Page 65 of The Edge of Summer

“You wouldn’t survive shopping with my mom. Her list is organized by category and follows the exact route she takes around the store.”

Delilah laughs. “God, IwishI was that organized.”

We walk the produce department, Delilah pointing out what she wants. Before we pass it by, I can’t help but lift a bunch of bananas from the display and arch a brow. When Delilah sees them, she rolls her eyes.

We eventually make it to the cereal aisle, and Delilah holds up a hand. “Let me guess,” she insists. Her eyes trace me, assessing for hints of my go-to breakfast. “You strike me as a Raisin Bran kind of guy.”

I scoff. “Raisin Bran?”

She grins. “I’m sure the high fibre content would help dislodge that stick up your ass.”

Despite myself, I laugh. “You really think I eat the breakfast of a grandma?”

“I think you eat the breakfast of a serious man with important, serious man things to do.” Her voice lowers as she tries—and fails—to imitate me.

My hand settles on her hip as I lean in close, careful not to let Sophia hear. My lips brush Delilah’s ear when I say, “Hmm. I can think of something else I’d much rather have for breakfast.”

When I pull back, her eyes are already trained on me. They swirl with want, and coupled with her rosy cheeks, I know my words had the intended effect. My lips curve into a smirk.

“Well, that’s not fair,” she protests.

“When it comes to you, pretty girl, I play to win.” These words seem to fluster her. With a chuckle, I change the subject. “I bet you would choose cereal that rots your teeth. Lucky Charms?”

“If you’re going to eat cereal, it might as well be fun.” She looks down at her sister, still clinging to her side. “Right, Soph?”

We leave that aisle and head into the next. “I am capable of fun, you know,” I say. Delilah simply hums as her eyes scan the shelves. “What? Iam.”

She glances at me over her shoulder with a smirk. “The lord doth protest too much, methinks.”

I cross my arms. “I’m not sure where everyone is getting this idea.”

I know exactly where everyone is getting this idea. Nothing about me screamsfun. But being around Delilah makes me want to find that part of myself that’s been missing for so long. The part that makes smiling a little easier.

“Fine,” she concedes, “if you’re so fun, then I’m sure you’ll have no trouble proving it.”

This playful groove we’ve fallen into is easy. It feels natural. I hold my arms out in abring it ongesture. “I’m ready. What do I have to do?”

Delilah leans down and whispers something in her sister’s ear. Sophia still hasn’t entirely shaken off the incident from earlier, but her lips still stretch into a smile. She nods emphatically. “Do you wanna see a movie in the backyard with us?” she asks in her small voice.

Any respectable man would have trouble saying no to her. I probably should say no, even though it would kill me. Getting too attached to Delilah’s siblings is a recipe for disaster. But those baby blue eyes spear me, and I’m a goner, disaster be damned.

“I would love to.”

Delilah’s mouth involuntarily pops open in shock. “Really?”

I raise a brow. “Was the offer sincere?”

Slowly, she nods. “It was.”

“Then yes, really.”

“Alright,” she says, turning away and walking further down the aisle. “We’re going to need some popcorn and lots of M&Ms.”

CHAPTER

TWENTY-FOUR

DELILAH