Chapter 19
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“And then he says to me, I understand all of that, but why do you keep texting about ducks?” Janice recalls her first experiences with autocorrect, and I laugh hard, my sides aching with how much fun we’ve had talking over dinner.
Everyone around the table is smiling and wiping away happy tears, and I’m taken aback by how even more attractive Lucas and Declan are when they laugh and how warm I feel around them. They look handsome out of their business suits.
Sexy, even.
Lucas looks completely relaxed in his dark gray jeans, and his black fitted turtleneck is a distraction every time he reaches across the table. The flexible material in the thin sweater defines his muscles more than his business suits do, and I found myself lost in a couple of conversations as my brain worked to focus on words instead of the sight before my eyes.
Declan controlled most of the conversation during dinner, the way he usually does in the office. Tonight, he traded in his suit for dark blue jeans and a gray zip–up that hugs his body like it was custom made for him. Add that to the smell of citrus in his cologne, and he’s almost good enough to eat.
I caught more than one glance from the waitresses and felt a little pang of jealousy because I don’t have the luxury of looking at them like they do. Like I could ever have anything more than a working relationship with them.
I was right about Janice though—she does love to talk. I’m not complaining. She’s more boisterous away from the office. I like this side of her, too.
Dinner was beyond delicious. Is there a word to describe eight levels above yummy? Because that’s what it was. The food was served family style, on plates that we could just pick and choose from, and every dish was better than the last.
Our conversation kept flowing as dessert trays replaced dinner plates. As the sweet smell of sugar fills the room, Lucas pulls out two boxes, placing them on the table in front of him. I follow Janice’s lead as she removes the napkin from her lap and places it on the table.
Declan clears his throat and smiles. “Lucas and I want to thank you both for joining us tonight. Janice, I sometimes think we don’t praise you enough. And Jayne, having you on our team these last two weeks has been amazing, and these dinners are important reminders for all of us.” Lucas is glancing between me and Janice with an appreciative look as Declan continues. “We have something extra for you, to say we know how hard you both work.” He motions to Lucas, who hands us each a box.
I take it, unsure if I’m supposed to open it right then and there. But before I can decide, Janice is already tearing into hers, so I follow along.
I faintly register Janice’s gasp from across the table as I pull out a gift card and my mind blanks.
All sound in the room seems to mute as I do a double take at the dollar amount. At first, I think there must be
a mistake, and as I count the zeros, I’m positive someone has added two too many.
My idea of a gift card is right around the fifty–dollar mark, but this? This is-
9:41 Mon, Sep 22
Chapter 19
Five thousand dollars.
This can’t be right.
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1 sense the weight of two sets of eyes on me.
I’m so shocked that I don’t even register the words coming out of my own mouth. “This is too much. I can’t accept this.” I look up to see Lucas and Declan staring at me with gentle smiles on their faces.
“Of course you can.” Declan says matter–of–factly, and I look over to Lucas, who seems to be contemplating my reaction as he trails one finger slowly along the side of his glass.
“Just wait until you see how much a skirt costs in that place. It’s one of my favorite stores.” Janice beams at me in an attempt to make me feel better. Then she looks between the boys. “But you’re right, Jayne. This“-she holds up her card-“is considerable.”
“You are worth every penny, Janice.” Lucas leans in and smiles.
“Thank you. This is very generous.” My voice is soft, and I set the card aside and turn back to the box.
As I explore, Declan begins to describe the true extent of their appreciation.
“Lucas and I wanted to give you both a paid day off as well. So, Monday morning, you will meet at the office at nine o’clock, and a driver will take you both shopping with your store credits. We also have a lunch and some spa time set aside for you. We’ll both manage the office while you are gone, so don’t worry about us. And Jayne, I don’t want to hear about too much. The gift card is also a selfish gift, as you will be buying clothes for work.” Declan smiles firmly and narrows his gaze at me. I nod my head and smile back in compliance.
If it had been anyone other than Declan or Lucas, I would have argued more, but I know this will please them, and I don’t want to upset them by refusing their generosity.
I look back up to see Declan and Lucas exchange an obscure glance with each other. Janice is all smiles as she looks through her gifts.
After another fifteen minutes of dessert, Janice stands to announce that she is officially getting too old to stay out late and grabs her things to leave. It’s still early, but if the group is going to head out now, then I’m okay to leave, and I start packing up.
Lucas stands and offers to walk Janice out. As I am rummaging through my bag for my phone, Declan reaches across the table and puts his hand on my arm, startling me and causing me to take a deep breath.
His voice is low, but it jolts me out of my thoughts. “There’s no need to run off so soon. Lucas and I are sticking around for a bit. Stay.” The last part isn’t a request so much as a direction, and I set my purse on the floor by my feet as Declan reaches across the table to pour me a glass of water.
“Sure” Really? That’s all I can come up with–sure?
I grab my glass and take a large gulp of water. The cold liquid feels refreshing going down my throat.
The glances Lucas and Declan shared tonight are putting me on edge. I have knots in my stomach at the thought of socializing with either of them outside of the office.
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Chapter 19
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Something about all of this feels surreal. I may have to chalk this feeling up to too much wine and sugar, but right now, I’m enjoying myself, even if they are just being kind.
“Good girl.” Declan’s voice is seductive, and I shudder at his odd choice of words. My heart thuds into my chest at his approval.
We sit in a weighted silence as Declan observes me.
Yup. That’s the word.
Observe.
I am being studied. He’s looking for something, and my poise begins to falter under his watch.
His whole body is now commanding my attention, and he doesn’t back down from keeping his eyes locked on mine. Even after I’ve looked back at him, challenging his stare, he doesn’t break away. My stomach flutters when the tension between us builds past the boundaries of my comfort zone, and I drop my eyes to the table.
Our silence is broken when Lucas enters. He stops to look between us as if he’s just learned a secret. He turns silently to close the door behind him, and something clicks into place as Declan shifts around to my side of the table. I turn to look at his face, and it’s now that I notice just how quickly he’s moved to sit closer to me.
His eyes are still examining me. I am his only focus, and he’s placed one arm on the couch behind my upper back. Unease fills my stomach, and I need to buy myself some time to figure out what is happening before I make a mistake and embarrass myself in front of my bosses.
I only manage a meek smile as I attempt to put some space between us. I casually move to the other side of the couch when I feel it.
Lucas is on the other side of me, caging me in. He shifts to get comfortable, and he seems to be waiting for something. His focus is on me, but he isn’t looking directly at me. Instead, he is glancing around the table as though he didn’t just slide right up into my business.
And the silence. Oh god, the silence. The silence is screaming at me.
Yet here they sit, calm and in control. Unaffected by whatever is raining down on me right now.
“Um.” Great. Now I seem to have lost control of the English language. I don’t even know where to start. They are always joking around at work. Are they just fucking with me?
The sound of my voice seems to have set something in motion, because now I have their complete attention. Lucas has shifted his gaze squarely on me, and the intensity of his stare rivals that of his brother’s. He leans in and places his hand on the back of the couch as well, and then I sense it.
All at once, I know this isn’t a joke.
Everything shifts. My skin tickles as goosebumps spread across my body, and I need to catch up to the conversation I think we are about to have,
In an instant, my mouth goes dry, and I reach for the last of my water. Taking my final gulp, I shift my eyes to look between Declan and Lucas, and all pretense is gone.
9:41 Mon, Sep 22
Chapter 19
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The air around me has suddenly become thick. My chest is heavy, and the whooshing of my heartbeat pulses in my ears.
I realize, too late, that there is one more course to our dinner tonight, and I’m it.
9:4
Chapter 20
