But again, it was fate, colliding them together again. He wasn’t even supposed to be there. Winston texted him to come, to get him out of his funk from the loss of Charlotte (again) and the impending loss of his father.
Declan had rushed over to her quickly as she babbled to the friend she’d come with, a woman Declan recognized but couldn’t quite place.
“Charlotte?” he said. “I didn’t know you’d be here.”
“Yes, well,” she couldn’t look at him. “Had I known you would be present I wouldn’t have come. I was invited by Allyn, and it sounded like a good time. But as usual, you show up. Every damn time, Declan. In the moment I’m beginning to forget…” Tears were falling down her face now. “I wish you’d just go away.”
Allyn (Legare! That’s who she was. He remembered now) looked Declan up and down, “I don’t know what you did to her, but you need to get out of here, Declan. She was perfectly content before you showed up. And I swear to God, if you hurt her…”
Charlotte shook her head, “It’s not like that, Allyn. It’s a long story. It’s just really painful to see him. Really, I should go. I’m the guest and he was invited.” Charlotte rose, gathering her long skirt up so she could walk out quickly.
Declan spoke, “Charlotte. Please. Let me at least get you home. I promise, I will leave you alone after that. I’ll never go to my house again, I’ll sell it this week if you want me to and I will stay as far from you as I possibly can. But let me get you home and let me at least explain something. I don’t deserve it. I know that. But I need it, Charlotte. And not that I have any right to ask any more of you, but I’m afraid if you don’t let me have at least one more conversation with you, it won’t be good for me. Because I can’t know I’ll never speak to you again without you giving me one last chance to explain everything. Charlotte, please.”
Charlotte looked up at him, at his kind face, at the same eyes that had found her helpless on a bridge over ten years ago. When he’d found her then, he hadn’t known what his mother had done. He was innocent of wrongdoing-he’d helped her only because he’d wanted to.
Despite her anger at him, she couldn’t say no to those eyes.
“Okay, Declan,” Charlotte agreed. “Just one more time.”
********
Declan had not expected her to say yes. He’d never been so grateful for something.
“Thank you,” he said, offering her his arm. “Do you want to get a bottle of water before we go? Something to eat?”
“Charlotte, are you sure you want to leave?” Allyn said, her eyes narrowed at Declan. “I still think you should stay and Declan should go.”
Charlotte shook her head, “I’m sorry, Allyn. I just want to be home. But I promise to call tomorrow. And have this dress cleaned.”
Allyn shook her head, “I’m not worried about the dress. But you must call me. Actually, text me as soon as you’re home so I know you’re okay.” She looked up at Declan. “I don’t care if you’re a DeGraff. If anything happens to her, I will kill you. Got it?”
Declan smiled, “Hey, I get it. You’re a Legare anyway. They’ve always held a little more weight around here than any DeGraff.”
Charlotte hugged Allyn, thanking her for everything, “I really do feel like a princess.”
“You’re better than any old stuffy princess,” Allyn said. “But seriously, you call me. If you need anything. I don’t care what time it is.”
Charlotte agreed, “I promise I will.”
And with that, Charlotte took Declan’s arm and they headed out the same door they came through. It seemed like the entire ballroom was staring at them as they left.
“Well, that was awkward,” Charlotte said as they finally exited out onto Meeting Street. It was summer but the air was cooler than normal, with a breeze.
“I’m really sorry,” Declan said. “If I’d known you were there…”
“You would have come anyway,” Charlotte finished. “Let’s be honest.”
Declan laughed, “Yep. Probably so.”
“Where are you parked?” Charlotte asked. “Or should we Uber?”
“I guess you forgot,” Declan smiled. “I only live like two blocks down. Or my dad only lives two blocks down. I was visiting him today.”
“Oh,” Charlotte said. “So I guess I’ll just get an Uber.”
“No,” Declan said. “I’m glad to drive you back to Sullivan’s.”
“Well, I don’t want you to have to do that and then come back here. It’s too much,” Charlotte said. “And I don’t know how much longer I can be near you.”
Declan stopped.
“You hate me that much?” he asked.
Charlotte looked up at him, “No. I could never hate you. But seeing you is painful, Declan. You represent a lot of hurt in my life. And a lot of beautiful at the same time. Fuck.” She wiped tears from her eyes. “I don’t know what to do when I’m around you. I want to run from you, but then I want you to chase me. I want to push you away while also wanting you desperately to hold me. How is that possible?”