Declan bit down on his anger. He couldn’t believe the paparazzi had found him and were intent on ruining his first date in ages. He really liked Zoe and didn’t want anything to frighten her off. He knew what it was like to live with this, she had no idea. Was it fair to ask her to even consider dating him? He was asking a lot, not just the usual stuff between boyfriend and girlfriend, she could have her whole life exposed to the papers.

Their food arrived just as they took their new seats. Only once they were alone again did Declan turn to look at Zoe. She seemed mesmerized.

“Listen, I don’t know what to say. I could apologize but the reality is, they’re part of my life. No matter what I do, I can’t seem to keep them at bay for long.”

“It must be horrible having people follow you around all the time.”

He looked at her with new eyes. She was trying to understand. He liked the fact she didn’t just dismiss the attention as part of the world he had chosen.

“It gets tiresome. But they don’t pay me all that money just to look pretty on a screen.”

Zoe tilted her head slightly to one side. He’d noticed she did that when listening.

“I guess I never thought of it like that before,” she said. “I don’t spend much time reading papers or magazines. Usually too busy.”

“So Dominic told me.” He winced at the look on her face. Why was he always saying the wrong thing? “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. I know you do a great job.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because he’s a great kid.”

She smiled, her eyes softening. “He is. He likes you as well.”

“Is that as well as his sister?”

She laughed this time. “That would be telling.”

He took her hand again. Her skin was soft, despite the job she did.

“So how did you end up being a mechanic? It’s an unusual job.”

“For a girl?”

“For anyone. Cars these days are so computer based, they’re mostly serviced in bigger dealerships. I would have thought running a small, family shop was a tough business to be in.”

“It is. Dad was a mechanic and his father before him and his father and so on. It’s a family tradition.”

“Ah.”

“Dad wanted me to keep the business going for Dominic. His son would be the fifth generation owner.”

“What if Dominic doesn’t want to be a mechanic?” Declan wanted to take that question back as soon as he asked it. The guarded look was back in her eyes.

“Dad didn’t give that any thought. He just decided that was going to be the way. He was very sure of what he wanted.”

“I see.”

“What?”

“Well, I don’t want to offend your dad’s memory but it’s Dominic’s life. He should be whatever he wants, don’t you think?”

Zoe was looking at him but hadn’t answered. Had he gone too far? She seemed very sensitive about this topic. “What about you?” he asked. “What would you do if you didn’t have the business?”

She stared at her hands. He wasn’t sure she was going to answer.

“I would like to design things. I have always been good with my hands but I guess if I had time I would design jewelry.”

“That sounds intriguing. I know about as many jewelry designers as I do female mechanics.”

Her eyes sparkled as he teased her. He liked the fact she didn’t seem to take offense easily.

“It’s not important at the moment. The business takes all my time. It will be a while before Dominic can take over. It’s called Clark and Sons.”

“So change the name.”

“Can we change the subject?”

Declan kicked himself. He had gone too far.

“Sorry, I tend to do this. My ma says I always interfered with other people’s business. I was a nosy kid. Guess I haven’t changed too much.”

“It’s okay, you were only making conversation. What made you become an actor?”

“I wanted money and lots of it. I also thought it would be a cool way to meet girls.” What had he gone and said that for? Sometimes he only opened his mouth to change his feet. She would be running for the door now.

“So romantic,” she said, rolling her eyes.

“I thought so,” he said. He had to try to recover from sounding like a dork. “I guess I was also lucky. I was in the right place at the right time.”

“How? Did you go to Hollywood?”

“Not likely. My parents couldn’t afford to take us on holiday in Ireland never mind go to America. They shot a number of films in Ireland, the Snapper, the Commitments and a couple of Hollywood movies. I got a part as an extra and ended up being one of the kids in My Left Foot. Only you don’t see a lot of me in it. Then another film came along and another and soon I was a regular. A big director, you know the guy behind the Action Man series, spotted me and the rest, as you say, is history.”

Declan hoped he didn’t sound too bigheaded. He’d been trying to be honest.

“Do you ever miss being not famous?” she asked. Which made her the first one in history to ever wonder that.

“Yes,” he said, deciding complete honesty was his best bet. “Especially lately.”

“Why now?”

He stared at her. Had she no idea or was she acting? She’d seen the circus coming through the door until he paid the manager to kick them out.

“What? Sorry, was that too nosy? We can talk about the weather if you like.”

“It sure is a fine day, isn’t it?” he said.

They both laughed.

She smiled at him and he wanted to lean over and kiss her. But he didn’t. It was too soon and he didn’t want to scare her off.

“We should get going,” she said when they’d finished their food. “Dominic will be home soon.”

“Why don’t we pick him up on our way back?”

“Cool, he’d love to be seen in a fancy car. Especially if you bring him cookies.”

“I can do that.”

They grinned like school kids as he paid the manager, leaving the promised tip. They got to the door before the flash of the cameras reminded them of their followers.

“Put your head down, don’t answer any questions and I will walk you to the car, okay?”

She nodded, taking his hand. He pulled her close, trying to shield her as much as possible. When he got to the car, he pulled open her door and bundled her inside. Then he turned to the photographers and reminded them he would sue if they tried to pursue his car.

They called out their questions, but he ignored them.