CHAPTER 020: Another Delilah
I feel like i didn’t hew that correctly
Finn looks trumphant Convinced Lake bes created some sort of ancient brotherhood spy code to break Delilah’s icy,
manipulative heart
“You want to kiss me at the rehearsal dinner? idk
“Yes, I do. You have kissed a man before, haven’t you?
“Oh, right, you screwed my brother. How could I have forgotten? Unless, of course, you both were too busy doing other things and didn’t have the opportunity to kiss. Then I’d have to show you how, so it looks authentic at the event.”
I just stare at him, my anger simmering beneath the surface. I can’t remember the last time I was this annoyed at someone. All the times I’ve mentioned the men I’ve made out with, gone on a date with, or actually started a short–term relationship with–though you couldn’t exactly call it a relationship–he doesn’t remember? I’ve memorized everything about him. The date he kissed Delilah for the first time. The exact day they first had sex. Her favorite color. Her middle name. Things I can’t forget because he’s repeated them about a million times, which only shows that he’s not forgetful. He only remembers things that are about Delilah. I bet he even thinks his brother was my first lay
“Get out” I say, my voice firm.
“What?”
“I want to be alone, Finn. Please leave my room.”
He frowns, concern displaying across his face. “What’s going on? Was it the food? Is it upsetting your stomach?”
I can’t even find the strength to retort. This is all my fault, anyway. I followed him here willingly. This is who Finn is; I’ve always known. Right now, I just want him out of my room before I throw him into a bag, zip it up, and dump him in a lake.
“The food was great. I didn’t get much sleep and would like to be well–rested before the event.”
“You almost slept till noon.”
“Finn…”
“Fine.” He stands from the bed, his movements stiff. “As long as you’re going to the event and doing this with me. This is what I want. It will work.”
I turn away, my eyes heavy, “Please, Finn. Right now,”
I can feel his eyes on me, but I refuse to turn. It would only make him ask questions I’m not ready for. From my peripheral vision, I see his leg twitching, as though he wants to move closer. But he must have decided against it because he sighs and starts walking to the door.
“5:00 PM, Sloane,” he says. “Set an alarm. Or don’t. I’ll wake you.”
And then he walks out, and I go to the door and lock it. I don’t even know how to feel about whatever just went down. I sit on the bed close to my pile of clothes, gazing at nothing and everything. The more I stare, the stranger some things look. Like the pinkish walls, the frilly curtains, and the abundance of throw pillows. The girlishness of it all. Did they make this room specifically for female guests? Seems like something Finn’s mom would do.
I reach toward the nightstand and take my phone. I scroll until I see what I’m looking for. Knox.
‘Tonight, I text. ‘See you there‘
I hold my breath for over a minute waiting. Then he texts back. ‘I’m counting the hours, Kitten.‘
I feel like I’m taking a really big jump right now just to spite Finn. To use one man to get to the other is never a good idea, but it’s Knox. He probably deserves it. Besides, he’s used me before. This is just payback. I want to feel the same way I felt in that club restroom again and again. That’s my main focus, feeling good. Because everything at this moment hurt hurting Finn would feel good.
~~~
Evening arrives, and I’m in a bathrobe, stretching my hair. My eyes are fixed on an open book, one I’m holding open with a weighted rubber bookmark. Works perfectly when I’m addicted to a book and need to read hands–free. Addiction for me at the moment is synonymous with emotionally stressed. If I’m not reading, I’ll be thinking. If I’m thinking, then my head is going to explode.
Successfully unlocked!
My phone rings, and it’s my sister, Serena. I pic.. up and put it on specsker, going back to my task.
“Serena,” I say. “Is the world falling apart? You actually called me.”
“Little nerdy sis. Mom told me you’re in Asheville, and for a second there, I thought, this is it. Sloane has finally found a man who’s just as much in love with spaceships as she is and has whisked her away on a weekend trip to discuss the invasion
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CHAPTER 925 Another Deifah
of Mars imagine my surprise when Mom said you’re there with Finn. You’re dating him now?”
I scoff “Like he’d ever leave Delilah”
*So what’s happening in Asheville?
“Delilah’s getting married”
“Married? That sounds like a breakup to me.”
“It might sound that way, but Finn and I are here to destroy the wedding”
“Say that again. Slowly, please. I could have sworn I heard you say you want to destroy a wedding.”
1 sigh. I’ve been so stupid, Rena
“That I agree with. But you’re only that way because you’re not taking my advice. You have to make the move on him just once and get rejected. The shame of the rejection is going to snap you back to base. Total factory reset, baby.”
“Is that the same advice you give to your clients?”
“Believe me, you’d be surprised at the kind of advice I give professionally. They love me for it.”
“Well, congratulations. But just like the other ten million times you said it, I’m not doing it.”
“So the alternative is to be his puppy?”
I roll my eyes. “Why did you even call?”
I can hear her breathing deeply behind the line. That’s her trademark sign for when she’s gearing up for something big, something that might annoy me.
“So, remember my boyfriend, Nathan?” she says.
“Ummm… The blond?”
“No, the ginger,”
“Oh, that Nathan.”
“I’ve only dated one Nathan.” She pauses again, breathing deeply. “So look, Mom invited me to the barbecue next week, and I’m bringing Nathan. I want him to officially meet most of the members of my family. I believe we’re getting serious. I swear I saw him googling engagement rings the other day. I’d really like it if you came to the barbecue, Sloane.”
I smile. “Mom put you up to this, didn’t she?”
“No!”
“Mmhmm. Telling me about your impending engagement just to raise emotions out of me, guilt–tripping me into coming to the barbecue. Congratulations, by the way. Nathan would make a lovely husband. But like I told Mom, I’m going to think about her request.”
“This means a lot to all of us. To Mom especially.”
“I am really in a bind here. My half–sibling’s birthday or my mom’s husband’s barbecue.”
“Sloane…”
A knock comes on the door, and I turn off the straightener, dropping it on the bathroom countertop.
“Gotta go. I’ll call you later,” I say.
And then I hang up, going to the door, already thinking about what to say in case it’s Finn again. I’m mentally preparing myself for round two of “Kiss Your Best Friend at His Ex’s Rehearsal Dinner,” trying to summon some leftover patience that Finn didn’t already shred during our earlier conversation.
I’m halfway into, “Finn, I swear to God if you’re here to talk about your prophetic dream again-” when I open the door.
But it’s not Finn.
It’s his mother.
Victoria Hartley stands before me in a lovely evening gown that looks like it came straight from the pages of a couture magazine. Satin. Emerald green. Hugs her curves. Her hair is perfectly styled in soft waves that make her look like of some 1960s Parisian film. She’s radiant.
“Mrs. Hart–Victoria,” I correct quickly.
She smiles. “Can I come in?”
“Oh. Yeah, sure.” I step aside, suddenly aware that I’m still in a bathrobe and my left leg is half–shaved. Great.
star
She walks in, the scent of her perfume trailing behind her. She doesn’t sit. She doesn’t even look at me. Instead, she walks
toward the center of the room and just… lingers. Eyes roaming, absorbing every detail.
I stay behind her, awkward and stiff, unsure if I’m supposed to offer her a seat.
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CHAPTER 020: Another Delilah
“Would you like to sit down?” I ask, gesturing toward the chair near the dresser.
She turns around, her face a soft blend of surprise and something else I can’t place.
“Oh no. Sorry. I’m just surprised Finn gave you this room. That’s all.”
“Is something wrong with the room?”
She offers a tight, polite smile. “Not at all. It’s a splendid room.”
“It is.”
She pauses. Looks around again. Then her eyes are on me.
“I came to discuss something with you,” she says eventually. “And I just don’t know how to begin.”
I cross my arms under the robe and try to steel myself. “Just dive right in. I can take it.”
“Great,” she says. And then she levels her gaze on me like she’s about to perform surgery on my eyes. “I need to know if you‘ re going to become another Delilah, Sloane.”
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