The warm breeze brushed past Delilah, shifting her silk dress across her legs. It was silly, but she hoped Christian liked her outfit. She decided that if he didn’t make a move, she’d ask him.
Footsteps sounded behind her and she glanced over her shoulder. Her stomach bottomed out when she saw Lance a block away with his eyes trained on her.
Why the hell did I ever date him?
Ever since that night, he was always showing up, following her with a dark scowl on his face. Delilah couldn’t believe she was the first to turn down his advances. Who the hell wants to deal with an overbearing asswipe?
Lance was the typical, cocky, high school jock who was too hot for his own good. He was twenty-three now, going nowhere in Edenton, and he still thought he was God’s gift to women.
Now that she saw how he really was, she was disgusted by him and herself. Him for being a pig. Her for not seeing it sooner.
She turned the corner and caught a glimpse of him closer than before. Her skin crawled, and she started to regret not telling Dad.
Her father was a giant burly officer who would likely make Lance shit bricks. Maybe it was stupid, but she wanted to prove that she could fight her own battles.
Lance needed to get over himself. She wasn’t interested in a quick fuck, as she had told him at the end of their pathetic attempt at a date.
He was closer, and she could hear his heavy footfalls closing the distance. She held her breath as she slipped into A Good Book.
Lance wasn’t fond of books, so she doubted he would bother coming in. And she was right. Delilah shut the door and Lance kept walking, his eyes sliding over her greedily.
“Fucker,” she muttered as she flipped him off. She sighed in relief as she crossed the room, and slid into the seat at the counter.
Christian’s velvet smooth voice pulled her from her thoughts. “Good morning, Delilah. Are you okay?”
Too bad he wore a frown, and his golden brown eyes narrowed on her in concern. She had been looking forward to his sweet, shy smile that brought out his dimple as he ducked his head, causing his dark blond hair to fall into his eyes. One day she would give in to temptation and push his hair off his face to stare deep into his eyes.
Man, I have it bad.
She couldn’t help smiling at him. “Hey, Christian. I’m fine, but I can’t figure out why the Captain of the Asshole Squad keeps following me around.”
He shrugged, one side of his mouth lifting as humor flashed across his expression. “Would you like your normal drink?”
The tension slid from her shoulders. He had a way of wiping out the worry, the stress, even the anger. It felt good to be around him.
“Mmm, you know I do,” she murmured.
These were her favorite moments of her day, getting to watch him while he made her coffee. He was long, lean, but in great shape. He practiced yoga, of all things, but man, did it leave him looking good.
He bent to grab the carton, and looked up at her with that shy smile if his. Her insides turned to jelly. She couldn’t stop her own grin. Ducking his head, he straightened to steam the milk.
He didn’t look up when he asked, “Are you sticking around to look at books?”
“No.” She sighed, regretting that she really didn’t have time. “I have an interview in a bit. I might come back later though.”
“Good, I like your daily visits,” he admitted as he glanced away.
“Think you might….” Lance walked back by the shop and she trailed off.
Christian frowned at the door. “Would you like me to walk you to your car?”
She did, but not for that reason and she had walked anyway. “No. I’ll be fine. I might just duck out the back.”
“Oh, okay.” His expression dropped clean off his face as he handed her the drink. “Be safe. He’s giving me a bad vibe.”
That gave her pause. Christian had a knack for sensing things. He never claimed being psychic, but he always knew just what to say or ask, as long as it didn’t have to do with asking her out.
She slid her money across the counter. “Are you busy tonight?”
He shrugged. “I thought I might lose myself in a book.”
What she wouldn’t give to be able to read him better. She couldn’t tell if he was interested but shy, or if he only liked what he saw but didn’t want a girlfriend.
“Well, enjoy your book.” She stood and gave a little wave before slipping down the hall and into the alley, hoping Lance wouldn’t notice her disappearing act.
* * * *
Christian wanted to smack himself as he watched Delilah walk out of the shop. The question had been on the tip of his tongue, and then he chickened out. Again.
I’m such a pussy.
“Hey, kid,” Tremaine called as he came from the back. “You need to just spit it out. She wants you, but she’s not convinced you really want her.”
“I know,” Christian muttered. “I just don’t know what to say.”
“So, Del, want to go out with me… would work.” Tremaine winked as he started toward an aisle.
Christian narrowed his eyes. “That why you haven’t asked Liz out, in what… 20 years? Probably more?”
“Look, we’re not going there,” Tremaine warned.
“Yeah, yeah, ‘cuz that shit’s complicated.” That was the same excuse Tremaine had used for years.
“That doesn’t even scratch the surface.”
Christian slumped against the counter. He didn’t understand why the two of them didn’t uncomplicate their situation.
Years of being in love, and neither Tremaine nor Liz would venture there. Christian didn’t understand why they both tried to push him into action with Delilah when neither of them could see what was right in front of them.
As for Delilah, it wasn’t time, or maybe it wasn’t right yet. He had a feeling that things would work out soon. Maybe that’s why his tongue was always tied.