“I’m proud of you.”

My jaw drops at this declaration, and then he continues. “This bar is amazing. I was in earlier, looking for you, and took a look around. You’ve done a stellar job.”

“Thank you.”

“And you may have been strong in Denver, Cal, but it’s been doing this, living here, that’s brought out the best in you. Asking you to leave is wrong. You’re better here.”

Being with Declan has made me better.

I bite my tongue and soak in his words, not even realizing that I needed them. But I did. I do.

“You look good,” I say, calming down and seeing that he is making an effort.

“You’re beautiful, but you always were,” he says with the smile that got him in my pants in the first place.

“You’re not charming me,” I say with a chuckle. “I’m sorry that the club is struggling. Can I give you some advice?”

“I can’t guarantee that I’ll take it, but go ahead.”

“Stop being an asshole, and stop sleeping with your staff.” He shuffles his feet and frowns. “Yes, you do both of those things.”

“I don’t sexually harass anyone.”

“No, but you have to stop hiring women who will fall into your bed easily. In fact, maybe you should stop hiring women altogether.”

“Let’s not go crazy,” he says with a smirk.

“If you fuck them, they start expecting special treatment. And when that doesn’t happen, they quit.” I know I’ve hit my mark when he glances down and frowns.

“I didn’t have that issue before because you and I were exclusive,” he says.

“I know. But now you’re messing around, and enjoying it. But stop pulling from your staff, Keith. Because they won’t respect you, or be loyal to you, after you’ve gotten them naked.”

“Point taken.”

“You’ll be fine. You’re a smart man; you’ll turn it around.”

“I’m obviously an idiot for letting you get away so easily.”

“Well, that goes without saying,” I reply with a smile. “We all make mistakes.”

“Yes. We do. You’re mine.” His face sobers. “I was wrong, about a lot of things.” He steps toward me, and just when I think I’m going to have to kick him in the neck for coming on to me after telling him no, he simply folds me into his arms and hugs me tightly, gently rocking back and forth. “I was so wrong to tell you I’d never fall in love with you. I did fall in love with you, Callie. And I’m sorry if I ever hurt you.”

With that, he kisses my forehead, and pulls back.

“Thank you for that,” I say, smiling up at him. “You were an important part of my life for a long time, and I won’t forget that.”

He smiles, brushes his lips over my cheek, and turns to leave. As he moves away, I see Declan standing in the doorway, his eyes hard and trained on me. His whole body, usually loose and calm, is tight, every muscle on high alert, as Keith brushes past him.

“Sorry, man, she’s all yours,” Keith says, having no idea who he’s talking to. He looks back at me, “Take care, sweetheart.”

And with that, he’s gone, and I’m left squaring off with the man I’m hopelessly in love with. I have nothing to feel guilty for. I’m not the one who was out at dinner with someone new.

Neither of us says anything. We simply look at each other, both of our faces completely impassive, not giving away what the other is thinking.

I’ll be fucking damned if I let him see me cry. Hell no.

I simply fold my arms over my chest and wait. And after what feels like forever, Declan simply shakes his head and walks away.

Chapter Seventeen

~Declan~

“So what’s your news?” I ask Beth. She’s sitting across from me at Café Amalie, decked out in a red dress that shows off her curves and her long blond hair. She smiles slyly and leans an elbow on the table.

“We’ll get to that. First, how are you?”

“Great.” I’m short with her on purpose. I don’t want to be here. I want to be with Callie. I haven’t seen her in days.

“Okay, I see how this is going to go,” she says with a sigh. “Look, Dec, I know you weren’t thrilled to be stuck with me when Laura retired and left the firm.”

“I’ve never made that a secret,” I reply, agreeing whole-heartedly.

“I’m a good agent,” she stresses.

“You’re a decent agent, and if I hadn’t been under contract to stay with the firm, I would have left immediately. That contract is up in six months.”

“I know.” She nods and sips her drink. “But I’ve managed to keep you busy with work—”

“I’ve kept me busy with work,” I reply coldly. “You’re too busy trying to get in my pants.”

She blushes and looks at the candle flickering on the table. “Okay, let’s talk about that. Why not me?”

“Excuse me?”

“Oh come on, Declan, we all know your reputation.” She reaches out to touch me, but I catch her wrist in my fist.

“Don’t touch me.”

“I’ve made it clear that I’d like to sleep with you, and you never once took the bait. Why?”

“Two reasons. Because I’m not stupid enough to mix business with pleasure, Beth, and I’m not attracted to you.”