“There’s a mouse, there’s a mouse, there’s a mouse, there’s a mouse . . .” she repeats over and over until we’re outside. Delilah shakes and shudders, sticking her tongue out as I take the keys and lock the door. “How can there be a mouse in there? It’s a brand new condo!”
“There’s an empty field across the street. It’s new construction. It happens,” I say.
“I don’t know how you can be so calm.” Her entire body convulses again, and she sticks out her tongue like she’s about to gag.
“Come on, let’s get back on the road before it gets too late,” I say.
Stupid mouse.
Chapter 34
Delilah
Two days.
Forty-eight hours from now, I’ll be on a plane, flying home to Rixton Falls, and all I can think about is how much fun I’ve been having here and how much I want to stay.
“I can’t believe you’re back.” I watch my sister get ready for the party tonight. Weston flew her down here to be his date. Tomorrow she’s going to help Rue with a few things, and Monday she’ll fly back home with me. “I mean, I can believe it because . . . Weston.”
Daphne rolls her eyes with a giant smile on her face. “We’ve been texting and talking ever since I left. He’s so nice, Del.”
“I know he is.”
“It’s like, we waste so much time and energy going after assholes and douche bags and the nice guys never get the credit they deserve.” Daphne retrieves her mascara and bevels the wand against her curly lashes. “Screw French men. Fuck hipsters. I’m all about the nice guys.”
“Glad to hear you’re officially retiring from jerks.”
“How are things with you and Zane? Any good stories for me?” She flashes me a wink-wink.
I perch on the closed-lid toilet and rest my elbows on my knees. “I did exactly what you said, Daph. I embraced the complicated.”
“And?”
“And everything . . . oddly worked out.” I shrug.
She spins to face me, lifting her left brow. “Really? I mean, that’s good.”
“The complicated is still there,” I say. “Believe me. We just don’t talk about it.”
“Okay, so you’re leaving in two days. Have you two talked about that?”
“Nope.”
My sister makes a pinched face. “So you’re just going to hang out one last time and then hop on a plane and never see him again?”
“We’re not boyfriend and girlfriend. There’s no need for some big, productive, emotional farewell.”
“Yeah, but you should at least discuss how you’re going to handle future contact. Is the door always open? Will there be visits? Will you keep in touch? That sort of thing.”
I shake my head. “I’m embracing complicated right up to the very end, and I’m seeing it through. Besides, Zane doesn’t like to talk about the past or the future. I learned that very quickly.”
“Nice. Got to respect a man who can live in the present. It’s not easy.”
Daphne exits the bathroom and tiptoes back to her room where a slinky peach and gold evening gown is lying across the foot of her bed. She steps into it, zipping up the back, and checks her reflection in a nearby Cheval mirror. The gold flecks in the dress play off her glowing tan and pops next to her platinum hair.
“You look like a Barbie princess,” I say.
“In a good way?”
“Of course.”
Daphne runs her palms down her sides. “I just hope it’s not too much. I don’t want to embarrass Weston.”
My jaw hangs. “Embarrass him? Sweetie, he’s going to be showing you off every chance he gets. All eyes will be on you tonight, believe that. And he’s going to be strutting around like the proudest peacock in the bunch.”
Daphne giggles. “I can’t picture Weston strutting . . . but okay.”
The doorbell chimes by the time my sister puts the finishing touches on her low chignon, and my heart leaps with empathetic excitement. Up until now, I didn’t care that I couldn’t go with Zane to the party, but now I’m feeling a little bummed.
“You’re going to have a blast tonight,” I say, escorting her to the front door where Weston stands in an all-black tuxedo.
His eyes light when he sees her.
“Hi.” She takes hesitant steps toward him.
Weston’s gaze is fixed on her. I don’t think he even realizes Rue and I are standing off to the side. He’s completely enchanted, mesmerized by her.
Rue rests her palm over her heart, reaching for me with her other hand. She gives me a good squeeze, and I nod. We’re witnessing something special.
This is more than a summer fling.
“Okay, we’re leaving now.” Daphne gives us a wave, slipping her hand into Weston’s. “Don’t wait up.”
I turn to Aunt Rue, who’s also dressed to the nines. “Where are you going tonight?”
“Last minute hot date.” She winks.
“But you’re moving tomorrow?” I fold my arms, smirking, amused at her audacity.
“So? He’s well aware.” Rue shrugs. “And if he wants me, he’ll know where to find me.”
Chapter 35
Zane
“Kindly loosen your grip,” I say into Carissa’s ear, keeping my voice low and a smile on my face. “I wasn’t aware that coming here tonight with you meant you’d be physically attached to me at all times.”