Page 25 of Unstoppable You (Sapph in the City #6)

Chapter Twenty-Five

Delaney

It was all too easy to fall back into relationship mode with someone, but at the same time, being with James was so different from anything I’d done with Connor.

Firstly, I enjoyed being with her. Any minute I wasn’t in her presence it felt like something was missing. Even my hours at work weren’t the best part of my day anymore. Every day I laughed at least once until tears streamed down my face and my stomach ached because of something silly she’d said.

Having someone in my space again was such a relief. James could be a little bit of a mess, but I didn’t mind. She wasn’t a careless slob like some people.

James respected my opinions and wanted to know what I thought about things. When I talked, she heard and remembered what I said. So many little things that I had never had in a relationship before. It was an adjustment.

Plus, there was the sex. Oh my god. The sex. The sex to end all sex. I was pretty much open for anything and we were blowing through my new Fuckme List with rapid speed. Not everything worked out, but we gave it a shot anyway.

On Thursday she showed up with a pair of black slacks and a button-up shirt and her hair in a low bun and she looked so damn good that I almost canceled on my parents again.

Mom had made lasagna and gave James just as big a hug as she gave to me when I introduced her again. Dad poured her a drink and they both waited for me to give them an explanation as to why I’d brought James with me. She bumped my shoulder with hers in support. I could do this. Taking a breath, I looked at my parents.

“So. Um. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking and exploring since my breakup, and I’ve come to the conclusion that I don’t think I’m straight and James and I are seeing each other.” Mom gasped and yanked both of us into hugs so fast that I couldn’t even finish what I was supposed to say.

Dad poured more drinks and made us do a toast, the biggest grin on his face.

They needed to slow their roll a little bit. “I’m not ready to officially say I’m one way or the other, but I’m testing out the lesbian label and it might be for me. I’m not sure yet. So don’t go out and like, buy a giant lesbian flag to hang in front of the house.”

Mom had been sneakily messing on her phone for the past few moments.

“I got one of the rainbow ones,” she said, turning her screen and showing it to me.

“Jesus Christ,” I said under my breath.

Dad piped up. “You know, one of my buddies online is a member of this group for parents of queer kids. Now what is it called?” Now he was on his phone asking his friend.

I met James’s eyes and she winked at me. “It’s PFLAG.”

Dad snapped his fingers. “That’s it! Let me see if they have a local chapter. We should get informed and involved.”

They were ridiculous.

James and my dad seemed to get along like two peas in a pod and he dragged her off to show her all his projects, including all the vintage sewing machines he was restoring.

Mom sat down with me on the couch with cups of tea with lots of local honey in it.

“Did you know?” I asked her. It was a question I’d been wondering since this whole process started.

Mom shrugged. “I suspected that maybe you had a thing for girls. You would get really intense about some of your friends. But I figured it was best to give you space to figure things out on your own. And then you were with Connor and you told us you were happy, so I didn’t say anything.”

Right. I’d said I was happy. I’d done my utmost to make everyone believe that I had been. For four years I’d lived that lie.

“I didn’t really believe you. A mother knows. But if I’d said anything truly negative about your relationship, you might have pulled away. So I chose to keep it to myself and wait.”

Her smile was sad. There was nothing either of us could do about it now.

“I kind of wish you’d said something.”

She sipped her tea, watching me over the rim of her cup. “Would you have listened?”

No, I wouldn’t have. We both knew that I wouldn’t have.

“You got my stubborn side and your father’s. I know when to pick my battles,” she said.

I sighed.

“I always felt terrible for James. I’d wanted you to invite her over to see if maybe you could work things out. But I’m glad you got here eventually. She’s lovely.”

She was.

“I’m happy,” I said through sudden tears. “I’m really happy, Mom.”

“Oh, my girl.” She pulled me into her arms for a warm hug that smelled like basil and comfort.

“I’m happy for you. And I love you. More than you could possibly know.”

* * *

Hey. Want to go to Sapph tonight? James sent me the message on Friday afternoon.

Yes please! Do you mind if I invite Larison and Jo?

Now that she’d met my parents, it was time for James to officially meet my friends too.

Sounds good!

“Hey, do you think your moms can watch Juniper tonight?” I asked Larison when there was a quiet a moment. We’d been slammed all day. I was filling in for Holiday again because she’d caught a nasty stomach bug. Poor thing was miserable, and I was happy to fill in for her.

“Possibly. Why?”

I told her the plan to go to Sapph.

“That sounds amazing. Hold on.”

After a little back and forth, it was decided that the four of us would go to Sapph and I couldn’t wait.

* * *

“What do you think?” James had come over to my place to help me pick out an outfit to go to Sapph in.

“No,” she said, making a face.

“What’s wrong with it?” I asked. The dress was dark and form-fitting and made me feel sexy.

“Take it off,” she said, snapping her fingers. I’d pulled the dress over my head before realizing what she’d been doing. My last two outfits had also been rejected for no obvious reason.

I glared at her. “You’re just saying no because you want me to take my clothes off.”

She grinned. “Yup.”

“You’re shameless,” I said, throwing a pair of pants at her that she ducked from her position on my bed.

“Yes I am when it comes to getting you naked.”

I pointed at her. “Shameless.”

Deciding to ignore her advice, I put the dress back on and checked myself in the mirror.

“Hair up or down?” I asked, gathering it in my hand.

“Up, so it’s not all sweaty on your gorgeous neck.” James got up from the bed and started kissing my neck, making me completely forget what I was supposed to be doing.

“Mmmm, that’s nice.”

Why were we going out again? Why would I want to go out when I could spend the night in bed with her?

“Want me to put it up for you?” she asked, resting her chin on my shoulder and meeting my eyes in the mirror. Her fingers danced up and down my spine and I wanted to take my dress off again and let her have her way with me.

“Yes please.”

James did my hair for me and I kissed her as a thank you.

“Ready to go?” she asked.

“Yeah.”

* * *

We met Larison and Jo right outside Sapph.

“I feel like I should officially introduce you. This is James.” I gestured to her, feeling a little formal and foolish.

“It’s nice to meet you finally,” Larison said, nodding to James. “I’m Larison.”

James leaned closer to me. “Larison. Nice to meet you too.”

“I’m Jo.” They nodded at each other and we walked into the bar, paying our cover. There. Now they’d met.

“Want me to get drinks?” Jo asked. It made sense to send one of us, so we didn’t have to wait as long. She took our orders and we looked around to find a place to park ourselves. There was a high-top table in one corner that Larison was able to nab.

“You gonna dance with me, baby?” James asked in my ear.

Nothing could stop me. “Absolutely.”

I gazed at her and couldn’t stop myself from kissing her immediately.

“Cheers to that,” I heard Larison say and then there was a clinking noise.

James pulled back and we found Larison and Jo giving us both smug smiles.

“It’s good to see you happy, Delaney,” my best friend said.

Jo raised her glass. “To Delaney!”

I lifted mine. “And to James!”

“Delaney and James!”

We drank and then I pulled her onto the dance floor and we finally got to dance together the way I wanted. It was the perfect night.