“There’s Linc. Let’s go say hi and maybe grab some of those fancy looking appetizers on our way.” Delilah points to a table with an array of small plates.
“I like the way you think. Finger food for the win. Make sure you eat now because once you see my dance moves, you’re not going to be able to tear yourself away from the dance floor.”
We grab our fancy plates, filled with boujee food and join Lincoln, my former teammate, at the bar. “Damn Cruz. How did you convince Lilah to come with you? Look at her, she’s like a twenty out of ten and you’re a solid four on a good day.”
Delilah’s shoulders shake with laughter. “I knew you were my favorite Bandit for a reason, Linc. But give him a little credit, with that suit, he’s at least a six tonight.”
“He’s not even on the team anymore! But I can’t be mad about the abuse—he’s right, I’m out punting my coverage with you as my date.”
“Damn straight you are. It’s a good thing your personality makes up for your tragic looks. Oh, shrimp.” Linc plucks a shrimp off my plate, dragging it through cocktail sauce before he bites into it with a smirk.
“Where is your stunning wife?” Delilah asks.
“I’m flying solo tonight. Maxi didn’t want to make the trip with Lulu. She’s had strep and is just starting to feel better,” he says of his wife and daughter. “But you’ll save a dance for me tonight, right, beautiful?” Linc smirks over his drink like he’s not trying to push my buttons.
“That depends,” Delilah teases. He was the first teammate I introduced her to after we met and the two hit it off from that first night, teaming up to give me a hard time any chance that they got.
“Oh yeah? On what?”
“Do you have moves?”
“Moves that rival Usher’s,” Lincoln says, spinning on the balls of his feet without warning.
“I’ll be the judge of that.” She pats his chest. “But you’re going to have some stiff competition. Cruz has made some pretty big promises about what his dancing will do to me, haven’t you, big guy?” she says, winking over her shoulder at me.
I almost choke on my champagne. This fucking girl. People underestimate her. They see her as the sweet baker, but underneath that sugary exterior, she’s bold and brazen. She holds her own bantering with the guys.
“But first I need to find the ladies room. The limo champagne went right through me. Excuse me boys.” I watch Delilah walk away in that godforsaken dress, trying, and failing, not to stare as her ass sways side to sides.
Lincoln whistles, letting me know I was not discreet, but I wasn’t really trying to be. It’s better that everyone sees me watching and knows just how fucking off-limits she is.
“How’s Lulu? Feeling better?” I ask knowing he can’t help himself when it comes to his family. It’s guaranteed to get the attention off me.
“Much better and adorable as ever. I make the prettiest fucking babies. Look at this picture.” I can hear the love in his voice for his daughter as he pulls out his phone. She might have been unexpected, but she’s owned her dad’s heart from the moment he found out about her.
“Hate to break it to you Linc, but I think she gets that from your wife.”
Lulu is on the screen of his phone toddling around the yard with one of the small rustic cabins and the mountains in the background. She’s chasing bubbles with outstretched fingers and has, what looks like, squashed strawberries coating her face. He’s right, she’s adorable.
“Enough with stalling tactics, tell me what’s going on with Lilah. Have you two figured your shit out yet?”
“Not sure what you mean,” I tell him, gripping the back of my neck.
“We’re going to play dumb today? That’s not your style.”
“Still just friends. She’s been all sorts of skittish about dating since Brad. She’s only gone on a handful of dates and no one ever makes it past the second date.”
“Are you just going to sit around, waiting on her forever? Don’t you think it’s time to make a move or move on?”
“You know I value your advice about a lot of things, but you accidentally married your wife and then got her pregnant all in the span of three months. I think you might be a little out of your depth.”
“I’m going to try not to be offended. Maxi and I may have had an unconventional start, and sure, Lulu sped up our future, but we worked through our shittogether. And it wasn’t an easy journey. I’ve watched you and Lilah circle each other for years. As a matter of fact, I remember you threatening me after the first time I met her. If you think you’re fooling anyone by saying you’re just friends, you’ve lost it.”
“Not holding back, I see.” Not that I would expect him to, Lincoln’s always been an ace at getting people to open up.
“It’s not in my nature,” he says with a laugh. “That’s why I was such an awesome captain.”
“Fine. Dust your captain’s hat off and give me your best advice. What would you suggest I do?” It’s not like I have much to lose at this point.
