Not Pretending Anymore(43)

I exited the shower feeling refreshed and hoped Declan would be in a better mood when he returned. I’d just wrung out my hair when the doorbell rang. I thought it was a little strange that he was using the bell, but perhaps he’d forgotten his key.

Wrapped in my towel, I walked over to the door and opened it with a huge smile on my face. It faded when I realized it wasn’t Declan returning with the groceries. It was Julia.

I clutched my towel closer to my body. “Oh...hey. I thought you were Declan.”

Her eyes wandered from my head to my toes. “You thought I was Declan, so you answered the door in your towel?”

Is she seriously judging me in my own damn house?

“No. I answered the door in my towel because I live here, and the bell rang when I’d just gotten out of the shower.”

“Of course.” She nodded and made her way into the apartment without being invited. “Where is Declan?” she asked, looking around suspiciously.

“He went grocery shopping.”

“Ah.” She ran her finger along the granite countertop. “You mind if I hang out until he gets back?”

What the hell am I supposed to say?

“Sure.”

I went to my room to change. God, this sucked. I did not want to deal with her tonight.

As soon as I returned to the living area, the front door opened, and my and Julia’s heads turned in unison.

Declan’s eyes widened. “Julia, what are you doing here?”

“I was heading home from a late spa appointment. Since your apartment was closer than mine, I figured I’d stop by. I know you said you were just going to chill at home tonight, but I missed you.”

He feigned a smile, but I could tell it wasn’t genuine. “How come you didn’t text me to tell me you were coming?”

“I guess I wanted to surprise you?”

He looked over at me, and I could tell he was uncomfortable.

“I was just getting out of the shower when the doorbell rang,” I explained. “She hung out and waited for you while I got dressed.”

He smiled sympathetically at me, and turned to her. “Okay. I just wish I’d known you were coming. I would’ve bought extra bread. I only bought eggs.”

She looked between us. “Oh, I didn’t realize I was interrupting…dinner?”

Shit. I actually felt bad for Declan. She was definitely suspicious when this was just a platonic dinner between roommates. He was trying to do something nice for me, and she was probably going to give him shit about it.

“Declan was just going to make breakfast for dinner. Nothing fancy,” I said.

“Molly had a tough week, and it’s her favorite.”

“But…” I looked at him. “There should definitely be enough for everyone, right?”

Julia pretended not to care. “I haven’t been eating carbs anyway.”

Figures. Skinny bitch.

“I can make you a nice omelet,” Declan offered. “We have some veggies in the crisper. You like spinach, tomato, and a little feta?”

“I would love that. You’re so sweet.”

He’s being sweet right now because he has no choice. You forced him into it by showing up unannounced.

Declan smacked his hands together. “Okay, veggie omelet coming up.” He turned to me. “French toast for us, okay?”

“You know it. Of course.” I excused myself. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to dry my hair.”

After I disappeared into my room, my phone chimed.



Declan: I’m sorry she showed up unannounced.



Molly: It’s okay.



Declan: No, it’s really not. I know you wanted a chill evening.



Molly: Well, she’s here. And I would never expect you to tell her to leave. I’m really okay. This is your apartment, too. And you’ve been more respectful than you need to be. You barely bring her over. It’s fine.



Declan: I owe you one.



I sighed and turned on the blow dryer.

After I finished with my hair, I returned to the kitchen. “As always, that cinnamon French toast smells so good.”

Julia took a deep breath in. “God, you’re right. I wish I didn’t care what I looked like.”

Is that an insult?

Declan waved the spatula. “You’re assuming men don’t like a little meat on a woman’s bones.”

Thank you, Declan.

“Last I checked, you seemed to like these bones just fine,” Julia quipped.

Ugh. Barf.

Declan didn’t respond and resumed flipping the toast and tending to Julia’s annoying veggie omelet on the opposite burner.

He plated everything, and the three of us sat at the kitchen table together. Declan had bought my favorite orange juice with heavy pulp and poured it into wine glasses for me and him. Julia opted for water, since the orange juice apparently had too much sugar.

With his mouth full, Declan turned to me and asked, “How’s the toast?”

“Delicious. Thank you.”

He smiled in a way that looked like a silent apology.

“So, Declan tells me you’re dating a doctor from work?” Julia asked.

I wiped syrup off the side of my mouth. “Yes. It’s still new.”