It's About Time (Blossom Peak #4)(89)

Her chin dips in agreement. “True, but you know that means you’ll need to tell Elliot eventually why you wrote him off all those years ago too if this turns into something more, right?”

I stare into the eyes of my best friend. “And how the hell am I supposed to know if that’s what I want?”

“You don’t have to make up your mind about that this second. But perhaps you just keep an open mind and see how you feel over the next couple of weeks?”

I shake my head. “I just don’t understand how my feelings toward him can shift so quickly.”

“Because anger can mask a lot of feelings, especially the ones we never want to face.” Her hand rests on her small bump again as she smiles. “But I’m telling you, Dilynne, facing the truth was the best thing I’ve ever done in my life. I wouldn’t have Fletcher and this baby now if I hadn’t.”

“You know I don’t want a baby, Laney,” I say.

“I know, but that doesn’t mean you couldn’t have all of the other stuff, like a partner who respects you, encourages you, and appreciates you for the incredible woman that you are. I guess the question is, are you willing to risk your heart again to get it?”

My eyes start to well with tears. “I’m scared, Laney.”

“Good. Just don’t let your fear keep you from living your life.”





Chapter 25





Elliot



The Road to Somewhere Special


“You brought road trip snacks?” Dilynne turns to me for just a second before focusing her eyes back on the road.

I reach into the plastic bag and make quick work of pulling out a few necessities. “I sort of have this irrational fear of being stranded in the middle of nowhere without food.”

“That’s a very specific fear,” she says with a quirk of her lips.

“I wish it were the only one, but sadly, I have quite a few.”

We’ve been on the road for only thirty minutes, but I finally feel like my chest has started to loosen.

After Thursday night, Dilynne and I barely spoke yesterday. I wanted to give her some space, and part of me needed the same.

The night at her house was…intense. Part of me wonders if I should have put myself out there more, but I didn’t really get the reassurance I needed from her that this isn’t just about lust. And without that, I worry if developing something serious with her is a lost cause.

I can tell that her ex did a number on her. Hell, that’s one commonality that we share, despite our many differences.

But if there’s one thing the past few weeks have taught me, it’s that timing is everything. This fake engagement would never have worked years before. Dilynne and I aren’t the same people as we were back when we were younger, with good reason.

I was a cocky kid with so much still to learn.

But I think I’m finally starting to see the light, to understand what’s important in my life—something real.

And Dilynne Marie Clark is about as real as it gets.

She’s unapologetically herself. She knows who she is and doesn’t cater to other people’s expectations. Hell, even the way she stood up to my father has made me respect her in a way I didn’t know was possible.

But what really sealed the deal for me over the past month is seeing a side of her that most people don’t get to see.

The instinct to protect the soft, feminine, sensitive woman she is on the inside makes me want to suit up for battle and defend her to the depths of the earth—the same way she showed up for me when all I did was try to push her away.

And so, I’m just trying to prove to her that she can trust me, and with time, I hope she will.

“So, is that what we’re going to do on this road trip, Elliot? Tell each other our deepest, darkest secrets?”

I glance over at her and shrug. “If you want.”

“Ha. No, thank you,” she jokes, but I can tell the topic has made her uncomfortable.

“Maybe later then.” I reach for the bag of Cool Ranch Doritos, pop it open, and hold it out to her. “Want some?”

“ Hell yeah. These are my favorite.” She slides her hand inside the bag and takes out a handful.

“I know.”

Her eyes meet mine, asking so many questions without ever speaking a word.

“I also got Sour Patch peaches, and some shortbread cookies from Bites & Bliss.”

She arches a brow. “Any special messages on them?”

I pop open the box and read them out loud since she’s driving. “Eat Me. Pull my hair. Bend over.”

She rolls her eyes and glances back over to me. “I’m beginning to sense a theme with your baked goods.”

Closing the box, I put it back in the bag. “I’m pretty sure you’re the one who started this, weren’t you?”

Dilynne keeps her eyes forward, not bothering to look at me now at all. “I did. But I also find it interesting that you brought most of my favorite foods on this trip, besides…”

“French toast,” I finish for her, and that makes her peer over at me again. “Have you forgotten that we’ve known each other for almost nineteen years, Dilynne?”

She huffs out a laugh. “No, Elliot. I most certainly have not forgotten that detail.”