Chapter 5
Once we were off campus, Declan walked behind me, his hand on my shoulder as he steered me into a little restaurant.
We were on the same wavelength. I actually wanted to come here too, since they had private rooms.
Even if I ended up fighting with Declan in here, no one outside would see a thing.
I walked into my usual private room, feeling pretty pleased with myself.
Declan followed right behind me, and as soon as we got in, he started stripping off his shirt.
"Huh? What are you doing? Why are you taking your clothes off?" I stared at him in shock.
"It's hot in here. Aren't you hot, too?" Declan said.
He tossed his jacket onto the corner of the couch and sat down right across from me.
It was only then that I realized he was rocking a gray t-shirt.
Gray really made him look even broader.
His chest looked even more sculpted, every line and curve showing through.
Honestly, I felt super awkward just sitting there staring at him like this.
After ordering a few dishes, Declan picked up the menu and handed it to me.
But when I glanced at the screen, I realized he'd already picked out everything I was craving.
I gave him a look, trying to play it cool.
Okay, maybe he actually had some taste. He really did pick all my favorites.
Most of my annoyance with him just melted away.
I cut straight to the chase. "So, why did you hack my laptop?"
Declan shrugged, raising an eyebrow at me. "Then why'd you write all those spicy stories about me? Is it because you like me?"
Was he for real? That was way too blunt.
There was no way I was admitting that.
"Everyone at school is obsessed with you. I just wrote those stories for them, not for myself," I said.
Declan just went, "Oh," and took a lazy sip of his juice.
He shot me a doubtful look.
"Seriously, it's not just me. Everyone writes that kind of stuff," I said.
Declan's smile lit up his whole face, his eyes turning into little crescent moons. He looked even more like the campus heartthrob, all sunshine and charm.
I couldn't help but stare, completely mesmerized.
Did he even realize how dangerous his smile was?
Declan nodded. "Alright, I'll take your word for it. But honestly, I haven't read anyone else's spicy stories about me yet."
As soon as he said it, that scene from the day I caught Declan flashed through my mind.
He was jerking off.
I grabbed my juice and took tiny sips, trying to hide how awkward I felt.
Declan noticed how weird I was acting, and when realization dawned on him, his cheeks flushed instantly.
So when the waiter came in with our food, he found two people blushing hard, awkwardly sipping their juice, and avoiding each other's gaze.
The waiter's arrival actually helped break the tension a bit as he moved the plates around.
The heat in my cheeks finally started to fade.
Before leaving, the waiter gave us a knowing look and said, "Hey, even with four your person-people, don't get up to anything weird, okay?"
Declan and I instinctively glanced at each other, then both immediately dropped our gazes, faces burning with embarrassment.
Whenever things got awkward, one just ended up fumbling around like an idiot.
I nudged the plates toward the center of the table, hoping it would distract from how flustered I was.
Staring at the mouthwatering roast turkey in front of me, I couldn't care less about anything else.
Declan was being super attentive, serving me food, wiping my fork, handing it over, and pouring me water.
Honestly, even though he could be a jerk sometimes, he was genuinely a gentleman.
I was happily enjoying my meal, and Declan was starting to look a lot more tolerable.
The atmosphere in the private room gradually relaxed.
"You're not allowed to peek at my laptop anymore," I said.
Declan paused mid-bite, his brows drooping. He looked just like a big dog who'd just been told he couldn't play fetch.
"But I'm the male lead. Why can't I check it out?" he protested.
He added, "Plus, I even help you fix your typos while I'm reading. Seriously, where else are you going to find such a considerate reader?
"And how am I supposed to know you're not dragging me through the mud in your story, messing up my reputation as a top student, a good guy, and an all-around awesome dude?"