Page 82

The extra space was nice, and it was good for me to have a door I could shut so she could listen to her music while I did client meetings in the office.

I’d also finally cut off contact with my family after the Connor in New Hampshire incident. The guilt they’d tried to pile on me for not going to get him was the final straw, but without Delaney’s support I wouldn’t have been able to block their numbers at last. Now I would get the occasional email, but I had a filter on my email, and I deleted them without reading. Delaney’s parents had swept me right into their family and I’d grown incredibly close with her dad.

“Okay, we have to hurry,” I told her. We were not only meeting with Larison and Jo, but with a whole group of other sapphics that we’d become friends with. I’d invited Lea, but she had some event this weekend that she couldn’t miss. She and I had become besties, and I was so glad that I’d met her.

Delaney took my hand as we walked toward the park where the parade was supposed to start.

“You seriously look amazing, baby,” I told her as she floated and twirled beside me. “Everyone is going to be jealous of me.”

I saw our friends and we both waved, but Delaney stopped me.

“What is it?” I asked, turning to face her.

“Just wanted to tell you that I couldn’t have gotten here without you. I didn’t know it was possible to be this happy, James. I love you so much.”

She had heels on that made her almost as tall as I was, which made it much easier to kiss her. I was a big fan of the shoes. Hopefully I could convince her to keep them on later when we went to bed.

“I’ve always loved you, Delaney. Always.” I gathered her into my arms, and she squealed as I carried her the rest of the way to meet all of our friends.

* * *