Page 99 of The Stranger

“Are you sure you want to do this?” I ask as I straighten my bowtie in the mirror.

“I don’t feel like I have a choice. Having you with me tonight will help.”

“You always have a choice, Delilah.”

When I glance over my shoulder at her sitting on the edge of the bed with her head bowed, I turn and close the distance between us. Squatting down in front of her, I cup her face in my hands.

I don’t like seeing her like this.

It reminds me of the broken woman I first met, that one who was constantly let down and overlooked by her family.

Delilah is not like that when she’s with me, and I hate that the thought of being around those people again has her reverting to the person she once was.

“Sweetheart,” I say, tilting her chin with my finger. “If you don’t want to go, just say the word and we won’t.”

“I have to go. She is my sister.”

“The same sister who’s getting engaged to your ex-fiancé.”

She screws up her cute little nose. “Don’t remind me.”

“You owe these people nothing.” When she tries to look away, I bring her face back to me. “Does that still upset you?” I ask as I brace myself for her answer.

Things have been great between us … so good I have these brief moments where I’m paralysed with fear.

What if things between us don’t last?

She’s young, she still has her whole life ahead of her. I know with all certainty that she’s that once-in-a-lifetime love people talk about, the one you can’t live without or ever get over.

If she turns around now and says it upsets her … that she still has feelings for that fuckface, it will crush me. I thought she’d moved past this … she told me once that she felt more for me than she ever did for him. Was that a lie?

“Seeing the two of them together?”

“Yes.”

“God, no. That part doesn’t bother me in the slightest.”

“Then what is upsetting you?”

“It will be weird seeing all our old friends and his family again after everything that happened. Will I look pathetic being there? Like the bitter ex that can’t let go? Because despite what others may think, I’ve moved on.”

“No. Not at all,” I say as my smile grows. “You will look like the strong kick-arse woman you are. Besides, you’ll have me by your side, and I plan on sticking to you like glue.”

Some of the sparkle returns to her eyes. “Promise.”

“Cross my heart.”

I stand to full height, reaching for her hand. Once she’s on her feet, she steps into my open arms and hugs my waist. “Thank you,” she whispers into my chest. “I’m so lucky to have you.”

Leaning down, I place my lips on the top of her head. “Ditto, Delilah. Ditto.”

Chapter 32

Delilah

“Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?” Spencer asks, reaching across the centre console for one of my hands that are fidgeting in my lap.

“Twice,” I reply, glancing over at him with a smile.