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Wren wasn’t able to join them since she was sick with a raging case of horrific stomach flu. No one wanted to be near her, so she was holed up in her tiny one-bedroom cottage trying to recover. Harper felt terrible even thinking this, but she’d never been so grateful for someone getting sick. Without Wren there, she felt free to confess what happened between her and West last night. Yeah, it was risky telling Delilah, but Harper felt like she was going to burst if she didn’t tell someone that she kissed West. That she was in lust with West and couldn’t stop thinking about him. That she had a wicked plan forming in her brain that involved him and she needed someone to tell her if she was being crazy or not.
She was being crazy. She had to be. But for once in her life, she sort of didn’t care. She wanted to run with it. Go against type and surprise everyone, especially herself.
Oh, and West. Definitely West.
“Sorry I’m late!” Delilah sat in the chair across from hers, a big smile on her face as she pushed her long, dark hair away from her shoulder. “I got held up by one of the moms. She wanted to complain about her daughter’s lack of focus.”
“And that’s your fault how?” Harper asked, setting the menu down.
Delilah shook her head. “Who knows? They love to blame me for everything. The reason that girl can’t focus is because she’s a spoiled brat who gets to do what she wants whenever she wants it. I try to get her to listen to me in class, but forget it. She’s too busy mouthing off or spacing out. Or giggling with her friends.”
“I already ordered you a glass of wine.” As if on cue, the waiter appeared, setting their glasses on the table in front of them. “Want to get an appetizer?”
“The goat cheese and apple one sounds great,” Delilah murmured, her gaze glued to the menu.
The moment the waiter took off with their appetizer order, Delilah set her menu on the table, blowing out a harsh breath. “Oh my God, that was totally awkward.”
Harper frowned. “What was?”
“Our waiter? I went on a date with him once.” Delilah held a hand up in front of her and examined her fingernails.
“You did? What’s his name? How was it?” How did Harper not know this?
“His name is David and it was . . . not great. Oh, he’s a nice guy and we had an okay time, but he wasn’t doing it for me. Not my type.” Delilah flicked her thumb against her middle finger, her nails clicking together.
“Who is your type?” Harper braced herself. If she said someone like West, she would die. That would end her plan to tell Delilah about her issues with him.
“I’ve sort of been all over the place when it comes to dating, but I think I’ve finally figured him out.” Delilah splayed her fingers, ticking off her dream man’s qualities. “Tall, with a take-charge attitude. Quiet. Strong. Calm. Protective. Responsible. Good in bed.”
They both laughed over the last one. “That’s a given,” Harper said in agreement.
Delilah grinned. “Kind. Handsome. Maybe even a little standoffish sometimes, though never mean. I’ve come to realize I have a thing for the still-waters-run-deep sort of guy.”
Harper knew without a doubt her friend was describing Lane Gallagher. He was all of those things and more.
The waiter came back to their table and took their order, making conversation with Delilah and allowing Harper the opportunity to watch her squirm. She didn’t squirm often. Delilah was always so confident, so at ease with talking to anyone. Talking with the waiter she had no interest in, she looked like she wanted to slide under the table.
“I thought he’d never leave,” Delilah whispered the moment he was gone.
Harper grinned and took a sip of her wine.
Delilah’s eyes narrowed as she studied Harper. “What’s up with you? Don’t tell me Roger’s trying to get you back.”
“I haven’t even heard from Roger since I moved out.” He’d mailed her last paycheck, but otherwise, there’d been no word from him. Maybe he was mad. Maybe he was already over her.
“Do you regret breaking up with him?”
“No.” Harper shook her head. “It was the best thing for me to do. He wanted to settle down, but all I was doing was settling. It wasn’t fair to him.”
“So now you’re a free woman, yet your grandma is your roommate and you’re working at the BFD.” Delilah shook her head. “Honey, you need some excitement in your life and quick.”
Here was her chance to spill her guts about West. Taking a deep breath, she decided to go for it. “Actually, I have had a little excitement in my life lately.”
“Found a love letter written to your grandma among the boxes of receipts?” Delilah raised a brow.
Harper stuck her tongue out at her, making Delilah laugh. “No. Something happened between me and . . . someone else.” Chicken. Can’t even say his name out loud.
Delilah leaned forward, her eyes dancing with excitement. “Ooh, don’t hold back! Tell me who it is. And what exactly happened with you and this mysterious someone. I want all the dirty details.”
