Discovering Delilah (Harborside Nights, Book 2)(51)

“I knew you guys would be anxious to get on the road and beat the traffic.” Tristan puts an arm around me. “Text and let me know you get there safely.”

“Wyatt beat you to it, but I will—don’t worry.” I love that they’ve all accepted me into their close-knit group. I cross the hardwood floor toward Delilah and hand her a cup of coffee. “Compliments of Tristan.”

“Thanks, Tris,” she says.

He bows.

“Oh, I forgot my shampoo. Hold on.” She hurries upstairs.

Wyatt drapes an arm over my shoulder—what is it with the guys in this house and arms? He guides me toward the far side of the room and lowers his voice.

“Are your parents cool with you and Delilah? Because I know you’re excited about your new relationship, but this is a big step for her, meeting your parents and—”

I press my finger to his lips. “I’ve got this, Wyatt. I would never put Delilah in an uncomfortable position. Yes, my parents are comfortable, and I’ve already told them that she’s my girlfriend, but she’s not exactly comfortable with public displays of affection. They know everything they need to know about us and about her. They’re good people, Wyatt. I’m a good person. I won’t let her get hurt on my watch.”

He nods. “Thank you. This is the first time she’s traveled since…”

I hadn’t taken that into consideration. “I’ll be extra aware. I promise. I know you love her, and I know you worry. I do, too.”

He nods again, but I can see it’s a struggle for him to trust me—or probably anyone—with taking Delilah away from Harborside.

“She really likes you, Ashley.”

“I know.”

“But she’s still dealing with a lot of stuff.”

“She knows.”

We both spin around at the sound of Delilah’s voice.

“Dee…”

“She knows I’m dealing with stuff, Wy. You don’t need to warn her like I’m a volcano about to blow.” She puts a hand on her hip and holds his stare.

“I don’t think you’re a volcano. I’m more worried that—”

“That you’re a fragile little butterfly whose going to get blown away with the first gust of wind,” Cassidy says as she comes up behind him and reaches for his hand. “He means well. Really, he does.”

Delilah rolls her eyes. “I know you do, Wyatt, but I’m not a fragile butterfly. I’m not a volcano. I’m just a girl who lost her parents and fell for another girl.”

When she wraps her arm around my shoulder, it’s one arm I’m happy to snuggle into—and I am floored to hear determination and confidence in her voice. But when she kisses me smack on the lips, my eyes widen and I can’t help but laugh a little. It’s so…rebellious. And I like it. A lot.

She settles a smirk on those luscious lips of hers and wiggles her shoulders at her brother.

“I’ve got this, Wy.”

“Yeah, I guess you do.” He pulls her away from me and into his arms and squeezes her so hard she complains. “But I’m always going to be your big brother, and I’m always going to worry. So you can act all tough and kiss as many girls as you like—”

“Hey! No, she cannot.” I level him with a harsh stare.

Wyatt’s voice remains serious. “Okay, you can act all tough and kiss Ashley as many times as you want, but it won’t stop me from worrying.”

“Fair enough. You worry, but tell Cassidy about it, not me. Let me live under the guise of being a grown-up.” She takes my hand and pulls me toward the door. “Come on, Ash. Let’s go by your place and get your stuff.”

As soon as we’re in the Jeep, she cranks the radio. “Are there any open apartments at your complex?”

“What? Why?”

“Because I think it’s time for me to start cutting the umbilical cord.”

She backs out of the driveway, and I have no idea if she’s kidding or not, but I just added growing up Delilah to my list of the Delilahs I love.

~Delilah~

THE DRIVE TO Ashley’s parents’ house is so fun that I forget I’m nervous about meeting them. We sing too loudly and off-key and talk about everything from our favorite foods—Ash’s is sushi, mine’s brownies with cream cheese frosting—our favorite shoes—Any of Ash’s sandals, my leather boots. We stop for snacks and joke about how we’ll weigh eight hundred pounds by the time we get there if we keep eating M&M’s and Starburst. This is the most fun I’ve had in years. Ashley is so easy to be around, and when we went into the rest stop to get snacks, she didn’t get upset when I didn’t hold her hand, and I loved the way she smiled when I hooked my finger in her belt loop instead. I know it’s silly. I mean, what’s the difference between a belt loop and a finger? I have no clue, but it made me feel less like my parents were glaring down at me from above. And I’ll take it for what it’s worth.