Page 157 of It's About Time
“God, you’re such a joy to talk to. Makes me wonder how the hell you scored Elodie.”
“He’s a big softie, Dilynne!” Elodie shouts from the kitchen as Henley and I head toward the garage. “Don’t let him fool you.”
Once my brother and I take our seats in the rocking chairs Nick has out here, he lets out a heavy sigh. “Elliot already talked to me, you know.”
“I do know, but there’s something that I need to say to you too.”
His brows draw together. “Like what?”
Clearing my throat, I adjust myself in the rocking chair. “I told myself after being with Vinnie that I would never settle again, that if I let myself fall for someone a second time, I’d be smarter, more intentional, but the thing is…I never thought I’d fall for Elliot Thorne.”
He huffs out a laugh. “Yeah, you and me both.”
“But I love him, Henley.” My voice doesn’t waver. “And he loves me in a way that I’ve always wanted from a partner.”
He pushes a hand through his hair. “I’ve known Elliot for nearly twenty years now, right?”
“Yes…”
“And if there’s one thing I’ve always known about him, it’s that he loves hard, just like you. My reservations about the two of you were never abouthim, they were aboutyou,Dilynne.”
“Wow. Okay. Uh, not sure how to take that.”
He shakes his head. “The only reason I was worried to begin with is because I didn’t want to see you get hurt again.” He reaches up and rubs the center of his chest. “I can’t handle watching you go through something like that for a second time, and watching Elliot go through it has been tough too, but you’re my sister, you know?”
“And I love you for that, but I have to live my life, and you can’t protect me from everything, Henley…”
“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.”
Smiling 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.’”
