It's About Time (Blossom Peak #4)(116)

“Elliot is a good man, Dil,” he says, cutting me off. “And I told him that too. But he knows that you will always come first for me. So if he hurts you, I won’t hesitate to make sure he knows that I have no problem introducing my fist to his face.”

Smi ling over at my brother, I feel my eyes start to sting. “How did I get so lucky to have a big brother like you, Gorilla Man?”

Henley laughs. “Thank God we’ve had each other over the years, huh?”

“I wouldn’t be who I am today without you, Henley. I mean that.”

I see his eyes well with tears before he looks away. “Fuck, Dilynne. I hate crying, you know that.”

My chest bounces with a chuckle. “Well, Elodie and Remy have made you a big old softie after all, haven’t they?”

He glances back over at me. “Falling in love has changed my entire life, Dil. And if you think Elliot is worth the leap, then I support you. Just make sure he’s who you want. All I’ve ever wanted is for you to feel loved and find someone that appreciates you for who you are.”

“He is that man, Henley. You showed me that first though, and I’ll never take it for granted. I promise.”

We stand at the same time as he pulls me into his chest, holding me close. “So, now I have to act normal around the two of you knowing you two are bumping uglies.” He shakes his head. “Not sure I’m going to get used to that quickly.”

“First of all, that euphemism for sex should definitely be retired. And second, yes, you need to keep your opinions to yourself or I’ll just make sure to mount him in front of you every chance I get.”

***

I hold up my wine glass and take a deep breath before blurting, “Elliot and I are dating for real.”

Elodie squeals and Vienna bounces in her seat. Meanwhile, Laney just glances over at me and shrugs since she already knew.

“ Oh my God! I’m so excited!” Elodie says, clinking her glass with mine. “When you two get married for real, can I write your wedding song, please? I already have a bunch of ideas.”

My eyes go wide. “You do?”

“Yes, but no matter what lyrics I decide on, the title will be ‘It’s About Time.’”

“Aw, I love that,” Laney says while rubbing her stomach. Her tiny bump has finally appeared and her hand never seems to leave it now.

Vienna does the same. “That couldn’t be more perfect, Elodie,” she says.

“Right? I just feel like it’s so fitting for the two of them.” She turns back to face me. “Okay, so how did all of this go down? I need details, and don’t spare any of them.”

For the next hour, I bring the girls up to speed on how everything developed with me and Elliot, and once Elodie’s curiosity is satisfied since I didn’t get to go into detail at dinner with Nick and Carol last night, it’s past nine o’clock so her and Vienna have to head home.

Laney stays behind to help me clean up since all she has to do is walk across the yard to get to her house. “So, does this mean Fletcher and I are going to hear the two of you having sex now?”

“I think it’s only fitting since I’ve heard the two of you.”

Her mouth falls open. “Really?”

“Once or twice,” I answer honestly. “Hey, don’t be embarrassed. I’m glad that your husband can make you scream like that.”

“Coming from anyone but you, that might make me blush.”

I circle the counter and wrap my arms around her. “Well, that’s why we’re best friends. We can be honest with each other about anything.”

She leans back and meets my gaze. “I’m so fucking proud of you, Dilynne. Not only for Motorlux, but for opening yourself up to the possibility of love again.”

The sting of tears hits my eyes. “You know, I wouldn’t be able to take that leap without you.”

Her eyes well too. “Same. I swear, God gave us each other because he knew that the two of us needed someone we could depend on no matter what.”

A tear slips down my cheek. “And I will always be here, Laney. I promise you that.”

“I’m about to be a mom, and all I can think about is my mom and how I wish she were here.”

“You know she’s with you. She would be so proud of you too. But I know that you’re going to be the best mom, Laney. That child is going to know love that is indescribable.”

“And he or she is going to have the best aunt on the planet in you.”

I pop my shoulder. “You know it.”

“I love you, Dilynne, and I’m so happy for you and Elliot.”

“Right back at you, babe.”

“But if something ever goes wrong with our men for either of us, promise me that we will move in together and live out the rest of our lives by each other’s side.”

“Deal. As long as you don’t mind me smelling like grease.”

“I’ve dealt with it this long. I think I can do an eternity as well.”





Chapter 34





Elliot



Making Plans & A New Tradition



Three Months Later


“Now, do you remember the first step I told you that most people forget?”