It's About Time (Blossom Peak #4)(91)

“ Why don’t you quit then?”

“Because I still love the job, just not the environment. I mean, I watched my grandpa do it with such passion that it made me want to be like him. But I didn’t look up to my grandfather because of his job.”

“What was it then?”

Looking over at her, I pause for a beat before answering. “It was the way he loved my grandmother that I appreciated the most about him.”

Dilynne smirks in my direction. “Oh my God. Elliot Thorne, the last thing you’ve ever made me consider is that you are a closet romantic.”

“Because I haven’t been for a long time.”

“So you were before?”

“Before what?”

She holds her hand up. “Before all the girls and one-night stands. Before you hit your head and chose Tori as someone you thought was worth marrying.”

“Yes. Before I balked at the idea of monogamy, I used to think that everyone had someone out there that could make them believe in love.”

“So what changed that?”

I rub my hands on my shorts. “When I was younger, I spent weekends at my grandparents’ house and watched the way they were with each other. Hell, he used to buy her favorite snacks at the store and bring her flowers just because.” I shake my head at the memory. “He talked about her like she was the best part of his life, that he didn’t know how amazing life could be until he met her, and how much she changed his for the better.”

“Damn. What a lucky girl.”

“Oh, she loved him too. But after my grandpa died and my grandmother shortly after, the only example I had for a relationship was my parent s. And let’s just say they showed me the ugly side of what love can do to two people.”

Dilynne clears her throat. “I’ve always sort of picked up on a weird tension between them. What do you think caused that?”

Talking about this instantly makes me grow uneasy. I shift in my seat, trying to get more comfortable. “Not many people know because protecting our family’s reputation has always been of the utmost importance. ‘Thornes don’t discuss personal matters,’” I say, mimicking my father’s voice.

“Spot on impression of your dad, by the way,” Dilynne says, making me chuckle and lightening the topic of conversation slightly.

Fuck. I love that she can do that for me, a detail about her that I’ve overlooked for years.

“Thanks. But I think not talking about our feelings is part of the reason why he thought bringing Tori back was a good idea—because he was unfaithful to my mom, and when she found out, she just…acted like it never happened.”

“What? How?” Dilynne barks out. “When I found out that Vinnie was cheating on me, I bought bear shit and put it in the engine and fuel lines of his Bel Air!”

I stare over at her, a little concerned. “Uh… where does one even purchase bear shit, Dilynne?”

She shrugs nonchalantly. “There are people out there who understand the motives for revenge. Let’s just…leave it at that.”

Sighing, I brush a hand through my hair. “Well, plotting revenge would mean that my mother would lose her posh life she’s become accustomed to, so…”

“Do you think your mom knows about what’s going on with your d ad? Or Tori?”

“Probably not. They’ve never been the type to handle issues together. Dad controls everything, Mom just nods along and keeps swiping her cards.”

In fact, if she did know anything about this issue with my grandfather’s will, she’d be the last person to speak up about it.

“I’m sorry, Elliot.”

“What are you sorry for?”

“For the fact that your parents have both disappointed you. Unfortunately, I know what that feels like too.”

Staring over at her, it dawns on me that she just put a name to exactly what I’ve been feeling for years when it comes to my mom and dad. “I keep asking myself what I’m going to do when Rhonan gets the information that I requested from him.”

“Have you landed on anything yet?”

“No.” I rest my hand on the armrest on the passenger door. “I guess part of me hopes he’ll find nothing, but I’m smarter than that.”

“You know, I offered to do some digging too not so long ago. My offer still stands,” she says. “I could get Tori alone somewhere and coerce some information out of her. I have plenty of tools I can use to persuade her as well, if you catch my drift.”

I twist to face her. “I appreciate the offer, but I think I need to wait until I have all of the pieces.”

She reaches for my hand and then pulls hers right back, clearing her throat uncomfortably. “Well, just remember I’m here to help.”

“Is that right?”

“Look, I know this whole fake engagement was my idea, but it was because the last thing I wanted was to see you be taken advantage of again. I hate seeing people hurt. Maybe it’s some subconscious flaw from my childhood,” she states with a shrug.

“ And having me there when you see Vinnie helps you avoid hurt too.”

She nods, but inside, I think I just solved part of the puzzle that is Dilynne Marie Clark.

“Do—do you ever wonder what your life would have been like if your parents weren’t drug addicts?”