“He say what he wanted talk about?” she asked.
I grabbed my black skirt and pulled it on. “He asked what the hell was going on with us. I’m assuming that is what we’re going to talk about.” I smoothed my shirt down. “Done.”
Mama turned back around, and I grabbed a hair tie.
“And are you actually going to talk?” she asked.
That was the million dollar question. I had gotten a better hold on what I was feeling and what I wanted to happen between Jay and me, but what I wanted might not be the same as what Jay wanted. “Yes. I need to.”
“That’s my girl.”
I twisted my hair on top of my head and dropped my arms to my side. “And now, I gotta go.”
“You guys coming here to talk?”
I shook my head and grabbed my flats out of the bag. “No. I figured we would talk somewhere neutral. He’s meeting me at the restaurant after my shift.”
“Well, go get ‘em, honey, and make sure you tell him exactly what you’re feeling.” Mama gave me a quick huge and a peck on the cheek. “I want a full report if you make it home tonight.”
“Mama,” I gasped.
She rolled her eyes and shooed me down the stairs. “The delusion that you’re a virgin is gone, Delaney,” she reminded me.
“Yeah, yeah. But I’ll call you if I’m not coming home.” I jogged down the stairs and turned to look back up at her.
“Be true to your heart, Delaney, even if you might get hurt.”
That was exactly what I was terrified of, but I couldn’t lie to myself anymore.
Jay was going to hear exactly what I was feeling, and I prayed to God he didn’t go running for the hills.
*
Chapter Thirty
Jay
I looked down at my ripped jeans and black t-shirt.
Delaney could have told me she worked at a dressier restaurant.
The few people I had seen walk out were wearing dress shirts and dresses. I was going to stick out like a sore thumb in this place.
I had planned to get here a little early to watch Delaney while she worked but now I was wondering if I had enough time to run to the store to get some better clothes.
My phone buzzed, and I saw Delaney had texted me. I’m done early. Just tell the hostess you’re with me.
Got it. Be there in a second. Well, there went my idea of going to change.
I pushed open my door and stepped out. I had parked next to Delaney’s SUV, and I smiled knowing she was still driving it. Even if this night didn’t end well, the car was going to be hers no matter what.
I walked into the restaurant and noted the classy ambiance and ritzy interior. I was going to be surprised if they actually let me sit down.
“Uh, I’m meeting Delaney.”
The hostess looked me up and down. “Are you sure?”
What in the hell type of question was that? “Uh, yeah. She just texted me that she had a table for us.” I was ready to pull my phone out and shove it in this chick’s face if she didn't’ take me to Delaney.
“Delaney did say she was staying to meet someone,” she muttered.
“If you just want to tell me in what direction she is, I’ll find her myself.”
She huffed and hitched her thumb over her shoulder. “She grabbed one of the tables to the side of the bar.”
I took off into the restaurant without another word to the chick. I spotted Delaney in the corner of the restaurant sitting around a round table. She had her hands clutched in front of her, and she was staring at the tablecloth.
“Don’t look so scared, Del,” I said as I pulled out the chair next to her and sat down.
“Is it weird I thought you weren't going to show?” she laughed nervously.
“I texted you two minutes ago, Del. I was going to be here.”
A waiter walked up to our table and filled our water glasses. “Anything else I can get for you guys?” he asked.
“Calamari and stuffed mushrooms, Kel,” Delaney said without opening the menu.
The guy nodded at Del then moved to the table next to us.
“I hope that was okay. I know all of the good stuff on the menu.”
I ran my fingers through my hair. “Never had calamari before but I’m good with mushrooms.” I’d have eaten dirt if she would have ordered it.
She fidgeted with her hands and looked around. “Did Lane give you trouble up front?” she asked.
“That the chick with the eat shit look on her face?”
Delaney laughed and nodded. “That would be Lane. I’m sure she had a problem with what you were wearing. It’s a semi-dressy place but she thinks she’s the dress code police when she’s hostessing.”
“She was sure charming,” I mumbled.
I watched her take a sip of her water and look around at anything but me. “She came in early so I was able to snag a table before things picked up.”
“You normally do her job?” I asked,
Del finally looked at me. “Yeah. I’ve worked her for three years. Helps keep gas in my tank.”
“You’re pretty damn busy.”
She shrugged and grabbed her napkin and laid it in her lap. “Are we really gonna go through all of this small talk?”
I chuckled and shook my head. “I sure the hell hope not, Del. I was kind of confused why straight to the point Delaney was making small talk.”
She hung her head and sighed. “Because I’m absolutely terrified this is going to be the last time I see you.”
The waiter approached the table and set a basket of bread and butter in front of us. “Your appetizers should be out in a few minutes.”
Delaney smiled at him, but I just glared at the dude. I was trying to make headway here, and if he kept coming over to interrupt us, nothing was going to happen.
I waited ‘til the guy had moved onto another table then dove right back in. “Why do you think I’m going to leave, Del?”
“Uh…” She grabbed a roll and ripped it open. “Well, I mean…” She slathered roll with butter and took a huge bite. She pointed to her full mouth as if to say she couldn’t talk.
I grabbed the bread basket and set it away from her. “I can wait ‘til you’re done chewing.”
Her jaw stopped moving, and her eyes bugged out.
“That’s right, Del. I can wait ‘til you’re done. I don’t have anywhere else I’d rather be right now.”
She chewed a few more times than swallowed. “I’m not sure why I’m the one who has to be answering all of the questions.”
“Ask me anything you want, Del. I’ll tell you anything you want.”
She looked down at her roll.
“Nope, not gonna happen.” I snatched the half eaten bun from her hand and set it back in the basket.
“Hey, you can’t take away a girl’s carbs,” she protested.
“Just did.” I pointed at the bread. “We talk and then you can have that back.”
“I’m not sure I like you much right now.”
It probably wasn’t the wisest idea to take her food away but she wasn’t going to talk if she had something that she could hide behind. “Tell me why you think I’m going to leave,” I insisted.