Page 72 of Sin With Me

When I texted Harlow if she knew about Wilder being allowed to come, she told me what Waylon had said. Since this was a pre-planned trip and the ranch is sponsoring Ellie, his probation officer signed off on it—with the provision that he not get into any trouble while he's there.

She also told me that Waylon put me back on babysitting Wilder duty. Not that I mind, but I haven't exactly kept Harlow and Waylon updated, so I just sent back a salute-emoji.

"Trust me, I know. I had to get permission to miss my anger management class tomorrow night and skip my volunteer hours this weekend."

"Alright, so no gettin' shitfaced or punchin' people."

His tongue pokes against his cheek as if he's trying not to laugh. "Don't plan on it."

Once it's time to head back to our gate to catch our second flight, I can't stop smiling. Wilder and I being back to playful banter is enough to put me in a good mood for the rest of the month. Not talking or seeing him is torture. I'd rather go back to him rowdy and pissing me off than no contact at all.

But this time, I'm filled with nerves and butterflies.

We didn't really label things between us, which is fine since he's been clear about his feelings, but I wish we had more time to talk and actually discuss what this means moving forward.

"Seems you and Wilder had a good chat," Mom says, leaning over toward me.

It only took her ten minutes after our plane took off to bring it up.

"Mm-hmm, we did," I say without giving anything away.

"And? What'd happen?"

"Are you being a gossip, Mama?" I taunt, knowing how much she hates the rumor mills.

"No! I'm sharin' an interest in my daughter's love life. I just wanna know if I'm lookin' at grandbabies in a few years...or like twenty."

"Mama!" I whisper-hiss, playfully scolding her. "You'll get them from Harlow before you get them from me."

"Okay, well then, maybe a weddin'?" she says all-too eagerly. "Nothin' big, just a sweet little outdoor ceremony and reception."

I gape at her like she's lost her mind. "Again, Harlow will beat me to the altar. You'll get your mother-of-the-bride moment with her soon enough."

"Why do you say that? Has Waylon said somethin' to you?"

And just like that, I'm no longer the topic of conversation.

Thank God.

Over three hours of my mother talking my ear off means I had no time to process what happened during the layover. Encouraging a battle of who will crack first in kissing the other is literally the worst thing I could've agreed to since I was ready to jump him in the middle of the airport.

After we land, I text Mattie that we made it and give her a quick update.

Mattie

OMG about fucking time!!!

Delilah

Oh shush! I'm still mentally freaking out a little, but I'm trying not to let it get to me. He agreed to go slow, so that helps.

Mattie

Slow?? Going slow is for teenagers and senior citizen couples! Put that sexy lingerie set on and rock his world to the moon and back.

Delilah

Oh my God.