“Maybe even a triple if you help me load all of this stuff back into the truck.”
When I dropped Abby off at home, I grabbed the to-go pint I’d picked up at the Dairy Dell for Delilah. The lights were on in the trailer. Even though every inch of my skin craved a shower, I couldn’t wait to see her.
She answered after a few short knocks. But instead of the smile I was hoping for, her eyes were red, and she held a wad of tissues in her hand.
“Are you okay?” I immediately held out my arms, pulling her in close.
She clung to me, her nose running, her eyes watering, her heart pounding against my chest so hard I could feel it.
“My mom left. And Helmut’s my dad. It’s been a rough day.” She mumbled the words into my chest.
“I’m sorry, Helmut’s your what?” I pulled back just far enough to make sure I’d heard her clearly. “Did you just say Helmut’s your dad?”
“Yes. He and my mom dated in high school. I think your aunt Suzy knew. My whole life has been a lie.”
“Can I come in?” I held up the brown bag. “I brought ice cream.”
Fifteen minutes later she’d relayed the events of the morning, including the news that Adeline denied being involved in the cricket infestation.
“I believe her.” Delilah slipped another spoonful of turtle cheesecake ice cream into her mouth. “She did some weird hand thing and swore on the lives of her sorority sisters that she was telling the truth.”
I’d never vouch for Adeline since I’d been on the receiving end of so many of her lies but swearing on the lives of her sorority sisters did seem like a big deal. At least in her convoluted world.
“Have you heard from your mom?”
“No. I’m sure she had her reasons, but I don’t care what they were. Lying to someone you love, that’s inexcusable, no matter what. Don’t you think so?”
I wanted to say yes. But how could I when that’s exactly what I’d been doing to my own family for the past three years?
“Jasper?” She’d dipped the spoon into the quickly disappearing pint and held it out to me. “You agree, don’t you?”
“Of course.” Inwardly, I cursed myself for not taking the opportunity to tell her the truth about my own situation right then and there.
“I knew I was right to believe in you.” She finished the last bite of the ice cream then left my lap to toss it in the trash. “When this contest wraps up, I’m done. I’ve been thinking about what you said.”
“Hmm?”
“About me being so much happier when I’m working with the girls I want to support. I’m going to talk to Monique about finding a different spokeswoman for the cosmetics line.”
“Are you sure?” I spread my legs as she stepped between them.
“I’m surer than sure.” She wrapped her arms around my shoulders, and I nestled my cheek against her chest. “Coming here was the best decision I’ve ever made. What would you think about me becoming a permanent resident?”
My heart squeezed tight. “You want to stay in Ido?”
She lowered herself to perch on my thigh. “I want to stay with you.”
CHAPTER 24
DELILAH
With the contestcoming to a close, I didn’t want anyone seeing Jasper and me together and thinking I was playing favorites. As much as I wanted to go all in with him, I forced myself to keep my distance over the next few days.
I hadn’t heard from Stella except for a text saying she’d made it home and hoped we could sort through everything when I returned to Dallas.
With unexpected time on my hands, I accepted Helmut’s invitation to spend the morning together. We didn’t appear to have much in common, but I wanted to know more about my past—and about him.
We met at the Burger Bonanza. Helmut’s truck sat high on jacked-up tires, and I had to use both hands to pull myself into the cab.
