Resent, Reject, Regret by Aqua Summers

Chapter 526 Did You Smoke?

Deirdre was all smiles and joy, her tone playful and adorable. But Declan sniped a concerned glance at Kyran and saw an icy visage shadowed by guilt. His eyes were so hollow and devoid of light they could have belonged to a corpse.

“Let me do the honors, Miss McKinnon. Kyran’s a little tired from the drive.”

She stopped, stunned for a moment, and smiled. “Well, I won’t say no to that. Thanks!”

Declan rolled up his sleeves. “Pleasure’s all mine. Working in the kitchen could probably help me sober up.”

He stepped into the kitchen and began looking. He found it easily enough, but as he passed it to Deirdre, she thanked him and asked, “Did you really drink?”

He paused. His smile became a little mechanical. “What do you mean?”

“You don’t smell like you had booze. You smell like cigarettes.”

The smell probably left on the journey,

hummed noncommittally. “I get the necessity of social events with customers and clients, but I sure hope

don’t even like those poisons. It’s

Declan helped Deirdre lay it out on the table when the meal was ready. The young woman said, “Time for

There was no answer.

the living room and found no sign of him. “The man told me he didn’t have enough rest yesterday, so I guess he must be taking a power

later. We’re not in the middle of the summer, so I

together. It seemed ennui spurred Declan into a conversation machine because he and Deirdre had a very lively conversation involving all kinds of topics. The

to settle back in Eastgene when it happened, right? Sorry. You had to rush all

was nothing,” replied Declan, smiling. “I don’t want to stay in that dump, and you gave me the perfect excuse to hightail out of there. But well… Now is

Deirdre got up the

as it opened,

little,”

That much Deirdre could tell. The stench was so thick it

Deirdre asked, “Why?