I’d be moving out, even if it meant renting a place for a while since I wouldn’t stay here once the renovation was done.
Would I be glad I’d dodged a complication bullet? Or would I regret the missed opportunity?
Or would I bite the bullet and try something reckless and ill-advised, like asking the man out?
“I’ll be able to give you a more exact date once I get these cabinets done,” I told Chris, nodding at the boards I’d been sanding.
Delaney gave me a guilty look. “We should probably get out of the kitchen and let Brewer get back to work,” he told Chris and Tam, making me wish I hadn’t complained earlier.
They filed into the living room, but even after they were gone, my attention kept drifting back to them. To Chris, who was crooning at the baby. To Tam eating honeycomb and teasing him about being a baby whisperer. But mostly, as usual, to Delaney, who sounded more relaxed and happy than I’d ever heard him.
Being alone had been my happiest state for so long it was strange to find myself wishing I was in the other room with them.
By four o’clock, the stream of visitors had dried up, and everyone had left. Despite the interruptions, I’d made good progress on the cabinets, and just before retreating to his office for a call with his editor, Delaney had promised no more “tours” until tomorrow. So I was surprised when the doorbell rang again, startling me just as I was putting away my tools.
Since I could still hear Delaney talking, I answered the door myself.
“Brewer, my dude!” Kel wore his Kitchen Couriers hat with a lime-green parka, a pair of sandals over thick socks, and a bright grin. “How’s one half of the Dynamic Duo of Demolition?” He added in a conspiratorial tone, “That’s what me and Hayes decided to call you.”
I rolled my eyes. “Kel, if you’re here to see the paintings?—”
“Nah, man. Janice said Delaney put out the word. No more coming by and interrupting you ’cause you need to finish your job quick,” he recited. “So I’m here in a strictly professional capacity.” He picked up an enormous white Courier bag he’d set by his feet and extended it with a flourish. “Burger Barn order for Delaney.”
“Oh.” I frowned. It wasn’t a surprise that Delaney had ordered dinner, but usually, he asked if I wanted anything. Then again, I imagined he was done with socializing for the day… and possibly done withme.
“I’ll give it to him,” I said, taking the bag.
“Kel?” Delaney emerged from his office wearing a pair of soft cotton pants and a V-neck sweater, his glasses askew like he’d been toying with them. “Hey. You’re early. I thought I scheduled you for five.”
“Tryna keep my best tipper happy.” Kel grinned. “Especially when he’s the guy who got our service area extended.”
“You’re… pleased about that?” Delaney demanded.
“Shit, yeah. Doubled my tips. And our manager read one of your letters out loud at our last staff meeting. He said it was the most passionate plea for food delivery he’s ever seen.” He lowered his voice and added, “I cried.”
Delaney looked embarrassed. “Well. That’s… good. I guess.” He looked at the bag in my hand. “Everything in there?”
Kel’s chest puffed up. “Dude. I don’t make mistakes.” He winked again. “If you get the urge topoundanything tonight to see if you can find any more, ah, hidden treasures… remember safety first.”
“Bye, Kel,” I said, swinging the door closed, but not before we heard Kel chuckle as he walked away.
Once he was gone, Delaney and I stared at each other for a beat too long. He looked good—really good, even better than usual. More mouthwatering than whatever was in the delivery bag.
Belatedly, I held the bag out to him. “Your dinner. I’m guessing you want to have a quiet night.” I summoned a smile. “I’m done for the day, so I’m gonna grab a shower, walk Teeny, and head to the Bar and Grill so you can have the house to yourself.”
“No, wait.” Delaney’s hand shot out and covered mine on the bag. I had the impression of his smooth fingers against mine for just a second, and then he blushed and snatched his hand back like he’d been burned. “I got food for you, too. It’s not… I mean… You said we were friends, sort of, so I thought…”
“Okay,” I blurted, not letting myself think too much about it.
“But obviously, if you’d rather go out, that’s?—”
“Delaney,” I reminded him softly, as I so often did. “I saidokay. Just let me shower and see to Teeny first.”
“You, ah…” He blew out a soft breath and didn’t quite meet my eyes. “You can bring her, too, if you want.”
“Yeah?” Delaney’s “detente” with Teeny had extended to us all sleeping in the living room, but I hadn’t wanted to push the issue, so I’d continued to keep her upstairs for the most part.
“I said I’d work on it.” His eyes met mine. “I keep promises, too.”
