Page 67 of The Stranger

“Oh, so now you want to act your age?”

“You mean geriatric, ancient … prehistoric?”

I see the corners of her lips curve up into a tiny grin. “At least you are finally admitting it, old man.”

I bark out a laugh. “I’m admitting to nothing. You wait until you turn thirty-two, I’m going to buy you a mobility walking frame, denture paste, and some hearing aids.”

“Hmm,” she hums, rolling her lips to hide her smile. “Don’t waste your money, I can just borrow yours.”

I tap the tips of my fingers on the tabletop as I try to think of something to say that will not push her further away. In the end, I decided to go with the truth.

“I know I’ve already told you how sorry I am, and I’m sure you don’t want to hear it again, but I don’t like where we are heading. Can you tell me what I can do to make things right between us? I’ve missed you, Delilah.”

My admission has her eyebrows jumping. “You do?”

“I’m sure you’ve noticed I don’t have a lot of friends.” I actually have a lot. I’ve just been busy since I took over my father’s company and have had little time to maintain them.

Her eyes slightly narrow. “That wouldn’t have anything to do with your growly personality, would it?”

I find myself laughing again. This is what I’ve missed. Just being in her presence has me feeling lighter than I have in days.

“Possibly,” I say. “Are we good?”

She lifts one shoulder. “I suppose.”

Her response was a little more lacklustre than I had hoped, but at least it wasn’t a no. “So, no more hiding in your bedroom and living off sugary snacks?”

Before she answers my question, the waitress approaches our table to take our orders. I haven’t even looked at the menu yet, so I pick it up and scan over the selections. I’ve never eaten here before, it’s just some hole in the wall, and it makes me wonder if she bought me here on purpose.

I sit back and wait to see what she orders. “Can I get a Cajun chicken burger with fries and a coke, please?”

“I’ll get the same,” I add.

Delilah glances at me over the top of her menu. It’s not what I usually eat, but I’m willing to give something new a try.

For her.

Chapter 23

Delilah

“How are you finding the new position?” Spencer asks before biting into his burger. I wasn’t expecting him to order the same as me, and I’m equally shocked he didn’t decide to eat his meal with a knife and fork. It’s so far away from the fancy food he’s used to.

I watch on as he chews a few times, and then nods. That movement has me grinning.

“It’s okay,” I answer truthfully. “Marcy seems nice enough … way less growly than my last boss. She also gets her own coffee in the morning.”

“Right,” he says, chuckling.

“I was used to how things worked on your floor, but hopefully I pick up my new responsibilities quickly enough.”

He nods once as he pops a fry into his mouth. “It feels weird without you there. I know the move was short notice, but Laura’s husband recently lost his job, so she needed to come back to work early.”

“Oh,” I say, feeling guilty for acting all butt-hurt about the move. “Poor thing. It wouldn’t be easy having to leave her baby so soon.”

“I’m guessing not. She’s already burst into tears once this morning, and suffered two … umm … milk leaks.”

I burst out laughing at the awkward face he pulled with the last part of his statement.