Page 163 of No Headlines Please

Instead of answering, Delaney turned her eyes toward me. I knew exactly what she was thinking. Not only had she stopped by her sister's apartment, she'd actually stayed there for weeks – apparently without Tessa knowing.

But this, like so many other things, was Delaney's secret to tell.

Or not.

Me? I was still willing to carry the suitcases.

When Delaney looked back to her sister, she still hadn't replied.

Tessa's eyes narrowed. "I know that look."

Delaney shifted again. "What look?"

"It's the same look you had in middle school, when you ruined my favorite sweater."

"Yeah…so?"

Tessa was blinking back tears. "So you obviously feel guilty. Just admit it. You didn't even try to see me."

Delaney snorted. "So that's your theory?"

Tessa gave Delaney a pleading look. "Just tell me."

"Alright, fine," Delaney said. "I did more than stop by."

"How so?"

Delaney sighed. "Okay, well, if you want the truth, I, um…sort of moved in."

62

Forget the Bisque

Delaney

Tessa blinked. "Wait…are you telling me you moved into my apartment?"

"Sort of," I said for the second time.

"Without telling me?"

I tried not to squirm. "Gee, when you put it like that…"

Tessa turned to face Ryder. "Did you know?"

"Me?" he scoffed. "Hell no." He hitched a thumb at Maddox. "That asshole wouldn't tell me a thing."

I'd just about had it. "Will you please stop calling him an asshole? He's actually really nice."

Ryder stared.

Tessa stared.

When I looked to Maddox, he was staring, too, like I'd just announced I was pregnant with his baby – which of course, I wasn't, considering we hadn't done more than kiss.

That wasn't the point.

I looked around the room. "What?"