Nina Cox Must Date (Girl Power Series)

Chapter 23 - Declan

Taylor's words repeat in my head often during the next days. He sure can't mean that... no, that's a crazy thought. We talked today during his lunch break. He was friendly as always and even wished me luck on my date.

I park at Waca Grill and take a look in the mirror. I made an effort with makeup and new clothes. My usual t-shirt and jeans have been replaced with a knitted gray dress. It feels comfortable. Maybe I should get me a few more.

"Hey Barb," I greet my friend and host of the restaurant.

"Oh, wowsie, Nina! You look gorgeous! You always do, but look at you!"

"Thanks. Tried something different,"

"Well done then. I haven't seen you in a while. Did you ditch us for another restaurant?" she winks at me.

"Not at all. Life has been busy. I'm waiting for a friend," I look at the dining area. "What is Taylor doing here?"

I walk towards him and hear Barb say something I can't understand. He looks handsome dressed in a navy blue shirt. He grins the moment he sees me. I grin back.

"What are you doing here? Do you have a date?" I ask and he looks at me in a weird way. "We talked earlier, and you didn't tell me anything,"

"Nina..." Taylor says in a surprised tone.

"Are you hiding something from me?"

Taylor stands up from the table and I take a step back. A loud gasp escapes me.

"You can walk, Taylor! Why didn't you tell me you can?"

"Nina, what is going on?" he says, but his voice doesn't sound anymore like Taylor's.

"Taylor?"

"Why do you keep calling me Taylor? It's me, Declan,"

I plop on a chair and place my head in my hands.

"I'm losing my mind," I whisper.

I feel a hand caressing my hair in a tender way.

"What is it?" Declan asks.

"I thought you were my friend Taylor. I'm sorry," I stare at the flatware on the table. A waitress comes to take our order, but Declan asks her to return soon.

"And you were surprised to see me stand up. Is your friend in a wheelchair by any chance?"

I look at him and he smiles at me. Taylor and he look alike so much. The same hair color, the same face. Declan only misses the faded scars on Taylor's face.

"He is,"

"Is his last name Reed by any chance?" his smile widens.

My mouth drops open. "Are you psychic?"

"No, but I have a cousin called Taylor who is in a wheelchair. I'm older than him, but people say we look alike," he leans back on his chair.

"Your cousin... How come he has never mentioned you?"

"I only moved here a month ago. Taylor and I didn't really grow up together and we only started messaging two days ago because my mom contacted his to get his number. I wanted to let him know I'm in town and that I bought a fixer-upper. Hopefully I'll have more time soon to work on it,"

"Oh, then I'm keeping you from your free time," I feel embarrassed.

"No, not at all. I didn't mean it like that. I'm glad to be here and I can use some rest from it all. I want to turn the place into a bed-and-breakfast, and it has been hard work and little sleep to renovate my bedroom. Everything else is not scheduled yet,"