Declan didn’t come over last night.

I know because I lay awake the entire night waiting for him to show up. When my dad’s alarm clock sounded off in the living room, I gave up waiting and dragged myself out of bed.

I’m not sure what I thought was going to happen. Maybe I thought that he was going to climb through my window at midnight with a dozen roses an economy-size box of condoms.

I know. Ridiculous, right?

In keeping with birthday tradition, my father gives me the day off and then I put on my coveralls and work anyway.

It’s mid-morning and I’m buried up to my ass in a LaBaron that needs to be shot and put out of its misery when I hear the heavy slam of a truck door, followed by the crunch of footsteps against pavement.

My dad’s voice rings across the garage. “Can I help you?” I’ve heard him say it a thousand times but something about his tone makes me pick up my head. Makes me peek around the LaBaron’s hood to see who he’s talking to.

Declan is standing in the doorway. No track pants. No hoodie. He’s wearing dark jeans and a polo shirt that looks brand new. He looks like he’s ready to go somewhere nice. And he’s looking right at me.

Holy shit.

“I’m here for Tess,” he says it to me, before focusing on my father. “I’d like to take her out for her birthday.” Even though it sounds like one, it’s not a request. He’s not asking for my father’s permission and my father knows it.

My father isn’t a big man. Not even half as big as Declan but he’s got an ugly temper and if his old neighborhood cronies are any judge, he fights dirty.

I take a deep breath and slam the LaBaron’s hood closed, the loud bang of it snapping both of their attention toward me. “Where are we going?” I say, digging my bandana from the back pocket of my coveralls.

“It’s a surprise.” Declan gives me a crooked half-smile that loosens the hinge on my knees. “I’ve got a—”

“You can’t go,” my dad pipes up, killing Declan’s grin. “We’re backed up here and I need—”

“We’re not backed up, Dad.” I focus on my hands when I say it because as much as I’ve wanted to, as invisible and unappreciated as he makes me feel, I’ve never defied him. Never argued. I finally find the courage to look at him. “The LaBaron isn’t due for a pick up until Thursday and I’ve only got two tune-ups and an oil change on the books for today. You can call Conner in. He’ll help you with them.”

“I barely know this boy.” He emphasizes the word boy and I can see Declan’s shoulders go stiff from here. “I’m not going to let you—”

“That’s not true either.” I tuck my bandana back into my pocket. “You know him.” I let that hang for a moment. Let it sink in. My dad just stares at me, his jaw working. Trying to find a way to keep me from leaving with Declan. He can’t and he knows it. Not without admitting to me what I already know. That the reason he disapproves of Declan is because of how he knows him.

When my father doesn’t say anything, I look at Declan. “Maybe you should come back,” I say, cast a quick look over my shoulder at the clock. It’ll take me an hour to scrape myself clean. There’s no way I’m leaving the two of them alone for that long. “I’m filthy. I should shower. Change.” It’s edging toward 10:30. I bend down to scoop Shad out of her box. “Come back at noo—”

“You don’t need a shower.” Declan holds his hand out to me and shakes his head. “You’re perfect the way you are.”

It’s silly. We’ve been seeing each other for weeks now. I’ve let him do things to me that I can’t even think about without blushing, but when his hand closes around mine I feel it.

I feel perfect.

And I wasn’t even aware that it’s something I needed until this very moment.

Pulling me close, Declan tucks me into his side before holding out his other hand to my father. “I’ll take good care of her, sir.”

My father glares at Declan’s hand for a moment before turning and walking away without shaking it.