Page 6 of Declan (Men of Clifton, Montana #53)

She nodded, but didn’t say anything, but continued to eat her shrimp, though her appetite was about gone now. She jerked when he touched her hand, and she looked at him.

“I’m sorry. I’ve had a rough day. I had planned to do nothing today but ended up showing four houses and I’m just beat. I sincerely apologize for snapping at you. That was not my intention.”

Elise smiled and gave him the benefit of the doubt. “It’s okay. We’ll see a movie.”

When he grinned, she wanted to believe he was truly sorry and would see how the night went.

After the movie, he stopped his car at the metal stairs and looked at her. “I’ll walk you up.” Then he opened the door, climbed out and stood beside the car, waiting for her to get out.

“What the hell?” she muttered. “No manners, whatsoever.”

“What?” he asked.

“Just muttering about how my feet hurt, so I’m more than ready to get inside and relax.”

“Well, maybe you shouldn’t wear shoes like that.” He nodded for her to go up the stairs and he stayed right behind her.

At the door, she unlocked it, then turned to look at him. “Dinner was wonderful.”

“You didn’t care for the movie though, did you?” he asked with a grin.

Elise couldn’t help but laugh. “Gory movies are not my thing. I like scary ones, but not bloody.”

“Maybe next time, then. And I would like there to be a next time, Elise. I know tonight could have been better and I promise the next one will be if you’ll give me another chance.”

She stared into his eyes, and they looked a little glassy, but she smiled and nodded.

“Sure, we can try again. Goodnight.” She turned to open the door.

“No goodnight kiss?”

“Not this time. Let’s see how the next date goes. Be careful going home, Stephen.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

Elise frowned. “I was just being nice. What is wrong with you?”

He blew out a sigh. “Nothing. Like I said, I’m tired. Goodnight.” He turned and ran down the stairs.

Elise frowned as she watched him get into his car, start it, then pull out of the alleyway. Most men would wait until a woman was inside before they left but apparently Stephen Johnston lacked a few manners.

She would, however, give him another chance. She knew how hard it was to go out at night after a long day. Yes, she’d give him one more chance.

Stepping into her apartment, she locked the door behind her, set her purse down, removed her sweater, then sat on the sofa and removed her shoes.

“ Maybe you shouldn’t wear shoes like that .

Seriously? Most men love them. Women wear them to look sexy, and he says that.

Next time I’m wearing flats. See how you like that,” she grumbled the entire way to her bathroom and after washing her face, she changed into a soft T-shirt and lounge pants, then crawled into bed.

She punched her pillow wondering if it was worth going out with him again. She would bet a year’s salary that Declan Cavanaugh had manners.

“Ugh, stop thinking about him,” she snapped, then rolled over, closed her eyes, and fell asleep.

The following week seemed to fly by, and it was Saturday afternoon and closing time. Though Frankie was at her class on Wednesdays, Declan didn’t pick her up and Elise missed seeing him.

“You really have to get that man out of your mind,” she whispered.

“Are you talking to me?” Brandy asked as she stood beside her.

“No. Myself. Again.” Elise sighed.

“Is everything alright?”

“Yes.” She looked at Brandy. “I’ve never asked, but do you have a man in your life?”

Brandy shifted her eyes away then back. “I have a woman in my life.”

“Oh! Okay. I didn’t know.”

“It’s okay, unless you have a problem with it and don’t want me here?”

“No. I mean, yes, I want you here. Brandy, whoever you see is your business and no one else’s. It doesn’t bother me in the least.”

“Thank God. I was going to tell you, but some people…”

“I get it. I’m fine with it.” Elise smiled.

“So, why did you ask? Are you having man trouble?” Brandy grinned.

“I am so attracted to… well, let’s just say a man, and he doesn’t seem the least bit interested. I could smack him upside his head at times.”

“It isn’t Stephen Johnston, is it?”

“No. Why do you say it like that? Is there something about him I should know?”

“I don’t want to say anything.”

“Oh, too late now, woman. Spit it out.”

Brandy sighed. “I don’t know anything about him, other than he gives me the creeps.”

Elise took her bottom lip between her teeth, then sighed. “There is something about him, isn’t there?”

Brandy nodded. “I don’t know what it is, but…” She shrugged.

Elise told her about the date they’d gone on last weekend. “Maybe he was tired. I don’t know, but when he snapped at me, I almost told him to just take me home.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“Because he seemed genuinely sorry about it and asked for another chance, so we’re going out tonight.

He’s taking me to the same restaurant, but he didn’t act like he liked the place.

I thought it was beautiful and had fantastic food.

” She shook her head. “We’ll see how it goes, but if it’s anything like last week, this could be the last time I go out with him. ”

“Good decision. So, if you weren’t talking about Stephen, who were you talking about?”

Elise looked at her, then away, and back again. “Declan Cavanaugh.”

“Oh, my. He is gorgeous.” Elise raised her eyebrow, making Brandy laugh. “Just because he’s not my type doesn’t mean I can’t see how good-looking he is.”

“True. I’ve tried talking to him when he’s been here to pick up Frankie, but it’s like pulling teeth to get him to talk to me.

I do know that he and Stephen don’t seem to like each other.

I have no idea why. I asked Declan, but he just told me to ask Stephen when he took me to dinner, then he left with Frankie. ”

“How did he know you were going out with Stephen?” Brandy frowned.

“Stephen made sure to mention it when he was leaving with his daughter. Now that I think about it, I’d bet he did it on purpose.”

“Sure sounds like it.”

“Well, since everyone is gone, go home, Brandy. I’m heading to my tub then I have to get ready for my date.” Elise smiled.

“Okay. I’ll see you Monday.” Brandy picked up her bag, then headed out the door.

Elise locked it behind her, then made her way up to her apartment.

Later, as she dressed for her date, she sighed. To be honest, she wasn’t really looking forward to this date. He seemed like a nice man, but there was just something about him that bothered her, and she couldn’t put her finger on it.

“It’s all in your head because you want Declan and Stephen doesn’t come close to him in any way,” she muttered, then shook her head. “Your mother would tell you to trust your gut.”

She tried to convince herself that tonight would be fun and if it was, she’d go out with him again, if he asked.

If she didn’t have a good time, it would be their last date.

Shaking her head, she knew this would be the last time she went out with him.

She was going to trust her gut and make her mama proud.

When he picked her up, he didn’t say anything about how she had dressed this time. She had decided on black slacks and a red blouse with red shoes with flat heels. He smiled at her, asked if she was ready, then walked out the door ahead of her, making her clench her jaw.