Page 25 of From the Embers

Delaney erupts in a fit of giggles. “Or else?”

“Daryl can be quite insistent when he wants to be, plus, he trusts D.”

“Let’s not get off track here. I need to know everything there is to know about Denver Banks and those succulent lips you keep telling me about.”

“We’re not a thing, Del. It was just to ward off his ex, remember?”

“Again, I ask, are you sure about that? I mean, have you actually thought about asking him out?”

I snort. “Uh, no! Are you insane?”

I mean, sure, sparks flew last night, but it wasn’t real. It was for… what reason exactly? Okay, Denver did use me as an excuse to get rid of her—something I will never be sorry for—but what was my excuse?

He kissed me back.

Yep, definitely reading too much into it.

“Now listen here, little missy,” she says, sass in her tone. “Why would I be insane to suggest it? You’re hot, babe, and a catch. Plus, you’re super funny, kind, generous, and really fucking smart. If Denver is half the man you say he is, then I’m sure he’s not blind, or stupid.”

Maybe I’m not just imagining it. Denver did have heat in his eyes when I pulled away from our kiss. I pulled away. He still had his hands cupped around my face.

I felt like a queen. His queen.

If I compared myself to what I think Denver’s type would be—Hannah—I’m not even on the spectrum. Then again, he admitted it didn’t last for obvious reasons, and one can only assume he meant her charming personality. You can have all the looks in the world, but if you’re a spiteful, nasty person, that will never look sexy. Hannah may get all the guys she wants, but eventually they’ll see what she’s really about.

“Here we go,” I mutter.

“Yes, here we go indeed! Repeat after me: I am a hot-to-trot temptress… no, can that—a stallionness—and I can get any guy I want just by clicking my fingers.”

“I’m not going to say that,” I laugh. “Stallionness? Did you just make that up?”

“I can’t remember what you call a female horse, smarty pants.”

“And yet you went to Harvard,” I quip. “Mare or filly ring a bell?”

“Nah, I think stallionness sums it up quite nicely. It packs more punch. Why do dudes get to be the stallions anyway? You need to get out of this funk, Adi. Get under Denver and you’ll feel a whole lot better about things. Trust me, I’m good with vibes.”

I laugh out loud. “Oh wow, you did not just say that.”

“Yep I did, and here’s another piece of advice: Get under him, over him, sideways, backwards, whatever. You two are perfect for each other, and you deserve a nice guy.”

I guess I must’ve sold Denver pretty well then.

“Uh, huh, you’re forgetting about one thing though, sugar. My brother.”

She sighs loudly. “There’s always one drip in the room. Daryl’s a big boy, he’ll get over it. Plus, need I remind you that you’re both CONSENTING ADULTS! Jesus, anyone would think the pair of you need your heads knocking together.”

“No need to shout,” I say, ringing my ear out with my finger. “But I get your point. I just don’t think he feels the same way, and if he doesn’t that would be super awkward.”

“You said he cupped your face when he kissed you, right?”

Uh, yes, I did tell her that because she asked for every minute detail.

“So?”

“So? Everyone knows that when a man cups your face when he kisses, it means something more. More than just he wants to bang you. Take it from me, I’ve done the research. I know these things.”

“Don’t mince around with words, Obi-Wan.”