✧

When Declan drops me home later that evening, I have a smile practically tattooed onto my face. I'm going to feel like this forever. I hope. I'm praying. Because being with Declan is like you've won the most valuable prize. His company is the prize.

I have no idea how we've stumbled into this situation but I'm not complaining. I'm also not complaining about the fact that I asked if whatever is happening between us is going too fast—because what I said is true, I don't want him to regret anything.

I don't want to mess up this entire deal with Declan and the business because something happens between us.

If I'm honest, I don't exactly know how Declan feels for me but I can guess. He cares about me, that's obvious. He likes kissing me as much as I like kissing him. He certainly enjoyed that blowjob. But not rushing into things right now makes my heart settle because it tells me that I can be calm and laid back. I don't have to do everything a thousand times a minute.

Crazy Luca is no more. We hope.

As I walk up to my front door, Declan waits in his car until I get through the door. I smile at that gesture alone. The tightness of my heart makes me feel faint—but in a good way. As I walk through the door my mother is still awake, sitting in the living room watching the TV.

Her face lights up as I walk inside. "Ah, there you are."

"I told you not to stay up for me," I tut at her.

She waves me off as if it's nothing. "How could I stay up when I know that my son is on a date with the man that he really likes?"

A groan echoes from the back of my throat, eyes rolling in the process. "Mum, it wasn't a date." I clarify. At least I don't think it was a date. "He just invited me over for dinner."

Her eyes glimmer in my direction. "Sure, sure." She nods and purses her lips.

"Please don't ask me to give you the details," I begin to cringe when she continues to stare at me.

My mother shakes her head. "I don't want to know what you guys get up to," she chuckles gently. "I just want you to be happy. And I know you're happy around him. He brings out a new light in you, Luca. I haven't seen it for a little while."

I blink at her words and lean into the wall, folding my arms over my chest. "Really?"

"Really," she says confidently.

My lips press together as I hum. "Well it's not just that, the cafe too."

She smiles back at me. "Of course," she nods but I can tell she isn't convinced.

"Anyway, I'm going to bed," I say as I push off the wall. "Goodnight."

"Love you, my boy," she calls after me as I walk down the hall.

"Love you too, mum."

As soon as I'm in my room, I shut the door and stare at myself in the mirror. I'm still dressed down in Declan's clothes and I smile at the reflection. Happiness looks good on me. I can't remember the last time I looked at my reflection and flinched from the dullness of my expression, my eyes. Everything about me.

Maybe my mother is right. That spark has come back, I've been so deprived of life that I didn't even notice it. I might still be tired but waking up is easier, getting through my day is easier and then being rewarded with seeing Declan, it makes it all worth it.

I don't want to take his clothes off. I want to snuggle up to them and let his soft laundry scent wrap itself around my body tonight... see this is the side of me that is overwhelming.

A side that I don't want Declan to see yet because he'll realise that I'm obsessed.

Even an unhealthy obsession.

I climb into bed with his clothes still on and slip beneath the sheets. My eyes shut and even though I'm tired and content, I still can't sleep. I don't want to because I keep replaying tonight on loop. Remembering every little detail.

Declan brings me joy. He brings me so much damn joy.

I never want it to stop.

✧

On Saturday River throws Alex a birthday party at his apartment. It's been a while since I've been to a gathering at his house, it must have been his last birthday because I was stupid drunk and making a fool out of myself in front of Alex. I was ashamed.

I'm relieved to spend some time with my friends, have a drink and chill the hell out. I've been craving it since I heard about the party.

I turn up thirty minutes late but at least I brought alcohol along with me. When I step inside music is playing fairly quietly and River's apartment is packed. I say packed, the space is small which makes everything else exaggerated.

Demi and Troy are in the kitchen, River has his arm around Alex's shoulder as they speak to River's sister, Daisy and a girl that I don't recognise. A few friends from Alex's work, along with River's too. I know Alex didn't have that many friends when he came to town but I'm glad that he's got us now.

I walk across the room, Alex's grey eyes find mine and they light up. "Hey!" He exclaims and I step forward to give him a hug.

"Hey," I murmur into his shoulder. "Happy birthday."

He pulls away slowly. "It's not until Monday but thank you."

"I got you a present," I say as I pull the gift bag up to his hands.

Alex blinks and shakes his head. "You didn't need to get me anything," he says seriously.

"I had to," I shrug.

"Thank you," he smiles before opening the present.

It's nothing major, considering I really don't have loads of money to play with right now but I guess it's the thought that counts. Right?

Alex pulls out a recipe book I saw in the shop a few weeks ago. I remember when he told us about experimental foods and this book caught my eye instantly. His eyes scan the present and he glances at me, eyes softening. "Luca," he says softly and then hugs me again. "Thank you."

"What is it?" River appears at his side.

"A new recipe book but it's an experimental one." He flicks through the pages. "It looks incredible."

My cheeks hurt from smiling. Oh good, I'm so glad he actually likes it. I glance at River who nods in approval and then we hug before he hands me a beer and I place my alcohol in the fridge to cool down for a bit.

I walk over to greet Demi and Troy, along with River's sister and a few others I recognise. By the time I'm finished with my first beer, I've downed the next one. I don't remember this desperation to get drunk but I can't stop myself. It's not like I need to, I just want to.

That's the difference.

The party moves by in a flash. At one point I find my stomach growling and I wish Alex made his delicious food for the party, but at the same time it is his party after all. The alcohol has gone to my head and all I can think about is a juicy burger.

"So," Troy wraps an arm around my shoulders and tugs me towards him. Demi directly in front of us, sipping on her mocktail. "I've heard all about you and lover boy."

I roll my eyes. "He's not my lover boy."

Demi snorts. "I beg to differ, after the other–"

"Demi," I shake my head in her direction, her name slightly slurred. "Please, please don't."

She blinks once and then twice, grimacing at what she says next. "He already knows," she winces. "Sorry, I was so excited for you. I had to tell someone. And you didn't tell me not to tell anyone."

"Besides," Troy squeezes my shoulder and brings my attention back to him. "Why didn't you want me to know?"

I shrug. "I guess, I'm worried that it's too good to be true." Oh my, now is not the time to start getting sad about this. Not with the amount of alcohol that is currently pumping through my body.

"Oh give off," he pushes off me for a moment and draws his beer bottle to his mouth. "He likes you, for sure."

"Are you a mind reader?" I direct at him, my eyes becoming a little blurred. The sass in my voice is evident but right now I don't care

I definitely shouldn't have done that last shot of tequila. What was River thinking?

Troy's eyes light up. "I might not be a mind reader but I'm definitely a body language reader. I saw him touch your chin at the re-opening. He wants you badly."

After my little dinner date with him at his house, things were slightly confirmed of what's happening between us. We agreed to go slow, which is something you'd only say to someone if you were interested in pursuing them.

I hate that I'm second guessing myself because how does someone like Declan like someone like me? It doesn't make sense. We shouldn't even exist in each other's worlds because we're so different.

"Leave him alone," Demi scowls at her boyfriend before sliding in next to him. "It's a big step for Luca and I'm happy for you."

My lips curl into a smile but it instantly disappears when Troy dips his head down, tilts Demi's chin upwards and their lips collide against one another. I don't know why I stand here and stare at them, I force myself to move away. Only to find River holding Alex's face between his hands before he kisses him passionately.

Oh joy.

I find myself standing in the kitchen area, away from everyone and their greedy mouths. My hand slides into my pocket and I retrieve my phone, barely able to make out the screen because my head is feeling rather light and airy.

The alcohol is setting even harder now.

I attempt to scroll through my contacts and I click on Declan's name. I can't remember if he said he was doing anything tonight but I miss him. No shame. I really miss him. Seeing everyone in their couples, it makes me want to be with him. Even if I get to hear his voice.

My thumb presses the call button and I raise it to my ear. It rings four times before the line cuts. "Hey," his deep voice has my stomach rolling with pleasure. "Everything okay?"

"Hey, you" I lean onto the counter. That smile is back and it's bigger than ever. "Yeah, I just missed your voice."

Declan chuckles and it sends goosebumps over my skin. "Where are you?" He asks.

I sigh. "My friend's birthday party," I mumble. "It's fun, I had fun. That last tequila shot isn't sitting well in my stomach. I need to soak it up. Badly. Oh, so fucking badly."

The line is silent for a few moments. "Are you drunk?"

I chew on my lip and nod. "A little."

"Oh no, what are we going to do with you?" He teases.

"I might be drunk," I slur. "But I could eat a buffet. I'm so hungry. Everyone's eaten all the food and now I'm ravenous. You hear that? That was my stomach."

Declan's laugh makes my eyes water with happiness and satisfaction. If I wasn't so drunk, my dick would probably be hard right now. "Want me to come pick you up and we can grab food on the way home?"

I push myself up from the counter and blink in shock. "Wha–" I cut myself. "Really? Aren't you busy? You have a life. Probably a much more interesting life than mine."

"And miss out on seeing drunk Luca?" He says and I hear rustling, as if he's getting ready to leave. It makes my heart rate increase. "I don't think so."

My head turns to the wall. It's just past eleven o'clock. "It's late," I comment gnawing on my lip.

Is he really going to come out this late to see me? In my drunken state. It's going to be pure entertainment for him.

"If you don't want to see me, then you can just say." He says gently.

My eyes widen so quickly that I almost rip my face in two. "What?" I demand. "No. I want to see you, Declan. I really want to see you but I don't want you going out of your way for me and a damn cheeseburger. I might have said I'm hungry but I'm not going to starve to death... at least I don't think I will."

Oh fuck. What am I saying? Blame all that alcohol.

The line is silent. "If you want a cheeseburger, Luca, then we're going out to get one."

I can feel my heart pound aggressively in my chest. "I want you and the cheeseburger equally." I admit with a stupid amount of confidence. "Wait... was that rude? I'm not comparing you to a cheeseburger. I'm just so hungry and I really want to see your face. I want both, can I have both?"

Declan exhales and I know he's smiling through the phone. I can sense it. "You can have both, I promise."

My heart warms inside my chest and I clutch the phone tighter between my hands. "Okay, that sounds good."

"Send me the address and I'll be there soon."

"Thank you," I tell him gratefully.

"I'll see you in a bit."

I click off the call and send him the building address before locking my phone and holding it to my chest. Holy shit, he's coming to pick me up. I squeal inside and tell myself to keep my cool. No matter how drunk I am... keep your fucking cool.

✧

Read the rest of the book, bonus chapters and the first 48 chapters of the third book in the series over on Patreon and Ream!

www.reamstories.com/savannaroseauthor
www.patreon.com/dreammcatcher
Link is also in my bio!

Author's Note

I don't know what it is about 'you're drunk, I'm coming to get you' that I absolutely LOVE!😭🤭

Who is ready for Declan to see drunk Luca? hehehe

What did you guys think???👉🏼👉🏼👉🏼

This story honestly gives me butterflies😅

Don't forget to vote and comment! it makes my day ✨

Love Savanna x

Insta: savannaroseauthor
Patreon: dreammcatcher
Ream: savannaroseauthor
Tik Tok: SavannaWritess