Page 24 of From the Embers

My head tells me I’m never going to find out, but my heart, my heart is saying something very, very different. And that is dangerous in itself.

eight

Adelaide

The next day - late morning

My phone flashes with Delaney’s smiling face. It’s a close-up of her at Disneyland with Minnie Mouse ears and a grin a mile wide. I’m beat from the late nights this week. I tossed and turned a bit after Denver and I said goodnight. Thinking back to what I did in front of those girls still gives me an enormous sense of satisfaction—petty perhaps, but deserved. I’m used to the fat shaming comments from time to time. Let’s face it, people are dickwads everywhere, but it’s so nineteen-ninety. I know it’s because Hannah is Denver’s ex, and they were looking for any excuse to be mean, but it sure as shit made me feel better to do what I did in front of them.

I wasn’t shocked at the time of kissing him, I was too wrapped up in him to waste a moment thinking, What the heck are you doing, girl? But now I’m equally horrified, as I am shellshocked, that I did that. What’s more? He reciprocated. Denver’s kiss was sizzling. And I mean hot. There was more depth and soul in that fake kiss than I’ve ever felt with anyone, and I was with Cam for two years. He never kissed me like that nor held my face in his hands with such tenderness.

Maybe it’s the way Denver is so big and towers over me. His bulkiness is sexy as sin, and it feels protective and secure. I know he’d never do anything to hurt me. He’s not a douche like Cam, nor is he anything but sincere.

“Morning,” I manage to croak, pushing my eye mask all the way up on top of my head. I’ve been laying here a while wondering if the coffee is going to make itself. If I had a million bucks, I’d hire a butler just to make my morning coffee.

“You sound terrible,” Del says right off the bat.

I clear my throat and sit up a little, resting on my soft, cushy pillows. “Late night,” I say. “The bar was rocking last night, and I kinda lost my voice from shouting over the music.”

“You’re working a lot there, Adi. Are you sure you don’t just want to ease into Chicago life?”

I laugh lightly. She worries about me. “You probably have a point. But you know me, plus, I need the money.”

“Yes,” she says. “I definitely do. That’s why I’m checking in on you.”

It’s sweet of her to check on me. We have a weekly phone call and text every day. We met years ago when we were both at Harvard. I obtained a master in design studies, which later led to me specializing in interior design through work experience and building my portfolio.

Delaney completed an art degree; she’s a brilliant photographer and equally amazing at painting, sketching, and sculpting. Currently she makes a living from pet portraits and does some painting and drawing on the side.

“I’m fine. I had an interesting night last night, to say the least.”

“Do tell. Is it juicy? Please say it’s juicy!”

I take a breath, because I think I’m going to need one to explain the events of last night. I have also befriended one of the girls at work, Ellie, but I can’t exactly pour my heart out to a complete stranger. But last night? There’s a lot to unpack there.

That fake kiss sure felt pretty real to me. “Well, Denver was at the bar last night.” Of course she knows who he is. I’ve spoken of him over the years, and also about what happened when I was a kid with the fire. She also knows he’s been walking me home, thanks to Daryl’s efforts at keeping me safe, or whatever his delightful excuse is to have Denver watch over me—not that I’m complaining. My brother, for once, actually got it right. And I don’t mind Denver keeping me safe, or whatever it is he insists on doing. He can keep that up until his heart’s content.

“He was at the bar again?”

“Yes, it’s his go-to spot with a couple of his buddies.”

“And?” she presses, poised excitement in her tone.

“Well, there was some ex drama that was unexpected. To cut a long story short, he told her I was his girlfriend to get rid of her.”

Delaney squeals, and I have to hold the phone away from my ear. “O.M.G. Tell me everything, from the beginning.”

So that’s what I do. I spend the next fifteen minutes giving her a rundown of what transpired during the course of the evening, from seeing his ex walk up behind him in the queue and grab a hold, to her friend calling me fat. Then there’s the kiss, the glances, and everything else in between.

I sit back into the pillows and close my eyes.

“Holy smacking doolies, Adi.”

“But it was all a ruse,” I insist. “No matter how good it was.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“Denver isn’t into me like that. He only agreed to walk me home because Daryl insisted he look after me or else.”