Delly’s lips pursed like she was holding back a laugh. I did not find it funny. At all.
Ireland’s door opened quietly in the next moment, and I went ramrod straight. “Lordy,” I muttered. “What do I do?”
“Schedule yourself a haircut, maybe.”
I gave her a dry look. “Beach Delly is as rude as mountain Delly. And college Delly.”
Ireland stepped into the room, and I only barely held back a smirk when my sister straightened her shoulders.
She wanted this to go well too.
I turned to Ireland, and my gaze went from her knees to her eyes.
I couldn’t stop the compulsion. It was automatic now every time she entered a room. Or my thoughts, where I’d just grab the most recent image I’d stored of her.
No one spoke. Delly was staring a hole into the side of my head, and Ireland’s blue eyes were bouncing between us.
Lordy.
“We got you a cake,” I said in a rush. “Do you want some?”
“Oh, dear lord,” Delly muttered under her breath, then pushed me aside with her shoulder.
“Happy Birthday, roomie,” Delly said, taking the reins. “I’m sorry we’re late, but it only came to our attention recently. I hope you like vanilla on vanilla.”
“You already got the lock,” Ireland said, addressing me.
“Yes. That was the practical gift,” I said. “This is for pleasure.”
Delly made a choking sound, and Ireland pressed her lips together, eyes filling with mirth as she stared at me. “Think I’ll need to, uh,lubricateit?”
The words processed one by one, and then I hung my head. “See you guys next year,” I muttered, turning away as if I were leaving the room.
Ireland caught my arm, her small hand warm on my bicep.
“Hey,” she said, pulling me to a stop. “Aren’t you going to have some?”
I smiled. “If you are.”
She squeezed once before dropping her hand. I tracked its path all the way to her side.
Delly brushed past us and put the cake on the kitchen table, then three plates. We all took our usual seats, and my sister gave us a pointed look.
“I’m disgusted that you have an inside joke,” she said as she cut a slice for each of us, “and normally I’d demand to be in on it, but given the keywords, I’m gonna pass this time.”
Blue eyes met mine briefly, then we both looked away.
“Thank you, guys,” Ireland said, breezing over the moment. “This is great.”
“Happy Birthday,” I said again.
“Want us to sing?” Delly asked with a broad smile.
“No, thank you,” Ireland said quickly, and Delly snorted.
“That’s good. Pops and Addy are the singers in the family. I somehow missed out on that gift.”
“Oh?” Ireland said, eyebrows raised as she turned to me.
