Eyelashes | ✓

[17] Why Thank You

"Listen to me, Declan." Jo put both of her hands on Declan's shoulders, giving him a firm look in the eyes,

"My full name? Why?" Declan whined.

Jo rolled her eyes and smacked his chest before returning her hands to his shoulders. "Because I am being very serious. Now shut up and listen. No funny business here. Lila has been freaking out about this date all week. Don't mess up your suit, you look good." Jo couldn't help but let out how good he had looked. If anything she had downplayed how good he looked in a suit.

Declan ran his hands over his suit with a smirk, wiggling his eyebrows at Jo. "Why thank you."

Jo looked amazing too. Although she really wouldn't see Cal or Lila until after their date was over, she still decided to dress nice. She told herself it wasn't because Declan was going to be here, but deep down she knew it was. And her efforts paid off too judging on the way Declan couldn't take his eyes off of her. 

"Get that smirk off your face." Jo ordered. "Cal and Lily are outside. You are going to go out and act like a host and lead them to their cooking station, okay? Then come back here and get the tray of their ingredients after the cook comes out. Are we clear?"

Declan gave a goofy mock salute. After saluting he leaned down and pressed his lips gently against Jo's cheek. Immediately after, her cheeks erupted into heated flames. 

Declan grinned. "I won't fuck this up. Believe it or not, Cal is like a brother to me."

True to his word, Declan's role in the date went without a hitch. He served the food to the happy couple and came back just as ordered. Now, Jo and Declan stood in the window of the door to the kitchen watching Cal and Lila's date unfold. 

They sat close, Cal situated slightly behind Lila with his hands gripping hers. Together they slowly chopped an array of vegetables for their soup, all while Jo and Declan -- slightly jealously -- watched on. 

"Thank you." Jo said, turning around to face Declan. 

She hadn't known how close he was to her, so when she turned around her breath caught in her throat. Declan's did the same, and Jo watched with slightly wide eyes as his adam's apple bobbed when he swallowed. 

He was the first to step closer, sucking the breath out of Jo's lungs once again. "Jo." He said softly, his lips quirking slightly. His hands boldly went to her hips, gently squeezing them. He went to speak again, but then the kitchen doors were swinging open behind them. 

There was a loud squeal, and Jo and Declan looked up to meet the gazes of both of their best friends. Declan and Jo rolled their eyes, reluctantly stepping away from each other. 

"You're supposed to be on a date." Declan said, discreetly glaring at Cal. 

Lila was grinning like a kid on Christmas morning. "The soup is boiling so we have some spare time. We wanted to say thank you, but its clear that you two are a bit busy." Her smile morphed into a smirk to which Jo glared at.

"We'll be going now. I think the soup needs stirring." Cal wiggled his brows at Declan before grabbing his girlfriend's hand and dragging her off back to the stove.

When Jo turned back around to apologize for her friend, Declan wasted no time in taking her in his arms again and crushing his lips to hers. Jo was taken by surprise, but she quickly recovered and raised her hands to Declan's suit jacket, gripping it in her fists and pulling him closer. 

Declan's hands went to her cheeks as they molded their lips together. Both of their stomachs were full of thousands of butterflies. 

They broke apart for air, Jo almost immediately biting her swollen lip. One look in each other's eyes had the both of them grinning like idiots. 

"Want to go on that date early?" Declan asked. 

Jo smiled harder. "I'd love to."