Page 124 of A Convenient Secret

Margot recovers quickly with a faux laugh. “Come on, Declan. The children are old enough to have an evening without you hovering.” Her voice dips, turning honeyed. “And you could use a break. A little fun.”

I’m standing right here, for fuck’s sake. I have no public claim on him, but get a room. Or not. No rooms for her and Declan.

But some decency. Who arranges their dates openly in front of others?

Declan’s shoulders tense, and this time, when he speaks, his voice cools by a few degrees. “I don’t need a break from my children.”

Margot waves a dismissive hand. “Of course not, but I imagine you could use a break from… everything else.” Her gaze flicks to me again—this time lingering just long enough to feel like a deliberate slight.

Declan straightens, his expression carefully neutral. “Margot, this is Lily Thorne.”

Margot offers a tight, insincere smile, but doesn’t extend a hand. “Ah. The nanny.”

I’ve dealt with small-minded people all my life. I open my mouth, but Declan gets there first.

“No,” he says, his voice firm, final. “She’s not the nanny.”

Margot blinks, finally caughtoff-guard. “Oh?”

Declan puts his hand on the small of my back. “Lily is with me.”

There’s a beat of silence. A charged, palpable pause. Oh shit. I wish I could celebrate this public display of his intentions triumphantly. And a part of me indulges in the feeling. If only things were so easy.

Margot’s lips tighten at the corners, her carefully maintained poise slipping just enough for me to see the irritation flash behind her eyes.

“Well,” she says, forcing another smile. “That’s… unexpected.”

I arch a brow. “Is it?” I say sweetly.

Declan’s lips twitch, just barely, and I know I’ve won this round.

Margot’s nostrils flare before she turns sharply on her heels and disappears into the sea of parents.

I try not to roll my eyes, feeling the circle of mothers’ eyes on me. When I glance up, I’m met with an amused expression. Declan is watching me, clearly not concerned about the crowds.

His lips twitch. “You’re jealous.”

I scoff. “Am not.”

His expression turns downright pleased. “You didn’t like her touching me.”

“I didn’t like her existing,” I grumble.

Declan chuckles, low and knowing, before leaningin, his breath warm against my ear. “You have nothing to worry about, Seagull.”

A shiver runs down my spine, and I don’t even bother pretending it’s from the air conditioning.

Declan pulls back, his hand on my lower back again as he steers me toward the lemonade station. “Now, let’s find the twins before you start plotting Margot’s disappearance.”

I lift my chin. “You assume I haven’t already.”

He chuckles. “Let’s save the kids from sugar poisoning and get out of here.”

“Has your mom left?”

He groans. “Right, we need to weave through this crowd to find her as well.”

“Daddy,” Zoya calls out, and we both relax, finding her with Zach and Dorothy.