Sage had been avoiding him for ages now, which had Declan avoiding going upstairs except for when he absolutely had to. Unfortunately, he couldn't make tea downstairs — which meant he was still in the Whitby flat at least once a day. As long as he wasn't too disruptive, maybe she wouldn't mind.

He startled at the sound of shuffling in the kitchen, and looked over his shoulder to see Sage, clearly sick with the head cold Tess had mentioned and wrapped in a thick blanket. "I'll make a pot," Deck said with a single nod.

If he asked her any more questions, would that be intrusive? She'd started the conversation, which meant that maybe the rules of engagement were suspended, and maybe she was willing to talk to him again. However, she was also sick. Maybe that meant he should keep the conversation as light as possible. Declan poured more water into the kettle from the pitcher, and then lit the stove.

A simple question was probably fine.

"Do you need something to eat?" he asked.