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"So you’re not seeing each other?"

"We’re friends," I reply,sure Adam knows that the subject is closed

I didn’t lie Declan has been nothing but a co with me about our days as he walksjust a little farther away each day is so that I’ll deny until I take my last breath

I walk around the bar to where Declan’s sitting

"Hey, friend, can I get you anything?" I sh it’s true, why does it feel wrong?

"I’m fine" He shakes his head and offers me a smile, but his eyes look tired "I’ll just wait here"

"I can bring you a water if you like," I offer, but he sie his shoulder with ain, so I return to the bar and help Ada patrons

Finally, I slip into the back office to graband check my hair in the mirror, then join Declan "I’m ready"

He waits for me to lock the door, and then we set off down the sidewalk

"Hoas your day?" I ask, as I always do

"I can’t complain," he says, but doesn’t elaborate Silence falls between us, and I frown up at hi

"Well, " He smirks, but still won’t look me in the eye "I had to have a plumber come in to look at a toilet in the men’s rooht My wine order didn’t co Delaware for some reason that only God knows"

"Sounds like a busy day," Declan says I don’t knohat else to say, so alk a couple blocks in silence It’s getting cooler at night now, thankfully giving us a break fro through the trees Any other night, I would say that it was lovely

If I said words like lovely

But tonight I’rip his arm, and turn him toward me so I can look hi at you?"