It's About Time (Blossom Peak #4)(65)

“Damn. I didn’t know your family was that loaded.”

Her comment makes me think of something. “Yeah, well, I’m not so sure that’s the case now.”

“What do you mean?”

“Remember how I told you about the conversation between my dad and Tori?”

“Uh, yeah. I’m still trying to figure out the pieces to that mystery.”

“Well, I also saw a delinquent bill when I was in his office.”

“Meaning…”

“Meaning he’s late on paying a loan back to a bank or something.”

Dilynne rubs her forehead as she thinks. “Huh.”

“ What are you thinking?”

“Don’t be mad, but I told the girls about the conversation you overheard, and Vienna made a good point.”

I glance at her as my parents’ house comes into view. “Which is?”

“People will do shady shit for money.”

Before I can respond, we pull up to the wrought-iron gate that surrounds my parents’ property.

Dilynne gawks out the windshield. “Wow. I can’t believe I’ve never been here before.”

I punch the code in and wait for the gate to slide open. “Well, we weren’t exactly besties having sleepovers.”

Dilynne huffs out a laugh. “Fair point. Speaking of sleepovers, I booked us a room for our Georgia trip next week.”

“Thanks for thinking of that. Just let me know how much I owe you.”

“I already told you, I don’t need your money, Elliot. Besides, it’s a trip to get parts for my car…just let me take care of it.”

I nod as I pull up to the semicircle driveway and stop right in front of the house, sliding the truck into park and shutting off the engine before turning to face her.

God, she looks so fucking gorgeous. Her dark eyes framed by dark lashes that make her look dangerous, lips painted the same cherry red as the bandana she usually wears, and her fucking boobs.

I’ve been near her without a bra on twice at this point, and Dilynne doesn’t have a massive chest, but whatever bra she has on tonight is making them look good enough to lick.

I wonder if she’ll take this bra off too, and then I can add it to my collection.

Oh, you mean the two you have now, Elliot? Since you snatched up the one from her shop the other night when she wasn’t lookin g?

“Fine. Then let me take care of you tonight. If it gets to be too much, just squeeze my thigh under the table and I’ll get us out of here, all right?”

She cups the side of my face, which I assume is meant to be playful by the grin on her lips.

But fuck, her touch is warm, soft, and makes me want to pull her lips to mine to see what she tastes like.

“I can handle whatever your dear ol’ daddy has to throw at us. Trust me, he’s the one who should be worried, not me.”

I don’t get a chance to say anything in response because I see the front door of the house open through the window.

“Game faces on,” I whisper before stepping out of my truck, rounding the hood, and opening up her car door to help her out. With her hand in mine, I lead her up the steps to the front door where my mother and father are waiting for us.

“Hi, Mom.” I greet her with a kiss on the cheek, still holding Dilynne’s hand in mine. Mitsy is in my mom’s arms, trying to give me a kiss back. “Hey, Mitsy.” I scratch her behind her ears.

“She’s missed you since you never come visit us anymore,” my mother says with a wink. And then her eyes land on Dilynne. “Dilynne Clark.” Her eyes go wide. “I have to say, I don’t ever think I’ve seen you this dressed up.”

Dilynne plasters a smile on her face that looks unnatural, but I see when her veil slips into place. “I only get dressed up like this for people who matter.” She releases my hand and steps forward, giving my mom a hug. “It’s good to see you. I can’t remember the last time we crossed paths.”

“It was probably when we dropped off our cars to get serviced at your shop.” My dad steps forward, reaching out to shake my hand. “Son.”

“ Dad. You know Dilynne, my fiancé.” I drop his hand and place mine on her lower back, pulling her into me.

“I must say, Miss Clark. I didn’t know you could clean up so well.”

“I’m sure there’s a lot that you don’t know about me,” Dilynne replies. I have to fight to hide my smile. “But hopefully by the end of the night, that will change.”

My dad raises an eyebrow at her. “Indeed.”

Mom clears her throat. “Well, let’s stop talking through the door and head into the den for drinks before dinner.”

Dilynne inhales deeply, so I hold us back as my parents walk away from us. “You good?”

“Oh yeah. Just don’t let me drink too much because there’s no telling what will come out of my mouth.”

I chuckle. “Deal. Although, hearing you tell off my dad would be the highlight of my night.”

She twists to face me. “Don’t ask for something you aren’t ready for, Elliot Thorne.”

“I don’t know. I’m beginning to think I might like making some trouble for a change.”

***

“This wine is from Hart Winery, isn’t it?” Dilynne asks as she takes a second sip from her glass.