Page 49 of Triumphant Kings

My eyes widen as my heart starts to race. “Hey, sweetheart,” Declan says, leaning in to press a kiss to the side of my cheek. “Grabbed this for you.” He places a piece of pie on the table in front of me. “If you have time, stop by the Host Club room. If not, that’s okay too. I’ll see you later.”

“Okay,” I tilt my head back to look up at him, letting him see my wild, panicked eyes. He smiles softly and leans down, his lips brushing against mine.

“Breathe, Sadie. Everything will be okay. No one matters but us, okay?”

“Okay.” My heart does a silly little flip when he gives me a soft, lingering kiss.

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

“Good, now eat.” He leans back with a sweet smile.

“Okay,” I say dumbly, and he chuckles.

“See you later, girls.”

“Byeeeeee.” They all say playfully at the same time.

“Bye, sweetheart.” He kisses me again before turning around and leaving the lunchroom.

“I think I’m going to be sick.” I groan, looking at my friends in horror.

“Everything is fine.” Emma laughs.

“That was so cuteeee,” Mia teases.

“Is everyone looking at me?” I ask, unable to take my eyes off Alice.

She looks around and nods her head. “Oh yeah.”

“I’m going to puke. Fuck me.”

“Breathe. In and out. In and out,” Emma says, humor still in her voice. “It’s not so bad. It’s the same way he told the world about the two of you before. He’s just reminding everyone.”

She does have a point. But still. “If I did that, it’s only going to lead me to hyperventilating," I groan, closing my eyes.

“Welp, that's one boy down, one more to go,” Alice helpfully points out.

“Don’t remind me,” I mutter.

Thankfully, my friends take pity on me and suggest we finish lunch outside, an offer I eagerly take.

After lunch, we all head to our next class. One that we all have together this semester: art.

“I’m so excited for a nude model.” Emma claps her hands excitedly.

“You have a boyfriend. Don’t be so excited over seeing another man naked.” Alice laughs, shouldering her playfully.

“I can look as long as I don’t touch.” Emma grins. “And don’t tell me you're not excited to see some man meat.”

“Eww.” I laugh. “Man meat, really?”

“What?” Emma laughs. “I mean, that's what it is.”

“First of all, never say that again. And second, no, I don’t care about seeing naked men. I have my eyes on someone else.”

We don’t miss the way Alice looks at Mia.