Page 97 of It's About Time
“Not to change the subject completely, but do you feel like your dad and Tori are buying the whole thing?” Rhonan asks, his voice low so people can’t overhear.
My mind veers back to the past few weeks. “Well, based on his reaction at dinner Friday night, he doesn’t understand why we aren’t getting married tomorrow.” I rub the back of my neck. “And what is bothering me more than that is the conversation that I heard between him and Tori earlier last week.”
Henley’s brows draw together. “What conversation?”
I spend the next few minutes filling in my friends on how Dilynne and I believe there’s something going on between my dad and Tori that doesn’t add up, the weird overdue bill I saw in his office, and his pressure for Dilynne and I to get married soon.
“Add on the fact that I saw my grandfather’s will in my dad’s office that night we had dinner at their house, but it wasn’t the same one from the probate reading, and I’m…”
Fletcher cuts me off. “Why would there be two different wills?”
Rubbing the back of my neck, I attempt to release the tension building there. “I honestly don’t fucking know, and until I know more, I don’t want to confront him about it.”
“Would another lawyer be able to help you?” Fletcher asks.
“I mean, maybe? My dad has a friend that I did my internship with that might be willing to let me pick his brain.”
“What if you tried to get some information out of Tori?” Rhonan suggests. “Strategically, of course.”
“Obviously, I can’t believe anything that comes out of her mouth either,” I retort. “So, not sure it would matter if I did ask her in a nonchalant way. And since I’m pretty sure my dad and her are conspiring together on whatever the fuck is happening, if I ask her about it, it might alert her that I’m onto them.” As if mentioning her conjures her presence, Tori appears in the courtyard again, watching me and the guys from a distance. “But it looks like we might need to table this conversation until another time.”
“Blackjack next week then?” Henley asks.
“Maybe later in the week. Dilynne and I have to go to Georgia this weekend to pick up one last part for the Porsche, and I need to get ahead on work for when we go out to California.”
Rhonan’s eyebrows both lift. “You’re going on a road trip with her?”
“Dilynne has gone on plenty of trips by herself to pick up parts,” Henley argues. “Why do you need to go with her on this one?”
I cross my arms over my chest, widening my stance as I face him head on. “Why does it matter?”
“I mean…it doesn’t, but…”
“For your information, part of the reason I’m accompanying her is so we can strategize for Motorlux. Being stuck in the car will give us plenty of time to do so, time that she doesn’t want to give up as she races to finish the car.”
“I think that’s a great idea,” Fletcher says, bouncing his eyebrows. Luckily, Henley doesn’t catch it because he’s too busy glaring in my direction.
I roll my eyes. “I wasn’t looking for your approval.”
“Are you two driving out to Motorlux together too?” Rhonan asks.
Henley shakes his head, answering for me. “No. There’s a delivery service for the car. All cars have to be finished a week before the show and then they’re sealed in trailers until the big event.” Remy starts to grow fussy in his arms. “I’m gonna grab some popcorn for Elodie and meet you guys inside, all right?”
We nod and then watch him walk away. As soon as he’s out of earshot, Fletcher leans in closer to me, Rhonan following his lead. “Okay, Henley is gone. Now you can tell us everything.”
“You sound like a teenage girl looking for gossip,” I say.
Rhonan shrugs. “I’m with Fletcher. I feel like there’s way more going on than you wanted to say in front of Henley, and since Fletcher and I know how you’rereallyfeeling about Dilynne…” He checks around us to make sure no one is listening, and luckily, Tori is farther away from us now. “We’re fucking invested, man. We just want to support you.”
I blow out a breath and push my hand through my hair again. “What do you want me to say? That we’ve had a few moments that felt…natural? Real? That she’s tempting me in ways I didn’t expect? That having her at my parents’ house for dinner made me protective over her in a way I’ve never felt with anyone else? Even Tori?”
Fletcher rubs his palms together. “Hell yeah. That’s exactly what we want to hear.”
“So this road trip…?” Rhonan prods.
“I honestly don’t know what to expect, but all I know is that Iwantedto go with her.” And it’s true. The thought of her going by herself made my chest tight, the same tightness that only she can calm.
Fletcher rubs his chin. “And what’s the vibe you’re getting from Dilynne?”
