“I don’t plan on settling down anytime soon,” Beck said. “Some of us took the pact seriously.”
“I took it seriously.” As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I realized that never being in a committed relationship probably wasn’t the hill I wanted to die on. It wasn’t noble, or maybe even a great idea, given Mason and Pia’s success story. But that was the point. All of our parents started off in love, but the only one who stayed that way was Mason’s dad, who lost the love of his life way too young. “Anyway,” I said, wanting to move on, “what time are your friends coming?”
“In an hour,” Pia said.
“We’ll finish these and get out of your hair before they do.”
Beck all but pouted but finished his beer anyway. Less than twenty minutes later, ready to roll, the three of us headed out.
We were halfway up the walkway that led from Heritage Hill to the road above us which led to Cedar Falls’ town square a few blocks away when a figure appeared. She was bundled in a white winter coat and red hat and gloves, carrying a bag, and I couldn’t see her face.
“Someone’s early,” Mason said.
Beck squinted. “Can’t see her, too far away.”
Pia’s guest’s face came into view.
I froze.
Mason and Beck kept walking for a few seconds but then stopped too, looking back at me. It was the pharmacist I’d been meaning to ask the guys about.
“Hey, Delaney,” Mason said as she reached us.
Delaney.Thiswas Pia’s friend Delaney? The one I’d been hearing about for months? My mind raced, trying to remember everything Mason had said.
Moved here in… maybe high school? Moved away. Boyfriend. Breakup. Came back. Another breakup. Holy shit, the redheaded pharmacist was Delaney.
“Hey, guys.”
We already dated.
Beck had said that about her at one point. Fuck.
She was looking at me.
“Let me take that,” I said of her massive shopping bag. “It’s still a little slippery.”
Drawn to her, wanting any excuse to get closer, I was unusually happy to see her remove the shopping bag from her shoulder. When I took it from her, those blue/gray eyes locked with mine. There was a question behind them, but she didn’t ask anything, saying simply, “Thanks.”
“I’ll meet you there,” I called up to Mason and Beck.
An outsider to our group would never have been able to discern the look I gave them, the extremely subtle glance that said, “Don’t argue with me, just go.”
Without a word, both guys took the hint and kept walking.
“I don’t want to hold you up,” Delaney said beside me.
Adorable. It wasn’t a word I used often, but one that fit her completely. She might take offense if I said it aloud. In my experience, women were more comfortable with compliments like gorgeous or stunning. Cute and adorable, one of my exes said, described puppies. Not women. But dammit, she was… all bundled up like that.
“We’re just heading to Cedarwood. I’ll catch up.”
“You guys were kicked out tonight?” she asked, amusement in her voice.
I opened the front door to the house portion of the inn. “Unceremoniously.”
Her laugh. Goddammit, now that was a sound I could get used to.
“Thanks for coming early.” Pia came from the kitchen, stopping when she saw me.
