Cindy puts up the stop sign, and Wren wraps her arms around my legs. I barely have time to bend and kiss her goodbye before she’s gone with a “love you” trailing behind her.
“I’m really sorry,” I say again, rubbing the back of my neck.
“I know. But while I’ve got you…”
Hearing that from a teacher or a principal is every parent’s nightmare. “Yes?”
He laughs, pats my shoulder. “Relax. I was going to say how great Wren is. She’s outgoing and smart and always making friends, but I’ve noticed she’s taken Leia Moore under her wing.”
He eyes me for a beat. “She’s a quiet one. Reminds me of a student I had once who clung to his cousin like a life raft.”
I cringe. “Was I that bad?”
He chuckles. “You needed Emmett, just like Leia needs Wren. I’m a sucker for friendships like that. Especially when one shows the other it’s okay to be yourself, let loose a little.”
“Well, I’m glad she’s doing that for her.” I shove my hands into my pockets.
I’m not sure who I would’ve turned out to be without Emmett always pushing me to do things outside of my comfort zone. Even years later, I’m still the quiet guy who generally listens more than I talk.
“So, I’ll take the ding.”
I nod. “Thanks.”
We glance toward the school. The three girls are walking up the pathway hand in hand.
My eyes lock on Leia. Her braid is done the same way Delaney wore hers the other day—wrapped around her head and down one side of her neck. And her clothes… she looks as though she just walked off a kid’s fashion magazine shoot.
“It’s nice to have a familiar face back in Willowbrook, don’t you think?” Principal North cuts into my thoughts. “Feels like memory lane, doesn’t it?”
“Ah… a little, yeah.”
“You know what I love more than those friendships?”
“I have a feeling you’re going to tell me.”
He laughs. “When the one who was helped becomes the one doing the helping. Now excuse me, I have to get inside the school to make it before assembly.”
He raises his brows as though he knows exactly what he’s doing, then nods and walks toward the school. “Good to see you, Bennett.”
I watch the girls disappear into the building while his words land with the exact weight he anticipated.
I might not be able to be a part of Delaney’s life the way I always wished, but I can’t leave her floundering either. I have no idea if she’ll be receptive to my help, but I have to give it a try for the woman who held my future in her hands for so many years.
Chapter Thirteen
Delaney
My stomach is a ball of knots as I step inside The Perfect Petal. There’s a UTV parked outside, and I really hope it’s Poppy’s and not Bennett’s.
The bell on the door rings, announcing my arrival.
Again, the sweet scent of the peonies calls my name. Bennett was right, I’ve always loved them, even if they bring forth the memories that felt so crushing to a teenage girl in love, ripped away from the boy she thought would be her forever.
Poppy comes out of the back with an armful of flowers. “Good morning.” She drops them on the table and comes over, wrapping me in a warm, welcoming hug. “I’m so happy you’re here.”
“Thanks again.” We’ve had this little exchange the last two days.
She pulls away and waves me off, going back to the table with the flowers. “Don’t thank me, we need your help.”
