It's About Time (Blossom Peak #4)(29)

“Why?”

Her brows draw together again. “Why what?”

“Why do we hate each other, Dilynne?”

Her lips part, but she closes them again. And for the second time, she ignores that question. The only other time I’ve prodded was the day she took me to the junkyard. After that, I tolerated her intrusion in my life because her annoying me actually gave me something to look forward to—whether it was her showing up to my house to make sure that I’d showered or eaten in those first few months, or the insulting baked goods she still delivers to me. But I’d never fucking admit that out loud.

Unfortunately, it’s those gestures that have also made me realize what my grandfather used to talk about—how the small things really turn out to be the big things in the long run.

And as I realize that my first crush on Dilynne back in high school wasn’t as far-fetched as I thought, I’m struggling with why these feelings are so much stronger this time around.

No matter what, though, no one can know about my feelings—past or present.

“Are you gonna agree to this or not, Elliot? I don’t have all night. I have a bubble bath with my name on it at home.”

“You take bubble baths?”

“It’s one of my guilty pleasures,” she answers curtly, surprising me yet again.

I drum my fingers on the table as I consider it. “Tell me how this is going to work, Dil.”

Tha t makes her perk back up. She folds her hands together on the table in front of her. “Well, I think being boyfriend and girlfriend won’t be enough to deter Tori. If she thinks we are getting married, that will really seal the deal.”

I nearly choke. “You want to be my fiancée? Not just my girlfriend?”

Dilynne laughs behind her hand. “I don’t want to be your anything, Elliot. But that girl is not giving up easily. And if she thinks that you really moved on from her, it’s going to piss her off even more.” The corner of her mouth tips up. “That part makes me even more giddy about this idea. But the reality is, she needs to really believe that there is not a single chance you would take her back.”

“Trust me. I wouldn’t.”

She nods. “I know. I know how far you’ve come and you’d be stupid to even consider it, just so we’re clear.”

“Believe me, I’m fully aware,” I say, surprised by how much her acknowledgment of my progress affects me. As much as it shouldn’t, her praise means something to me. And the truth is, I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for her—something else I don’t want to admit.

Fuck.

“And what about Vinnie? Would he believe that you’d be engaged to someone?”

Dilynne looks away from me. “Yes. He would.”

“Really?”

Her hands fly in the air. “Yes, okay?”

My back hits the booth behind me. “Jesus, no need to fucking yell.”

“Well, stop acting like me ever wanting to get married is such a fucking shock!”

“Uh, it fucking is, Dilynne! It’s…” I wave my hand toward her. “You!”

Rol ling her eyes, she crosses her arms over her chest and continues to avoid eye contact. “Oh, trust me. I know all about how you feel about me.”

My head rears back. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

She sighs, drops her arms, and finally meets my gaze again. “Look, we’re getting off topic.”

“No shit, and we’re fucking fighting like we always do. How on earth are we ever going to convince people that we like each other, Dilynne? Especially enough to agree to marry one another?”

“We act. Trust me, I can pretend very convincingly if it means I don’t have to think about something or someone else.” She trails her finger along the top of my hand, teasing me.

And there goes my dick again.

“I, uh…”

Come on, Elliot. You’ve been fucking pretending that this woman doesn’t make you hard for months. What’s another six weeks?

“Wh—what about our friends? Our family?” I say, fighting the sensation her touch is sending across my skin before pulling my hand away from her.

“They can know the truth,” she says, popping her shoulder. “In fact, I think it will be better if they do because they can help sell it.”

Something dawns on me. “My father won’t agree to that. Hell, he’s the reason that Tori is back, Dil. He’s the one that wants me to hear her out.”

Her bottom lip rolls between her teeth again. “Yeah, you’re right. Then we’re gonna have to sell it to him, too.”

“I—” Sighing, I blow out a breath and push my hand through my hair. “I don’t fucking know…”

“Stop being a fucking baby, and just trust me, will you?”

I a rch a brow at her. “Insulting me? Really? That’s how you’re trying to persuade me to agree to this?”

“Well, trying to reason with you isn’t working.”

“Because this doesn’t seem like a logical plan. Being engaged, Dilynne? Only a year after I was left by my fiancée? I’m not sure people are going to buy it.”

“Then what’s your plan to get rid of Tori, huh? Because newsflash, Elliot…you and I both know firsthand what that girl is capable of. She already tricked you into thinking she changed once.”