[///ON HOLD///] Animal House (Rendezvous #2)

Chapter 16

"What're you doing here?"

Declan stared at Nora's brother that spoke, unsure which of the twins he was. One stood in front of him, his arms crossed over his chest, while the other sat on the couch with Denora in between his legs as he played a video game. The other twin and his daughter didn't turn at the question, too engrossed in the game.

"Date. With Nora," Declan answered simply. The brother in front of him narrowed his eyes. "So which one are you?"

"Ace. At least learn to tell us apart if you plan on dating our sister."

Declan raised a brow and couldn't resist teasing him. "Oh, I'm planning to do more than that. Soon, you'll be calling me big brother."

He opened his mouth to reply, but Nora's voice carried from her room. "I'll be just a few more minutes, Declan! Dane, don't say anything stupid!"

At her words, Declan turned to the boy in front of him once more. "Dane, huh?"

There was no guilt in his expression. "Like I said, learn to tell us apart. Not my problem you didn't know."

Denora heard her father's voice and turned to see him. She reached out her hands, grunting. Of course, he could never deny her commands and immediately approached to pick her up into his arms. The brother who had been holding her, the actual Ace, paused his game and looked up at Declan.

"It's not a date," he spoke. "Nora said tonight would lead to a resolution."

"That's what dates are," Declan explained. "Even boys your age should know that."

Ace stared at him before shaking his head. "You don't understand. Nora isn't playing around. After tonight, either we'll be stuck with you forever, or never see you ever again."

A strange shiver ran up Declan's spine, especially since he saw the boy wasn't joking. Even Dane remained silent in grim agreement. Declan assumed Nora had something important to talk about, considering her reluctance to even invite him out in the first place. He just wasn't aware it was something that her brothers had to warn him about.

Her invitation made him believe she was finally cracking. It seemed he assumed wrong.

"What is it?" he asked the boys.

They both shook their heads before simultaneously replying, "We don't know."

Then Ace unpaused his game and the eerie silence in the room was replaced with the sounds of clashing blades. Dane took a seat next to his brother on the couch and they both ignored Declan, no doubt to unnerve him even more. He looked at his daughter who stared right back, her wide eyes glittering.

"I'll still have you at least, right?" he asked.

Denora reached up and palmed his nose. He chuckled, relaxing a bit at her exploration. His face never failed to entertain Denora and she took her time exploring, poking his eye a couple of times or scratching his facial hair with her little nails.

Nora finally emerged from her bedroom after a few minutes and Declan caught his breath at the sight of her. She was usually eye-catching, but tonight, she didn't hide any part of herself away. She wore very light makeup that didn't hide her features, but instead, only highlighted them. Her big, round, green eyes weren't hidden away by thick glasses, and she let her blonde hair flow loosely around her shoulders in soft curls. Some strands framed her heart-shaped baby face and the sight reminded him of their first night together.

That night was the first time he saw Nora for who she really was—a beautiful, lonely woman whose self-doubt was hidden by a mask of cold indifference. Exactly the same woman in front of him now.