by Cee, DW
“I am never ever allowing you two anywhere near one of my dates.” Delaney complained when we shooed her away from this Chris as soon as the show was over. “That was freakin’ embarrassing! Not even my parents have ever done this to me.”
“I found this evening to be quite fun.” I smirked at her.
“Me too.” Bee high-fived me, and annoyed the pouter.
“I don’t think I’ll be doing anymore pro bono modeling for you anymore.”
“Now you’re just being mean.” Bee tried to make her feel guilty. “Plus, I thought you said this wasn’t a date. We were all friends enjoying a play, and supporting the school.”
“Good one Aunt Bee.”
This time it was Delaney who rolled her eyes. “Whatever! Mr. Taylor, now you’ll have to drive me home. Chris was originally going to drive me home, but since you forced me into this car, you are my designated driver.”
“I’d be honored to drive you home, Miss Reid.”
After the goodbyes were said we got into the car and immediately a call came in.
“Hello?”
“Mr. Taylor? This is Cindy.”
“Hey Cindy. Something wrong? What are you doing calling me on a Friday night?”
“I apologize for calling so late, but I made a huge error in your schedule and I needed to let you know right away.”
“What happened?”
“The charity golf tournament you were supposed to play in, the one that I thought was for next week? It’s actually for tomorrow. I’m so very sorry Mr. Taylor. This is completely my error.”
“Tomorrow’s a Saturday. Do I have any work-related meetings scheduled?”
“You have nothing out of the ordinary scheduled for tomorrow. You can play if you like. I feel terrible, Mr. Taylor.”
“It happens Cindy. Don’t worry about it. If there are no conflicts I’ll play tomorrow instead of next week.”
“There is one problem, though.”
“And what’s that?”
“Your golf partner is in the New York office, and won’t be back till Sunday night.”
“That’s not a problem.” I looked at Delaney, who caught on right away and shook her head no.
“I have study groups tomorrow,” she whispered, but I ignored her.
“I’ll bring another partner. Send me all the info.”
“Thank you for being so understanding, Mr. Taylor. I promise not to make this kind of an error again.”
“No worries. See you Monday.”
“No.” Delaney was quick to speak.
“Come on. It’s a scramble format. We’d kick ass if we partnered up.”
“Do you think I’m lying to you?”
“Lie or not, let’s play. It’s an early shotgun start. We should be done by early afternoon. We’ll do something fun afterwards.”
“Like?”
“I don’t know...” I tried to sound exasperated. I didn’t think I was succeeding. “I’m making this up as we go.”
Delaney gave her dubious stare, but eventually caved. “Oh, all right. If I fail statistics, it’ll be all your fault.”
It was cute the way she took school so seriously. Second semester of our senior year, Jake and I rarely showed up to class. If it hadn’t been for the girls in our classes who offered us their notes, we would have failed.
It was still dark when I picked up Delaney for our six in the morning tee time. I carried her clubs to the car while she kept straightening her outfit.
“What the hell are you doing? Get in.”
“I don’t like this golf dress. I’m thinking I might change.”
“You’ll be the hottest looking golfer there. Keep what you’re wearing.”
“Really?” Her face broke into a crazy big smile. Vanity—thy name is woman.
“Really!” It was hard to be anything but happy around this girl. She made me laugh. She made me smile.
“Who’s going to be at this event?”
“Some co-workers, a lot of clients, some celebrities, and local media.”
“Is there a dinner involved, and do we have to stay?”
“Yes and no. I have something fun planned for us after the tournament.”
“You do?” She was too surprised for my liking.
“Why the hell does that shock you?”
“Because I didn’t expect you to pull through. I thought whatever you said yesterday were just words to get me to say yes to golf.”
“I’m wounded you think so little of me.” I feigned surprise and disappointment.
“After what you said to me back at Bee’s that first night, I didn’t think you wanted me around you. I’ve been purposely staying away from you during softball so I wouldn’t bug you.” Her voice faded with each word.
What she said killed me, and the tears I thought I saw her blink away broke me. “Delaney, that was like a month ago and I explained myself to you the other day. What I said wasn’t what I meant to say. It just came out wrong.” She stayed silent as if she couldn’t accept my words. “Delaney.” I pleaded.
“Don’t worry about it, Mr. Taylor. It’s cool.” Shit! Our flirty rapport vanished like the wind.
While I knew it wasn’t cool what I had said to her back at Bee’s, that was a long time ago. I thought we had made great progress since. I didn’t realize she was still hanging onto the hurt. I didn’t realize how much my words affected this girl. I’d do my best to make it up to her and to treat her well from here on out.
The golf tournament brought our closeness back! Without a doubt, I loved spending time with this girl. There were no happier times than when we were together.
“You are the best golf partner, ever!” I whispered in her ear as we were on our fifth hole, and many strokes under. She smiled her sweet smile and clapped for the other twosome, who were in our group. “I think there’s a lot of money to be won—though it all goes to charity.”
“Let’s go win some money for charity,” she announced, and stepped up to hit her next shot.
This wasn’t the first time we’d played golf together, but it was damn thrilling to compete with her. “When did you become such a competitor?”
“I’ve always been like this. The best feeling in the world is beating Doug! Next best feeling is beating you.” There was that sly grin.
“Really?” I answered in a threatening way, and pulled her into my body. “Twice, both times with a golf pro by your side, doesn’t exactly count as ‘beating me.’”
“Mr. Taylor.” She curled into me even further and whispered in my ear again. “The way I look at it, I’m batting a thousand where you are concerned.” Shit! My toes curled with her every word. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say this little girl was purposely getting my blood boiling and I was without a doubt, affected by her teasing. After giving her a brief kiss on the side of her head, I let Delaney go, lest anyone jump to the wrong conclusion about us.
“Donovan.” One of my co-workers called us over. “Who is this beauty, and what the hell are you doing kicking your senior partners’ asses? Should you be antagonizing us?” This asshole always had a way of letting me know he was a senior partner.
“Richard Ackerman, meet Delaney Reid. Delaney, this is Richard, and his partners Ted, Daniel, and Ivan.”
“Hello.” She shook hands with all the men.
“Well hello, Delaney Reid.” Richard was a little too interested for my taste.
“Laney, please.”
“If you’re not seeing our junior partner here, may I take you to dinner tonight after the tournament?” I wanted to punch this moron for coming onto Delaney, but her words stopped me dead.
With her arms around my waist and her head on my chest she announced, “I’m with junior partner, here...aren’t I, Handsome?” It took me a split second to realize she was talking to me now. Not wanting to blow our cover, I reciprocated, and caressed her back with one hand, but lifted her chin with the other han
d.
“You sure are, Beautiful.” I smiled at her before giving her a loving kiss. This was supposed to be an act, but it felt better and more convincing than any relationship I’d been in. This girl felt right molded into my body.
“How the hell do you get all the best ones—young or old?” Richard broke our embrace. “I take it you’re no longer with Kate? You don’t mind if I ask her out?”
I was about to tell Richard to go to hell, but we were called back to our hole to finish up the game.
“Sorry.” That was the first thing out of Delaney’s mouth. “I didn’t mean to make you pretend...I hope you don’t get into trouble with Kate...shit! It didn’t dawn on me that he’d know Kate…” She was scrambling for a resolution.
Perhaps I should have told her Kate and I had not been together in a very long time. But I didn’t want to explain that she was the straw that broke the camel’s back with Kate. And I wasn’t going to get into any unnecessary discussion with this girl here at a company function. “I’m sorry I get you in these predicaments. Let’s finish up the game and get out of here.”
We ended up tying for first place and left as soon as the tournament concluded. Delaney’s demeanor changed as soon as Kate came back into the picture, but I was confident once I explained that Kate and I were done, we would be all right.
“You don’t have a change of clothes, do you?”
“No. You didn’t mention anything so I expected to go home after the tournament.”
“I would have at least fed you dinner.” I answered, annoyed that she expected so little from me and of me.
She shrugged her shoulders in response. “What are we up to the rest of the day?”
“We’re meeting Jake and Emily for an early dinner and then you ladies are signed-up for a baking class.”
“How fun.” There wasn’t the expected enthusiasm in her speech.
“That’s it? How fun?” I asked, annoyed again.
Whenever we got in these discussions, Delaney looked like she had so much to say but always held back. Her eyes held many untold stories that were not clear enough for me to understand, but too frustrating for me to let go.
“There was no need to go through any trouble for me. If you are busy, we don’t have to do anything else. I’d be fine if you dropped me off at home.”
“Why do you always do that?” She understood I was pissed.
“Do what?” There was a fear in her voice I didn’t like.
“Why won’t you let me do anything for you? It’s too damn difficult to be nice to you. You fought me on the dresses, you won’t let me take you to dinner after a softball game, and now you’re refusing what I’ve planned for you. What the hell do I have to do to get you to simply say thank you without a ‘but?’”
“I don’t want your charity, Mr. Taylor.” She whispered, which infuriated me even more. Why the hell would the word ‘charity’ come into this conversation?
“Charity?” I yelled. I’d never had a woman refuse me in every kind deed I’d ever done for her. This girl pushed me away every chance she got. Dammit! Didn’t she understand I didn’t want to be pushed away?
We saw Jake and Emily as we pulled into the lot so we stopped talking for now.
“Hello! How was the golf tournament?” We all exchanged greetings as Jake asked for details of our morning.
Delaney stayed noticeably quiet.
“Did you have a good time Laney?” Emily was trying to get her into our conversation.
“Yeah. I had a great time.” That was all she was willing to say. “How are the babies? I haven’t seen them in a few days.” The thought of James and Ellie brought forth the usual happiness to her face. I was relieved to see her smile.
“Both kids are getting their first year molars so they’re unhappy! They’ve been gnawing on frozen teething rings for comfort.”
“Poor babies. I’ll drop by tomorrow and play with them if they will let me. I’ll give you a few hours of freedom so you can run errands.”
“Thank you Laney, but you don’t have to do that. Tomorrow’s a Sunday. I’m sure you have plenty to do.”
“I have nothing but schoolwork going on. I’m happy to help you. You know I love playing with my godchildren.”
After dinner, the ladies went into the kitchen and baked with the pastry chef to create a dessert of their choice. Normally this wasn’t done, but Jake’s Uncle Dave convinced the pastry chef to take on two sous chefs. Jake and I stayed at our table and enjoyed our coffee.
“What’d you do to my cousin again? Why was she so quiet during dinner?”
“I didn’t do a damn thing. She did it all to herself.” I answered drinking my espresso.
“Explain.” Once again, Jake was exasperated with me. “I don’t like seeing her upset, and you’ve been upsetting the Reid women one too many times.” That was his roundabout warning to stop messing with his sister.
“Delaney won’t ever let me do anything nice for her. In fact, she continues to have an attitude when I buy her something or try and take her somewhere.”
“Will you just admit that you are in love with her and date her already? Maybe if you show her your true intentions, then she’ll gladly accept all that you want to do for her.”
“The more I think about it, I don’t know if I want to go there with her. She’s not right for me. We are best off as friends.”
“Shit. Are we back to that, again? I wish you’d open your eyes to reality and accept it. You’re courting danger flirting with my sister, and hurting a good woman for ignoring your true feelings. If Max wasn’t such a trusting, easy-going guy, he would’ve kicked your ass a long time ago. He gives my sister too much freedom.”
“Hello.” A woman interrupted our conversation. “I’m Hailey. My girlfriend and I,” she pointed to her friend at the far off table, “were wondering if you gentlemen would like to join us for a drink.” This woman, who was in a dress that covered very little of her well-endowed body, wasn’t asking so much as she was assuming we’d agree.
“No thank you. I’m very happily married.” Jake lifted his ring finger.
“And you, Handsome?” She had no qualms about what she wanted. “Are you taken?”
My instinct told me to copy Jake’s answer, but I was always too stubborn and too stupid to follow my gut. I was sick of Jake doling out advice and treating me like a ten-year-old. I should have the final word on which girl suited me. If I said Delaney wasn’t the perfect girl for me, then that was the last of it!
“I am as free as a bird.” I answered with a killer smile to show Jake that I could make my own decisions. Jake shook his head and called me stupid without making a sound.
“Drinks?” This woman would have sat on my lap had I given her any more encouragement.
“I’m here with my friends, but possibly later?”
She borrowed a pen from a passing server and scribbled her number on my cocktail napkin. “Call me.”
“Will do.” With another purposeful smile, I watched this woman turn around and spotted Delaney standing right beyond her, with a hollowed expression. This killer smile of mine almost killed me when I saw the hurt in her eyes. She quickly schooled her visage, but I felt the pain in her heart. I was such an asshole!
“Here’s your dessert.” There was a slight quiver in her voice and I saw her hold the pot de crème with an extra hand to stop it from shaking. A pissed off Jake and Emily both gave me the evil eye.
After an awkward conversation over dessert where Delaney spoke too much, we decided to part ways. On our way out, Hailey followed us and reminded me to “call her.”
My behavior was too embarrassing for words. I was a shithead for taking a number I wasn’t interested in, and an absolute dick for making Delaney feel unwanted. Even if this wasn’t an official date, ignoring the girl I brought to dinner and accepting the number of another woman was just plain wrong. I couldn’t face Delaney.
As we walked
to my car, I tried to save myself any more embarrassment and said, “Why don’t you go home with Jake and Emily?” I only wanted to keep from having to explain myself and from having an awkward conversation. I thought she’d be happy not to talk to me after I was an asshole to her the entire night. Never did I think I’d see even more disappointment and hurt in her eyes.
“Sure...of course...” She picked up her heavy golf clubs from my trunk before I could help her. I would’ve carried them to Jake’s car, but she left me with, “I’ll get out of your way,” and her voice faded again.
“Delaney...” was all I could say as she practically flew to her cousin’s car.
Shit. What a night.
“Did you really have drinks with that woman?” Jake asked when he called Sunday afternoon.
“No. I didn’t. You knew I wouldn’t. I went home and slept, alone.”
“Then why’d you act like an asshole and take the woman’s number?”
“I don’t know.” That was the moronic move of the night! “How was your cousin last night when you drove her home?”
“If you’re so curious, come over and find out. She’s in the pool with both kids.”
“Shit. No thanks.”
“Coward.”
I laughed. “No doubt. I have to get some work done. I’m going into the office. I have tons of work sitting on my desk waiting for me.”
“You want me to tell my cousin you said hello?”
I laughed again. “No. Stop talking to me and go help your cousin. What kind of man leaves his kids in the pool with one adult to supervise?”
“The kind who has lots of siblings and cousins who are more than happy to play with my children. Most of the Reid cousins are here. We’ll get the grill going soon if you want to stop by after work.”
“Thanks. I’ll consider it.”
There was no way in hell I was going to face Delaney today.
I was too much of a chicken to call or show up at the softball games after the stunt I pulled at dinner. Whatever I thought I had with Delaney was done! Positively, absolutely DONE!