I don’t know that I’ve ever seen Josh flustered. This is a nice change. “Did you need something?” I ask.
“No, I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“I’m fine, Josh.”
He kicks the ground, sending a pebble flying. “I know that. It’s just . . .”
“That I’ve had a thing for you for, well, ever and now we’ve had sex?” I finish the thought.
“That’s one way to put it.”
I press my hand to his chest and smile. “I’m good. I’m a big girl who has no delusions of what happens now. It was sex, really great sex, and . . . well, thank you.”
“Thank you?” he asks with a lilt to his voice.
“Yeah, I appreciate it.”
Josh’s eyes widen for a second and then he looks almost pissed. “I didn’t do it for appreciation.”
Well, well, if I weren’t seeing this firsthand, I wouldn’t believe it. He’s mad. Good. I’ve been mad and frustrated with him for years. “Right, but I asked you to kiss me. I practically egged you on.”
“Is that what you think?”
I shrug. “It’s the truth. I’m not stupid, Josh. I know how guys are.”
“Do you?”
There’s no mistaking the hard edge to his voice. “Look, I have to go. I’ll see you around, okay?”
Josh, being a gentleman, takes a step forward and then opens my door for me. “Yeah, we’ll see each other around.”
I force a casual smile and enter the car. “Bye, Josh.”
“Bye, Delia.” He closes my door, and I feel like doing a fist pump as I drive off.
Delia one.
Josh zero.
I enter the building on cloud-fucking-nine, whistling as I walk.
“And why are you so happy?” Ronyelle asks with her head tilted to the side.
“I . . . had sex.”
Her smile grows wide, and she tosses her black hair to the side. I start walking toward the office, and she laughs. “That’s right, strut!”
I do as she says and walk with a little bit of a swagger I didn’t know I possessed.
When we get to the manager’s office, she points to the chair. “Who did you have sex with?”
“Joshua Parkerson.”
Ronyelle’s eyes go wide. “I’m sorry, did you just say Joshua Parkerson? As in the man you’ve been in love with since we were in grade school? That Joshua Parkerson?”
I lean back in the seat. “Same one.”
“Are you stupid?”
My jaw drops. “What?”
“Delia, I love you, but you are. You can’t have sex with Joshua Parkerson and pretend like it isn’t a big deal.”
“I’m not pretending.”
She purses her lips and raises one brow. “Is that so?”
“I’m fully aware that it’s a big deal. But don’t you see? This is a good thing.”
Ronyelle crosses her arms. “Oh, I can’t wait to hear this bullshit.”
I love my friend, but right now . . . not so much. “It’s not bullshit.”
“You randomly hook up with the guy in the bar, not the guy you’ve been dreaming of marrying for over a decade.” She moves to sit beside me, and her rich brown eyes are filled with sympathy. “You know I love you.”
“I do.”
“It’s why I need to tell you that you’re going to have your heart trampled.”
“My heart is out of this,” I reassure her.
The sound that escapes her says she doesn’t believe me. “Okay, let’s say that is true, you think having sex with him doesn’t complicate things?”
I groan. “You’re killing my post-sex buzz.”
“I’m killing your delusions, that’s what I’m killing.”
I grab her hand, squeezing it softly. “I know that you’re just looking out for me, and I love you so much for it, but we had sex, I’m fine, and that’s that. It’ll probably never happen again, so let me have my day of triumph.”
Her dark brown hand covers mine. “Fine, but when you fall apart, which will happen once this haze you think you’re in clears, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“I won’t.”
“And don’t be stupid enough to do it again.”
At that, I pull back. “I just said I wouldn’t, but why the hell would I turn him away if he offers?”
“Oh, Lord,” she says under her breath. “Because you’re going to get hurt. Not him. He is probably well equipped to deal with sex without strings. He’s been single for a long time, and you can’t tell me that a man that good-looking has been a monk.”
I grimace. “I don’t think about it.”
“Of course, you don’t.” She laughs. “No one wants to think about it. I pretend my husband has never been with another woman. I know it’s a lie. But he lets me have it. Why? Because it’s better for all of us.”
I sigh deeply. “Buzz is dead.”
“Is the haze gone?”
“Yes.”
Ronyelle nods once. “Good. Now, you have two people who called out, and the general manager wants you to increase production this shift. Happy welcome to being a manager.”
I grunt and get to my feet. “I should’ve called out.”
She stands and moves to sit behind the desk. “But then you would be in your haze and living in la-la land.”
I walk to the door. “I like la-la-land!”
I hear her laugh as I walk out, and when I get to the end of the hallway, I stop, lean against the wall, and replay what she said. Then I close my eyes for a second and curse to myself. “She’s right, I’m stupid.”
Chapter 5
Joshua
My family is falling apart, and I can’t fix them.
I hate that feeling. I’m a fixer. The oldest brother who was always the one they turned to. It’s my job to make things better, but I can’t do it this time.
Stella and Jack are dealing with an impossible situation with their daughter, and all I want to do is make it all better.
This gnawing in my gut has me restless, which leads me to needing to get away from the RV. Somehow, when I got in the car, I drove to Willow Creek, down through the town, past Grayson’s house, Stella’s loft, and down a side road I have no business being on.
In front of a house I shouldn’t be in front of.
I don’t pull into the driveway because I’m not sure what the fuck I’m doing here. All I know is that I want to see her again.
We slept together four days ago, and I didn’t call, which makes me a dick.
So, now I’m here.
Like a goddamn idiot.
I put the car in drive, but then I see Delia open the door, a mug in her hand, and she smirks as she leans on the doorframe.
No getting out of this one. I park the car again, exit, and wave. “Hey.”
“Hey, how long were you planning to stay outside for?”
I laugh. “How did you know I was here?”
“I saw you pull up.” Then she points to the corner of the house. “I have cameras.”
“Has crime gone up in Willow Creek while I was gone?”
She smiles. “No, but I’m a single woman who lives in a wooded area.”
“Yet you don’t lock your doors,” I say with a brow raised.
“True, because I have the cameras. When I bought the house, Grayson installed them so I would feel comfortable.”
Now I know who to thank for my stupidity being on tape. “I’m glad you’re protected.”
She laughs. “They do nothing but let me know someone is here. We all know how worthless the sheriff is with his stellar response time.”
I walk up the steps, standing in front of her, hating the urge that rises, wanting to kiss her again. Delia’s gaze is locked on mine. “What’s wrong?”
My head jerks back a little. “What?”
“Something’s wrong.”
“Nothing is wrong.”
“Josh,” her voice is soft, “I know you, and something is eating at you,
which is why you’re here.”
That gnawing feeling in my gut grows more insistent. I hate that she can read me. I came here for . . . hell, I don’t know what, but it wasn’t this. Talking about how Stella and Jack are suffering or how my father is a piece of shit who is trying to destroy my mother won’t change anything. Then there’s the stress of being here again, seeing Delia and knowing that, if I let her in, I’ll fail her, just as I’ve done with everyone else.
“I’m here because I wanted to see you,” I tell her the half-truth.
“For?”
“To make sure you were okay.”
Because I missed you.
She nods slowly. “I’m completely fine.”
I’m not.
I step closer. “I’m glad.”
Delia’s pupils dilate slightly. “Are you okay?”
I will be once I kiss you.
My hand moves to her face, and I brush my thumb against her bottom lip. “I shouldn’t be here,” I confess, reminding myself of how stupid I am.
“Then why are you here?”
Delia’s hand moves to my wrist, her brown eyes gaze up at me. They’re filled with something I can’t name. I study her, wanting to know all her secrets and praying she never learns mine.
Being with her that one time was a mistake. It didn’t sate the urge to have her, it made me want her more. I know what it’s like to be with her, to feel her heat around me, and I need to do it again.
I love the taste of coffee on her tongue, the sounds she makes as she kisses me deeper. Everything about her is alluring. Delia has always been my siren, and now that I’ve answered the call, I won’t be able to stop.
“I don’t know,” I say without thinking.
She pulls my hand from her face, lacing our fingers together. “Do you want to come inside and figure it out?”
“Figure what out?”
Delia’s lower lip slides between her teeth. “What you want.”
“I know what I want.”
“Yeah?”
I nod. “I shouldn’t take it though.”
I should get in my car and leave. I should turn around, drive back to Melia Lake, and do whatever I can to keep my ass there. That’s what the right thing to do is. But then I look into her eyes and want to drown in them.
I stand here. Touching her, holding her hand, allowing her to comfort me when I don’t deserve it.
“What if I’m giving it?”
“Who said it was you?” I counter.
She laughs once. “It certainly isn’t because of your charming personality.” Her back is against the doorjamb, and she pulls me closer. “But go ahead, lie and tell me you don’t.”
I shake my head slowly, moving in toward her lips. “I shouldn’t.”
“But here you are.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“Because it’s what I want.”
My forehead rests on hers, our breaths mingling as the pull to kiss her grows with each second. “Tell me to leave,” I implore.
“Why would I do that?” Delia asks huskily.
“Because you should.”
She lifts her face, her hand moving to my jaw. “Take what you want, Josh. What we both want.”
Without another word or thought, I kiss her, and I take everything because I’m a selfish bastard.
“And you young bucks don’t know nothing about women,” Fred says. He and Bill have been sitting in these same chairs at the diner for as long as I can remember. They’re old and offer opinions with or without you asking.
Bill nods. “Not like in our day.”
“And what days were those?” I ask before taking a sip of my coffee.
I’m not sure why I’m encouraging it, but who knows, one day this might be me and my brothers. We’ll be the old guys, sitting around our favorite place, talking shit to the younger generations.
“The days when men weren’t a bunch of pansies. We went up to a woman we liked and asked her out.”
“I don’t want to ask anyone out,” I counter.
Today’s topic is the Parkerson brothers who are still single. Fred and Bill have decided it’s time I hear their lectures, and Jennie, who I normally love, is hiding on the other side of the swinging kitchen doors, listening and laughing.
“The hell you don’t, son. Listen here, you might think you know what you want, but you don’t,” Fred tacks on.
“And you know what I want?”
Bill laughs. “We have eyes, don’t we?”
“You don’t have sense,” I mutter.
“We also have our hearing, so watch yourself, Joshua Parkerson. I am not above taking you outside and teaching you how to fight,” Fred threatens. The sad part is, I don’t think he’s kidding.
“My apologies.”
He humphs and looks at Bill, who continues. “Our point is that you like the Andrews girl. She’s a sweet one, that Delia. Took care of her mom when she was sick, not even a hesitation.”
Fred lifts his mug. “That’s right. When a woman will give up her own dreams to care for another, that’s a good woman there. He’s a fool for not seeing that.”
I’m aware of how wonderful Delia is. She’s just not in my future. The last four days have made it hard to remember that though. I’ve thought about her constantly. The way she gave herself to me without any hesitation. After we had sex, we sat at her table, had a cup of coffee, and then I left. No strings. No issues. No regrets.
“And what about her wants?” I ask. Because Delia seems completely fine with this arrangement. We hook up and we ask nothing of the other person.
“Aren’t you listening to a word we’re saying?”
I look at Fred, feeling as if we’re in some weird circular conversation. “I’m listening.” Just not understanding why they feel the need to say anything.
“I wonder if it’s their dad,” Bill muses.
“He’s an idiot too,” Fred says.
“Had a wonderful woman and ruined her.”
Fred purses his lips as he nods. “Eveline was a sweet one before Mitchell came along.”
“So, we’re thinking the stupid comes from his side.”
“Must be.”
Bill and Fred turn to me. “Maybe it’s better he stays away. Best not to risk it.”
I roll my eyes. “Thank God I have you two to set me straight.”
Bill grins. “You should thank us because we’re a blessing. Now, are you going to take our advice or continue being a nincompoop?”
I hadn’t realized there was advice somewhere in there. So far, all I’ve heard is that I’m a pansy and stupid. “And what advice was that? I thought you just said I was stupid.”
Fred huffs. “You’re clearly not listening, stupid.”
“I have no idea what you’re saying.”
“To ask the Andrews girl out!” Bill exclaims and then lets out a long sigh.
“I don’t want to ask Delia out. If I did, I would have done it.”
“Then it’s a good thing I’m not sitting around waiting for you,” Delia says from beside me.
Shit.
Bill turns quickly toward Fred so his back is to me, proving they are all talk. Delia is wearing a huge smile, but under it, I can see I hurt her. “I didn’t mean it that way.”
She shrugs. “Relax, Josh, I’m just teasing.” She leans over the counter. “And you two know better than to try to get me a date. Last time you tried, I almost moved to avoid having to see him.”
Bill and Fred give her warm smiles. “We just want you to have what we have.”
Delia raises a brow and points her finger. “I will, when I’m good and ready to find that. Until then, no meddling.”
“We don’t meddle,” Bill says a bit defensively.
“No? What the hell has the last twenty minutes been?” I ask.
“That was us setting you straight.”
She laughs, and I turn to her. “You think it’s funny?”
“Of course I do. For once it’s
not me having to listen to them tell me how, in their day, I’d have been married and raising a brood of kids by my age. You’re the one getting their unsolicited and usually bad advice—well, other than them telling you to ask me out, which we all know won’t happen, but it’s actually good advice.”
“I could ask you out,” I challenge.
Jennie walks over and hands a bag to Delia. “Here you go, honey, tell Jessica I hope she’s feeling better.”
“I will,” Delia says with a smile. When she turns to me, that smile vanishes. “You could ask, but . . .” Her voice drops low so that Bill and Fred can’t hear. “I might not say yes.”
She turns and saunters out the door, leaving me stunned. A second later, a hand lands on my shoulder.
“She sure showed you.”
I blink. “Yeah.”
“Fool,” Fred mutters.
Bill squeezes a little and chuckles. “He’s got it bad.”
No, I can’t.
I won’t.
I never will.
Chapter 6
Delia
Jack has outdone himself. Not only has he brought Stella’s entire family out here to witness him proposing but also he has somehow made things right for Kinsley and her father who adopted her, Samuel. It’s been hard on Stella, losing her daughter, but he found a way, and I really pray it works for them.
For today, we’re all going to pretend it will and celebrate their love.
“I’m so nervous you’d think I was the one being proposed to,” Jess says as she sips her ginger ale.
“It wasn’t all that long ago that it was you.”
She laughs. “I know, and these woods are magical. That’s all I know. Two people who are destined to be together, step foot in them here, and poof . . . they become a couple.”
I don’t miss her pointed stare over toward Josh. “Subtle.”
Jess shrugs. “I wasn’t trying to be.”
“Good, but we’re not having this discussion.”
“Fine, fine.” She raises her hands. “I won’t say a word.”
I don’t believe a word of that, but I let it drop. “How are you feeling?”
Her hands move to her belly. “Good. Tired, but good. Amelia is running me ragged, but she’s amazing. I’m ready to have this baby so we can know everything is fine.”
A Moment for Us Page 3
