Page 113 of Sweet Redemption

Rafe

Very funny. Seriously though, any chance you’ve got an inside line on what’s going on?

Serena

I don’t know anything about it, but I can make a call. I have to ask, though, are you considering it? You know, since your package is better in Philly. LOL

Rafe

Friends don’t know about friends’ packages, Serena.

Serena

If you want me to make that call, you’ll answer the question, Rafe.

Rafe

Yes. I’m considering it.

Serena

Then I’ll make the call and get back to you, friend.

I close out of my chat with Rafe and continue to ignore the unread messages from Hendrix. Space means texting too. At least that’s what I’m trying to convince myself.

“Serena?” I look up from my phone at the beautiful brunette standing in front of me and smile. Technically, she became family when she married Ryker a few weeks ago. “I thought that was you.”

“Hi, Delaney. How are you?” I ask as she stares at the mug in my hand. “Would you like to join me?”

“Oh . . . okay. Just for a few minutes.” She nervously pulls out the chair across from me. “I have to get back to the flower shop, but I wanted to make sure you’re okay. You look a little sad.”

“Umm.” I wipe my eyes and sit back as my fingers absently stroke the tea bag hanging from my mug. “I guess I am, a little.” I roll my eyes when I realize how ridiculous I probably sound. “Why are men so complicated?” I ask this woman I barely know. “Wait—forget I said that. You are hopefully happily married to my cousin. Not everything has to be complicated.”

She laughs, and it’s loud and surprising. Apparently for her, too, because her face flames red as she covers her mouth. “Wow. Everything between us has been nothing but complicated from the very beginning. My whole life is complicated. But thanks to Ryker, I’ve realized complicated is manageable when you have someone willing to help you carry the very complicated burdens.”

Well, damn.

“You know . . .” She runs her finger over her to-go cup and blushes. “I might be way off base here, but Ryker mentioned there was some history and maybe some present happenings, too, between you and Hendrix.”

My eyes snap to hers, and she shrinks back.

“I didn’t mean to overstep, your cousin kind of has a big mouth,” she adds defensively.

“Don’t worry about it,” I tell her. “This town is full of people with big mouths. At least Ryker is Hendrix’s best friend. It’s not like two people who don’t know us gossiping.” Although I’m sure given enough time, that will happen too. “Did Ryker say anything . . . interesting?”

She relaxes a little and a small smile tugs at her lips. “Just that there’s been something between you two for as long as he can remember and that you both deserve to be happy.” She shrugs. “Hendrix has really stepped up for me a few times since I moved here. He seems like a really good guy, even if he doesn’t like my pig.”

That makes me laugh, hard, because while Hendrix loves animals, Delany’s pet potbellied pig, the Notorious PIG, is a little much. Cute, but in her own way, for sure. “He is a good guy.” I picture him making breakfast in his kitchen and wonder how that could have only been a few weeks ago, when it feels like a lifetime. But that’s because we have a literal lifetime of good memories between us. “The best, actually.”

“Anyway . . .” She looks down at her hands quickly. “I might have been asked to put in a good word and to see if you were okay.”

“By Ryker?” I ask, confused.

Delaney sips her drink and blushes again. “Sure. Ryker. We’ll go with that.”

Oh, Hendrix . . . Of course you did.

“I’ve got to get back to the shop, but maybe if you want to grab something to eat or a cup of tea one day, give me a call. Ryker says you’re one of his favorite people in the world.”