Page 200 of No Headlines Please

I froze. The hell she would.

The guy said, "So you're gonna tell her off, but not him?"

"Fine. I'll tell him off, too."

Shit. If she wanted to tell me off, she could go ahead. But there was no way in hell I'd be leaving Delaney open for that kind of attack.

I'd be dealing with this head-on.

But when I started moving toward the opening, Delaney made a grab for my arm. Her grip tightened as she whispered, "Where are you going?"

I flicked my head toward the sounds of their voices. "You can't guess?"

"But…what are you gonna do?"

I kept my voice low, but I refused to whisper. "I'm gonna nip it in the bud."

She frowned. "And what does that mean?"

I looked down at her hand. "Let go, and you'll find out."

"Then I'll come with you."

"The hell you will."

Her chin lifted. "I'm not afraid, if that's what you think."

I didn't. She looked more fierce than fearful, but that didn't change anything. I deliberately softened my tone. "Listen, this is my problem, not yours."

"No. It's our problem."

For that, I could've kissed her, but it only stiffened my resolve. "Nope." Once again, I eyed her hand. "So, you wanna let go?"

"Not particularly." But then, with obvious reluctance, she did, whispering, "I just don't want you to fight or anything, okay?"

"Don't worry." And with that, I turned and strode toward the opening even as the couple continued to bicker.

The guy was saying, "Bullshit. You're so full of it."

"The hell I am. I'd tell both of them off."

I stepped out into the sunlight. "Or, you could tell me off twice."

Standing a few paces away, they whirled to look. The guy was blond and wore a navy windbreaker. The girl was thin with long braided hair and ridiculously oversized sunglasses. Her arms were crossed so tight, it was a wonder she hadn't cracked a rib.

Neither said a word as they stood, frozen, staring back at me.

I looked to the girl. "Go ahead." I spread out my arms. "I'm right here."

She swallowed. "Um…what?"

"Go ahead and tell me off." My jaw flexed. "Twice."

She gave a nervous laugh. "Me? Um…I was just joking." She looked to the guy. "Don't just stand there. Tell him."

The guy snorted. "Screw that. I'm waiting for you to actually do it."

She dropped her arms. "Do what?"