7. Ayla

Chapter 7

Ayla

I thought I’d see Declan out in his yard yesterday, but there was no sign of him. I was hoping to casually ask him if he’d go to the Fourth of July Festival with me, but in all honesty, I wasn’t going to give him a choice. It was going to be a fun day, and I wanted him to experience the joy of Magnolia Grove.

Since it was July Fourth, I dressed in my traditional tank top that was designed as the American flag, along with a pair of denim shorts. Then, to finish it all up, I put my hair into a ponytail and wrapped it with a red ribbon. I was ready to go.

I grabbed my phone off the bed just as it dinged with an incoming text.

Mom: Are you at the festival? I’ve been trying to find you. Diane has a question about a sore tooth, but your father went MIA with the other husbands. I think they’re off sneaking in some bourbon.

Shaking my head, I smiled. That was what my dad and his friends did every time there was a town festival. It was their way of getting away from the women so they could talk about manly things, which was mainly the art of cutting grass or their last score at the golf course.

I typed out a quick reply.

Me: Be right there. Have to make a quick stop.

After taking one last look in my dresser mirror, I pocketed my phone, grabbed some money out of my purse, and headed out the door. The sun was out full force, and I could already feel the sweat dripping down my back. It also didn’t help that I was slightly nervous showing up on Declan’s doorstep. We hadn’t spoken since he walked me home the other night where he avoided all my personal questions. I hoped to remedy that today and show him I could be a good friend who knew how to listen and not judge. Declan seemed like he could use someone to talk to; staying cooped up in his house had to be lonely.

My heart raced faster the further I walked up Declan’s driveway. When I got to the door, I took a deep breath and pressed the bell. A few seconds passed by, and more followed. I tried to listen for footsteps, but there was nothing. I rang the bell again and my stomach deflated. Either he wasn’t home, or he was avoiding me. I was hoping it was the former.

He could already be at the festival, but I highly doubted it. Not unless Linda made him go with her. She was a very persuasive woman. That woman never took no for an answer.

I backed away and was about to walk toward town when I heard quick thumps coming toward the door. The breath hitched in my lungs as I watched the door open, revealing a bare-chested Declan wearing only khaki shorts that hung low on his hips. His hair and skin were wet as if he just stepped out of the shower, and I couldn’t stop my eyes as they watched a rivulet of water drip down his muscled chest.

He opened the door wider and smiled, his gaze raking down my body. “Looks like someone went all out for the holiday. You look festive.”

I winked. “It’s the Fourth of July. This is what I wear every year to celebrate.” I stepped toward the door. “Which is why I’m here. I want you to come to the festival with me.” Declan sighed, and I could tell he was about to come up with an excuse not to go. Before he could speak, I held up a hand. “I promise it’ll be fun. And if you tell me no, I won’t go, either.”

Declan shook his head and laughed; that was a good sign.

“Are you always this difficult?” he asked.

My grin widened. “Always. It’s part of my charm. Also, if I’m not seen in town, people will show up on my doorstep asking why I’m not there. I’ll have no choice but to say it’s your fault. You’ll be blacklisted, for sure.”

Declan leaned against the doorframe, his smile making everything in my body tighten in ways I haven’t felt in a long time.

“Well, we can’t have that, can we?” he teased. “I’d hate for everyone to bring out the pitchforks.”

I shook my head. “Nope. And they will, too.”

Declan stepped back inside his house and chuckled. “Give me two minutes to finish getting dressed. I’ll be right out.”

“Sounds good. I’ll wait out here.” He left the door open, thinking I was probably going to walk inside. I really wanted to go in to see what it was like, but I resisted the urge.

Then again, it literally only took him two minutes to finish up and join me.

“Are we walking, or do you want me to drive?” he questioned, staring at me as he locked his front door.

I shrugged. “Walk? That way, if we happen to get some drinks, we can just stumble back.”

His grin was so sexy when he laughed. “I’m fine with that. Let’s go.”

We started down the road, and I could already hear the music and the people chattering from half a mile away.

“We don’t have to stay the whole time,” I said to Declan. “When it comes time for the fireworks, you can see them anywhere in Magnolia Grove. We can watch them in my backyard. Maybe even sit by the pool?”

“I’m following your lead, Ayla. I just don’t want you getting in trouble with the townsfolk. I can’t have their beloved dentist not enjoying the festivities.”

He bumped me playfully with his shoulder, and it warmed my heart. A part of me was afraid I’d show up at his door and get the grumpy Declan I met that first day. I was happy to see some warmth in his eyes.

When we arrived in town, there were people everywhere. If this freaked Declan out, he didn’t show it. He smiled and said hello to everyone who acknowledged him.

It wasn’t long before I saw my parents, surrounded by their many friends. My mother spotted us and waved her hands excitedly in the air.

Declan chuckled under his breath. “If I had my guess, I’d say that’s your mother,” he said, nodding toward the group. “You look just like her.”

And we did. We were the same height, and I had her chocolate brown hair and green eyes.

“You’re right,” I confirmed, reassuringly wrapping my arm around his. My father noticed us and waved. “And that’s my dad,” I added. “The tall one with the head full of gray hair waving at us.”

Declan glanced down at my arm, holding him close. “Afraid I’m going to run off?”

I giggled. “Hey, you can never be too sure. I promise we won’t stay around them long. They tend to ask a lot of questions, and I don’t want to put you through that.”

His smile slightly faded, and it only confirmed my assumption was right. If he was uncomfortable with my questions, I could only imagine how stressed he’d get with both of my parents bombarding him.

My mother rushed over and flung her arms around my neck. I let Declan go so I could hug her back. “Please don’t tell me the wine has already gotten to you?” I asked, laughing.

She stepped back and winked. “Not yet. It’s way too early for that.” Her gaze averted quickly over to Declan and her eyes twinkled. “I’m just happy to see you have a date.”

Declan gave her a knee-buckling smile and held out his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Carington. I’m Declan Parker, Ayla’s neighbor.”

My mother shook his hand. “You can call me Miriam.” She turned and pointed at my father. “And that’s David, Ayla’s dad.” My dad tried to walk through the crowd but was stopped by Gavin Taylor, the owner of Magnolia Hardware. He gave us an apologetic look and waved before focusing on the conversation. “Well, it doesn’t look like he’ll be getting out of that conversation anytime soon,” my mom said with humor.

I moved back closer to Declan. “No worries. We’re just going to walk around and grab something to eat.” Then, my focus landed on Diane, who was busy talking with the other ladies. “Does Diane still need me?”

My mom waved me off. “Oh no, she’s fine for now. Your father talked to her and told her what to do before she comes in to see you next week.”

“Okay,” I said, hugging her one more time. “We’re going to grab something to eat and walk around a little more.”

She let me go and placed a hand on Declan’s arm. “I hope you enjoy the festival. It’s one of many we have here in Magnolia Grove.”

Declan nodded. “I’m sure I will.”

Once my mother joined her group of friends, Declan and I walked around downtown Magnolia Grove. We each ate two hot dogs and finished them off with a huge slice of Linda’s famous red velvet cake. There was a whole table dedicated to just her cakes. She had to have made at least ten of them. By the end of the night, they’d all be gone.

My stomach was stuffed, and there were still a couple more hours before the fireworks show. Luckily, a vacant park bench was calling my name. It was nestled right in the shade beside a big-leaved magnolia tree.

“Do you want to sit for a bit?” I asked, turning to Declan .

He noticed the empty bench and placed a hand on his stomach. “Sounds good to me. I think that second piece of red velvet cake did me in.”

I giggled. “Tell me about it. If we didn’t snag them up when we did, there’d be no way we’d get any later. That table will be wiped out by nine o’clock.” We sat down and I pointed at all the trees in the park. “Can you see why Magnolia Grove is called Magnolia Grove?”

Declan chuckled. “I’m assuming it’s because of all the magnolia trees?”

“Correct,” I said, nudging him playfully in the side. “You’re a smart man.”

“It’s a nice town,” he replied as he looked around the town.

I detected a hint of sadness in his tone, but I didn’t want to spoil the moment by asking him personal questions. Right now, I just wanted him to enjoy being with me. When he started to turn his head toward me, I stealthily shifted mine and focused on the crowd so he wouldn’t know I was staring at him. He was a very good-looking man; it was hard not to look at him.

“Do you have to work this week?” he asked.

I focused back on him and stared right into his crystal blue eyes. “Nope. The office is closed. Most of my staff are leaving tomorrow for their vacations. Now, if someone calls in with an emergency, I’ll go in.”

His brows furrowed. “By yourself? What if someone needs a tooth pulled? You don’t need help?”

“Please,” I said with a snort. “I can do that in my sleep.”

Declan seemed impressed by the smile on his face. “Looks like you can do anything.”

I smirked. “I try.”

His phone started to ring and I watched him slide it out of his pocket. He stared at the screen for a minute, almost as if he was contemplating answering it. After rejecting the call, I saw his screen light up again. This time, he shut off his phone completely.

I waited for him to look at me, but he kept his focus on the people around us.

“Is everything okay?” I questioned. The tension around him was palpable.

Declan clenched his jaw and closed his eyes, sadness and anger radiating from him in waves. “I wish it was.”