“Oh, you know . . . I had to run to make this blitz sale at the grocery store. It ends in an hour,” she says flippantly, still panting. “Why? Did you need me for something? Did you want in on this sale? Old habits. I can’t turn down a sale to save my life. They have sausages for a quid! They’re probably almost bad, but I can freeze them, and they’ll hold up well.”
Delaney’s little tangent comes to a sudden end when she blusters a massive, loud, straining sigh. I giggle at her dramatism, and she lets out a soft ‘whoo’. “I’m outta shape. Bloody Hell. I haven’t gotten used to being chauffeured everywhere, but it seems my body has.”
“I was wondering if you’d like to have lunch with me. My treat,” I offer hopefully, and Delaney squawks in excitement. I suggest a restaurant and a time, and she gladly accepts. We hang up, and I wish I hadn’t because her sunny voice no longer chases away the dark clouds hanging over me. Standing up, I lock my computer, walk out of my office and into a small conference room. I need a change of scenery.
I stare out at the Belfast skyline, crossing my arm under my bust to sigh. I reach to rub my cheek with the back of my hand thoughtfully. There’s as many thoughts running through my head as buildings line the streets.
Christ . . . the next hour and a half is going to be long and torturous.
“Ma’am?” I jump, goosebumps blanketing my arms as I turn to find a confused employee standing in the doorway. “Can I help you with something?”
“Oh, no. I just needed a change of scenery. Were you using this room?” I ask, and the man holds up a laptop and folder of papers with a nod. “Sorry. You’re fine.”
Yeah, this is going to be a long day. I leave the small room without any fuss, even as it feels like there are invisible weights on my feet. I glance around the office and hold back a sigh. Increasingly, the feeling that Knitted Hearts is a glorified cage in which I’ll slowly rot away gnaws at my gut. How the fuck am I supposed to deal with all this? I honestly have no idea. Keenan’s been an absolute angel in helping me stay confident that I can endure this trying time, but moments like this eat me from the inside out.
After spending far too much energy not looking at the clock, I sigh with relief when my will finally breaks. Taking my light jacket off the hook by the door to my office, my hands are warm with anticipation. A single thread of excitement weaves through my veins as I head for the elevator.
I hope Delaney’s interested in the position I’m offering her. My phone burns in my hand, and I smack the device lightly against my palm on my way out of the building. The weather is dank, cold, and I hug my jacket around my shoulders. Looking at the sky, I purse my lips thinly in dismay. Thick, dark clouds hang low, close to the tops of buildings. Hell, the way it looks outside is just how I feel on the inside.
I fasten some of the buttons on my jacket. An hour ago, there were no clouds at all, but it’s not shocking. Weather has a way of coming out of nowhere. There wasn’t even a breeze swaying the trees. It feels ominous. Heading down the street, I quicken my pace and pull my thin hood up as the wind picks up.
Entering the restaurant I agreed to meet Delaney at for lunch, surprise raises my brows. Delaney’s already here, sitting in the waiting area with her hands in her lap. She doesn’t see me, and I examine her nervous expression closely. Does she suspect what I’m going to ask of her? Does she know anything about my father’s nefarious activities?
As much as I don’t want to ask her, I know my only way to get the answers I seek is to ask, and I plaster a bright smile on my face. Delaney pops up like a daisy in the snow, so bright and happy, and we hug briefly. “You look as cheerful as ever.” Out of the Gallagher siblings, Keeva is the bright and cheerful one, but I’m realizing Delaney can be as well, as long as you know her a little bit.
“Why, thank you! I try.” She grins broadly. “So, why this place? I’ve passed it a few times but never come in.”
“They have a great lunch menu,” I answer before we head to the hostess. The restaurant’s busy, and I’m glad there’s no wait. Anxiety shoots up my spine as my gaze slips to Delaney. She looks around nervously, and it makes me feel a bit better. That might sound odd, but it’s nice to know I’m not the only nervous one here.
We sit at a small, two-person table, and I take off my jacket to hang it off the back of my chair. Expectancy radiates at me from across the table, and I clear my throat. “So, how’ve you been since the event? I know we haven’t seen much of each other. Work never stops.”
“I’m good. Same as always. My life is the same, boring old thing like normal.” The atmosphere quickly develops an awkward, sour tinge. Delaney watches me intensely, squinting slightly, and leans forward. I resist the urge to back away from her questioning eyes. “You look stressed. Is everything okay?”
“Oh, yes, I just don’t know how to put this.” I hesitate for a moment, my mouth dries as doubt creeps into my mind. Is this the right thing to do? Shit, I really made a mess of this, didn’t I? Or have I been the one to make this mess? I know I’m being hard on myself, but damn. “Um, I was wondering if you’d like an intern position at Knitted Hearts. You were so helpful with the charity event, and we always need good people.”
“Yes,” Delaney answers quicker than lightning, and my lips part in surprise. Enthusiasm brightens her expression even more, and she nods hastily. “I’d love to. Yes. I had so much fun, even though it was hard work. I felt so accomplished! I’ve honestly been wanting to ask you if you had anything else you might need my help with.”
“I wasn’t expecting you to answer so quickly,” I answer truthfully with a laugh, and Delaney giggles and covers her mouth to keep from being disruptive. “Are you sure you don’t want to take some time to think about it?”
“No, I’m fine. I don’t need to think about it. I’m relieved you asked so I wouldn’t have to. I absolutely love what I did for the charity event, so whatever you need, I will help you with,” she admits sheepishly, and I smile warmly. “What do I have to do?”
“Just fill out an application, and I’ll talk to the hiring manager. It’s just an internship, though, but you’ll be paid like all our other interns,” I reveal, and Delaney nods as thoughtfulness furrows her slender brows. “Just the same things you did at the last event. Did you talk to Keenan or Keeva about wanting to join Knitted Hearts?”
My attempt to get information on the sly pays off while Delaney shakes her head and sighs, a small smile twisting her mouth. “I was nervous to ask them, so I just didn’t. I didn’t want them to try to push you to hire me if you weren’t interested. I know you said I did a good job, but part of me wonders if that was true. Not that you’d lie! I was just waiting for you to approach me . . . and part of me wasn’t sure if you said it because you’re dating my brother.”
“Oh, it looks like we have the same problem. I was waiting for you to approach me too. And Delaney, I’ll tell you this here and now, I’ll never boost your ego because I’m with Keenan. If you’ve done a good job, I’m going to make sure you know it. My compliments aren’t given out for no reason, they’re earned.” I grin in satisfaction. Thank God Keenan and Keeva kept their mouths shut. I need help, someone I can trust, and who better than Delaney? She was a great help during the event, good at keeping secrets, good at putting her nose where it doesn’t belong, and good at making her nosiness innocent. My heart twists at the notion that this offer isn’t exactly genuine, but I need as much help as I can get. “Ah, so about the past couple weeks.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT
KEENAN
Ahorrendous bullhorn sounds, jolting me off the sofa in the living room, and I jump up to rush outside. My heart leaps into my throat, my mind instantly drawing up the worst images. Adrenaline surges through my veins, and I rip open the front door of my home only to pause. Sucking in a sharp breath of shock, I stumble back as a big bus flies down the lane for the estate.
It’s black, curtains block the windows, and my suspicions roar in my ears. I start down the steps cautiously as the bus releases a hiss that rattles my teeth as the brakes are pressed. A giant logo stains the side of the bus, and I frown when the door slides open.
Delilah comes hopping off the bus, spreading her arms wide and grinning broadly. The vision of her blows me away, so bright and cheerful. She glows with happiness and natural beauty. I clutch my chest as the sight of her steals the air from my lungs. God, I could shag her at any moment of the day. Excitement brightens her eyes, and she struts proudly toward me before throwing herself the rest of the way. Her body thrums with her happiness, and I wrap an arm around her protectively as her giggles lighten the atmosphere.
“What’s going on?” I stammer heavily, my mouth dry from the heat radiating off her. I tear my eyes off Delilah to look at the bus. “What’s that for?”
