“Ew.” With a wrinkled nose, I took another bite of my cookie. “Can you not refer to our relationship the way you might refer to a puppy?”
“How in the hell is being called cute a bad thing?” Delilah laughed. “You guysarecute.”
“Cute is what you call teenagers in puppy love.”
“Cute is what you call people who look happy and healthy and normal,” Simone said. “When I look at you two, all I can see is a picket fence.”
“Again, I say,ew.” Quite literally, I had to fight a gag. “Been there. Done that. And I don’t think either of us are cut out for picket fences. Maybe a cottage in the woods though.”
“Aw!” Delilah clapped her hands together before her chest. “That’s what it’s looking like? Like you guys are gonna, you know, be together? Long term?”
“I don’t know.” My cheeks must’ve been bright red, because they felt like fires on my face despite the snow and chill nipping at my nose. “We haven’t talked about it. But it’s not like we’re just hooking up or anything. Usually dating has the intention of a relationship.”
“Obviously.” Simone’s tone was the slightest bit annoyed. “It’s just a little shocking. Opening yourself up is a huge accomplishment.”
I made no attempt to disguise my eye roll.
“It’s not a bad thing.” Delilah stretched out to rub her hand up and down my arm. “It’s a great thing. I know for girls like me,who haven’t been here for very long, it’s just beautiful to see you two so happy.”
“I guess,” I agreed. “But don’t get too excited. We’re taking things slow.”
“And that’s amazing.” Not a touchy-feely person myself, I was still adjusting to all of Delilah’s mannerisms. This time, she grabbed my hand with a big smile and squeezed with all her might. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks.” When she released my hand, I tried to sound as enthusiastic as she did. “I’m sure one day, you’re gonna have the happily ever after you’re waiting on too.”
“Oh, I know I will.” Still wearing that massive smile, she shimmied her shoulders with excitement. “But I’m gonna do it the right way. I’m going to go to school, I’m going to get a degree, I’m gonna make sure that I have my own money and my own life to fall back on, and I’m not going to wind up where I did before. That’s for sure.”
“Ha, that rhymed,” Simone giggled.
To Delilah, I said, “I can’t think of a better plan.”
“Me neither,” Delilah agreed. “It’s funny though, because I have as many fantasies about this happy, independent life that I want to live as I do about telling my ex off.”
“Yeah,” I said. “I fantasize about that sometimes too. Also watching him cry, for some reason?” Simone choked on a laugh, and Delilah snickered. “I mean, I watched him cry many times. He always did when I told him I was gonna leave. But I would have loved to see him realize that I wasn’t coming back.”
“That’s exactly what I mean,” Delilah said. “And I know it sounds cruel, but damn it, after everything he did to me, I feel like I’m entitled to a little karma.”
“Not gonna lie,” Simone said, sipping on her cocoa, eyes dark, “closure’s nice.”
“Closure.” Delilah snapped her fingers and pointed at Simone. “That’s what I want. Closure, and maybe a little bit of nonviolent revenge.”
Simone muttered, “Violence isn’t so bad either.”
“What was that?” Delilah asked, clearly not having heard.
Light returned to Simone’s eyes. “At the end of the day, you have your whole life going for you. A plan for the future, the community you’re building here. All that outweighs revenge.”
“I know that rationally,” Delilah said. “Just a nice little fantasy that helps me fall asleep.”
Rhiannon’s voice carried from somewhere behind me. “Simone.”
When I found her in the crowd, I waved. It was far from unusual for Rhiannon to be nearby and call for one of us. The look in her eyes made my heartbeat quicken.
Then a navy blue uniform approached from behind her.
Edwards.
My stomach dropped into my ass.
