One Night Only by Catherine Walsh

Author:Catherine Walsh [Walsh, Catherine]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781800195646
Published: 2021-07-29T18:30:00+00:00

I tell myself it could have gone a lot worse. So much worse because for the next forty minutes I remain so incredibly aware of Declan you’d swear I had a tracking device implanted into my brain. Every time he reaches for the water, every time he shifts in the chair, I know he’s doing it. I don’t know whether I’m looking at him too much or ignoring him, so I start timing my glances every few seconds.

I can’t tell what he wants from me.

But I can’t concentrate either.

But somehow, with Will a surprisingly calming and steady presence beside me, I get through the business side of things, the design process, our expectations. I get through it all and thankfully Mika doesn’t seem to notice and she’s the one who seems to be in charge, asking all the right questions while making copious amounts of notes.

Eventually, there’s nothing more to say and we do the handshakes and goodbyes and take a cookie for the road as I open the door. My heart sinks as soon as I do.

Harvey and Matthias stand just beside reception, deep in conversation but both look up when they see me.

“Will,” Harvey asks with a frown. “Shouldn’t you be on the McManus call?”

Will’s eyes go wide with panic before he turns and rushes down the hallway. “Nice to meet you,” he calls back.

“Tough first day,” Mika murmurs to herself before Harvey steps forward to shake her hand. I linger to the side as he introduces himself, my eyes on Matthias as he stares at Declan, looking a little puzzled. I see the moment he recognizes him, his professional smile slipping in surprise, and I wince inwardly, knowing I’m going to have to explain. I’d told the man Declan was history and now here he is.

“Everything going alright?” Harvey asks.

“We’re very happy,” Declan says firmly and to my relief Mika nods. Harvey looks delighted, Matthias a little annoyed. His eyes flick to me almost accusingly and I know I need to break this party up.

“I’ll walk you out,” I say brightly before he can say anything. I herd Mika and Declan toward the elevator as quickly as I can without seeming rude. There are some polite goodbyes and I make equally polite small talk with Mika on the ride down. It’s only when we’re in the lobby do I risk a glance at Declan, who seems to have been waiting for a sign.

“You go on,” he says to Mika. “I think I’m going to get a juice.”

Mika hesitates, her eyes flicking between the two of us with a frown, but whatever thought is in her head, she decides not to follow it and turns with a shrug toward the subway.

We both watch her go until the moment she turns the corner and then for the second time that day I grab someone by the arm, towing him through a gaggle of tourists as I bring him down the street.

“Nice to see you too,” he mutters and I stop, whirling to face him.

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