I can’t believe I just said that. But something about the way he looks at me makes it impossible to think clearly.

I feel like he’s already undressing me with his eyes, like he’s about to climb over this table and take me at any second. And the craziest part? Even though we’re in a very public place, this little game of cat-and-mouse we’re playing has me so turned on that I’d probably let him. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him like that since we kissed in the parking lot outside the studio.

“Fair enough.” His chuckle is low and warm. “Okay, then why don’t you tell me the truth about why you were having such a shitty Tuesday?”

His question catches me completely off guard. It’s not that I can’t or won’t talk about it with him, it’s more that I don’t want to be a downer for what has turned out to be a fun night. But more than that, I don’t want him to feel sorry for me or treat me any differently—because that’s easily the worst part of the whole “dead twin brother” thing. People change when I tell them, and it’s rarely for the better.

“You don’t have to tell me, but I’d like to know if you feel comfortable sharing,” Declan adds as the bartender drops off our food, and there’s something about the gentle sincerity in his voice that lifts the weight I was feeling just a moment ago. Maybe it’s irresponsible of me since I barely know him, but I feel like I can trust him with this.

“It’s okay,” I say, taking a small bite and swallowing. “I just don’t really know where to start.”

He reaches out to rest one of his hands on mine, and I have to fight back a shiver. A sigh slips between my lips instead, and although my immediate instinct is to pull away out of fear that someone will see us seemingly holding hands like this, I remember that no one is here besides the bartender—who isn’t paying us a sliver of attention anyway.

Declan traces slow circles against the back of my hand, making tingles spread up my arm. His eyes snap to mine, and I feel like he’s seeing into my soul. “Start wherever you feel comfortable. I’m listening.”

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I have a twin brother, Casey. Or I guess I should say that I used to have a twin.” Declan’s brows creep together, and he squeezes my hand. “He had cancer, and the other day was the ten-year anniversary of his death.”

“Oh shit, hummingbird. I’m so sorry. I had no idea. That must have been impossible to get through.”