The Intern: Enemies To Lovers

“I’m sure they did, especially Dominick. He’s got more dirt on me than a goddamn coffin.”

“Listen, we all have our pasts. I’m certainly no exception.” He reached forward to pound my fist. “I just want to make sure it doesn’t interfere with my sister. That one deserves to be treated right.”

After our knuckles tapped, I pulled my hand back and said, “She will be; you have no reason to worry.” I continued to read his eyes, weighing what he was looking for. “I owe you an apology for that night at the bar. I never should have said those things about Hannah. I especially never should have said them to you. That was fucked up of me.”

“It’s all good, man.” He paused. “Now that I’m living in LA again, we should grab a drink sometime.”

“For sure,” I answered. “I’d like that.”

He shifted, allowing me to pass, his hand patting my shoulder once I stepped into the doorway. “Have you met any of the family?”

“Just the side who works at the firm.”

“Ahhh,” he groaned, leading me toward the living room. “The brothers are all in here, so consider this your safe zone. The second you head that way”-he pointed to the dining room-“you’ll be unprotected, so expect to be bombarded for a solid hour, maybe two. Every aunt, great-niece, family friend is going to invade territories you’re unprepared for. If you need to be saved, just give me a look, and I’ll come get you.”

I laughed. “You’re a good man, Camden.”

“Food stations are everywhere, and the bar is over there.” He pointed one last time to the patio. “Help yourself.”

“I appreciate it.”

“Hey, Shaw,” Camden said as he took a few steps forward but then turned to face me. “You might have one hell of a reputation in the courtroom, but personally”-he grinned-“you’re like an open book, and I saw right through your bullshit that night.” His smile grew. “See you around.”

Jesus Christ.

Dominick had said the same thing.

I didn’t know if they were telling the truth or if they were just trying to get under my skin. Whatever the case was, I didn’t let it bother me as I walked toward my group of friends in the living room.

“What’s up, my man?” I said to Dominick, reaching around his shoulder to give him a man hug.

“I was wondering when you were going to show up,” he replied, slapping my back. “Good to see you, buddy.”

“Good to be here,” I responded, and I moved on to Oaklyn, giving her a hug. “I know I’m late. I had to stop at the store to find a bag that would fit her gift.”

When choosing what to get Hannah, I hadn’t consulted with her best friend, but I’d let her in on the surprise. Since Oaklyn was usually home whenever I went to their place, we’d had plenty of time to discuss the present.

“She’s going to die when she opens it,” Oaklyn said. “And she’s going to be so thrilled when she sees that you’re here.”

“Where is she?”

Oaklyn shrugged. “Around-you know, hostess with the mostest.”

I gave her a smile, and then I moved around the rest of the circle, shaking hands with Kendall, then Jo and Jenner, and Sydney and Ford. Lastly, I stopped in front of Hannah’s princess.

I knelt and stuck out my fingers, saying, “Hello, Everly.”

She held her dad’s waist and squeezed my hand with an impressive grip.

“I’ve seen you at the office before, but I don’t think we’ve officially met,” I said. “I’m Declan. I work with your dad, and I’m a friend of Hannah’s.”

“Hannah had better not be your best friend ’cause she’s my best friend.”

I laughed. “I would never take her away from you; don’t worry. You know, she talks about you a lot.”

Her eyes lit up. “She does?”

“She tells me how much you love her cupcakes.”

“We make pink ones together. You need to try a pink one, Mr. Declan. Those are the bessst.”

I could see why Hannah was completely enamored with Everly.

“I’ll have to tell Hannah to bring me a pink one,” I said. “Sounds like I’m missing out on something amazing.”

When she nodded, her little curls bounced. “You are!”

Just as I started to rise, I caught eyes with Hannah. She was outside, chatting with a small group of people, her face glowing as she stared at me. I knew it wasn’t from the hot California sun.

It was from this.

Last night.

Us.

She said something to the group she was speaking to, and then she made her way inside, not stopping until her arms were around my waist.

With my only free hand, I gripped the back of her head, holding her against my chest, whispering, “Hello, gorgeous,” into her hair.

A quick peek around showed me we had an audience. Family members in this room and the adjoining one were glancing in our direction, and so were the brothers and their girls along with Oaklyn and Camden.

Everyone was taking us in.

Oaklyn even sang, “Awww,” at some point.

Hannah gazed up at me. “I’m so happy you’re here and …” Her cheeks flushed as she realized we had a spotlight. “Everyone and their mother is staring at us right now, aren’t they?”

I tried to ignore all the attention and handed her the bag. “For you.”

Emotion began to fill Hannah’s eyes.

“Congratulations, baby. I’m so proud of you.”

She took the bag from my hand, and I could tell she was surprised by the heaviness of it. “You did not have to get me anything. Last night was more than enough.”

“What happened last night?” Dominick asked.

I laughed.

Hannah rolled her eyes and looked at them. “Shouldn’t you all be in your own conversation and not snooping into mine?”

“But you guys are just too cute,” Oaklyn teased.

“And they’re so entertaining,” Ford added as he lifted Everly.

“Yeah, I second that,” Jenner said.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Hannah’s attention returned to me. “Did you meet Everly?”

“Yesss!” Everly answered for me. “You owe Mr. Declan a pink cupcake!”

“Is that so?” Hannah said as she looked at Everly. “Maybe I need to bring Mr. Declan with me the next time we bake together, and you can give him one of your cupcakes. How does that sound?”

“Yay! I like sparkles everywhere. Do you like sparkles?” Everly asked me.

“I think Mr. Declan likes extra sparkles,” Dominick responded. “And his favorite color also happens to be pink.”

“It isss?” Everly asked, her mouth hanging open.

I gave Dominick a look and then glanced at Everly. I couldn’t disappoint the kid, and I feared the truth would crush her. “Pink’s cool,” I told her. “I can definitely hang with some pink.”

“Hannah, I can bake with Mr. Declan. He’s fun.”

I smiled at Everly.

And then Hannah grinned at me. “Everly’s approval is a huge deal, just so you know. She doesn’t let anyone bake with us.”