How Sweet It Is

by Bonnie Blythe

  After the service, Mrs. Larsen herded her over to where an all-blond family stood visiting with others.

  “Rob and Anita, this is Delphine, who I told you about.” Elaine turned to Delphine. “Anita is my oldest daughter. And these are my three grandbabies.” Three tow-headed children from the approximate ages of two to six, tumbled and chased each other in the pews, obviously comfortable in their environment.

  Delphine shook hands with the couple. What is it about this place? Was it the family or the church? How could she bottle it up and take it with her?

  “How did you like the service?” Anita asked.

  “It was wonderful,” Delphine replied.

  Brad put his arm around her and gave her a squeeze. “Uh oh, don’t let mom hear that. We’ll never get out of her clutches if you don’t side with me.”

  Delphine smiled, but didn’t say anything. She allowed herself to be pulled along with this family, on out to the car, and to a restaurant where everyone met for lunch.

  With six adults and three little kids all crammed around one table at a local seafood restaurant, lunch was a busy, boisterous affair. Delphine contented herself with listening, speaking only when spoken to. She didn’t look forward to returning to the bleak silence of her apartment.

  Without Brad, daily life seemed drained of light and color.

  Brad watched Delphine from the corner of his eye, only half-involving himself in his family’s conversation. He felt the worry begin to swell within him once again—worry that she would be sucked in to feeling obliged to him and his family. He knew how relentless they could be.

  He saw her gentle smile when she answered the probing questions his sister posed to her. Brad sighed. Delphine was too polite to tell anyone to mind their own business. Did she feel suffocated by all this attention? Was she wishing herself anywhere but here? Her ebony eyes and composed expression were difficult to read.

  Well, one thing he knew for sure. He wanted to get her alone—with him.

  ****

  After lunch, when they’d returned back to the house, Brad turned to Delphine in the entry hall. “Would you be interested in going for a walk on the beach?”

  She smiled, glad for an opportunity to be alone with him. “I’d love to.”

  “Mom, we’re going for a walk.”

  Mrs. Larsen emerged from the kitchen, a look of disappointment on her face. “Oh, I was planning to show Delphine pictures of all the grandkids.”

  “Another time, Mom.” He tugged on Delphine’s hand and headed for the door.

  “Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Larsen for lunch,” she managed to call over her shoulder as Brad pulled her toward his Jetta.

  Once they were in the car and on the road, Brad gave her a rueful smile. “Sorry to drag you away like that. But there’s no easy way to free yourself from my family. They’re like the Body Snatchers. I swear they won’t be happy until they own your soul.”

  His face went through several horror movie-inspired contortions, making Delphine laugh.

  “They definitely know how to make one feel wanted.” The statement reminded her of her mother’s words at the funeral reception. She bit her lip.

  Brad slid a glance at her before returning his gaze to the road. He kept up a light stream of conversation until they arrived at the beach, which helped her relax a bit. After finding a parking space, they emerged from the car.

  A warm breeze swayed the trees and blew a strand of hair into her eyes. Once Brad locked up the car, he took Delphine’s hand and led her through the crowded parking lot and down onto the teeming beach, where they removed their shoes. The hazy afternoon sun wavered over the glassy blue ocean, casting mellow light over kids and adults frolicking in the surf or sunbathing on the warm sand.

  “Yo, Larsen!”

  Delphine turned her head in the direction of a young man in baggy Hawaiian swimming trunks jogging toward them, a boogie board under his arm.

  She looked up at Brad. His face creased into a wide grin. He held out his hand to the man, who stopped abruptly in a spray of sand.

  “Delphine, this is Goofy Foot, er, Mark Bellamy. I taught him to surf when he was just starting out.” He shook his hand. “Nice doggers, brah.”

  She glanced at Mark, his brown spiky hair highlighted gold by the sun, wondering what doggers were.

  “Dude, you were there when I was just a grom wadin’ in the ankle-busters.” His green eyes twinkled with obvious admiration for Brad.

  “I heard you were ripping over Hatteras way and even took the comp last year.”

  “Yeah, until I dropped in on a left-hander and promptly got smashed in a hiddie wipeout. Over the falls, man.”

  “Neptune cocktail, huh?”

  “Totally, and a wicked sand facial to finish the job. Really maxed out my neck, dude. Been in physical therapy the last two months.”

  Delphine raised her brows. Aha! English!

  Brad frowned. “Bummer.” He looked at Mark’s board. “So, on a surfari already?”

  Mark kicked his foot in the sand. “Naw. Doc is gnarly strict, man. Two more weeks of therapy before I get the okay to start shredding. Feel like a poser, dude.” He sent a sidelong grin at Delphine. “But hangin’ out, might catch me a bunny.”

  Brad laughed. “Hope you crest, man.”

  “Dude.” Mark slapped his shoulder. He smiled at Delphine and headed back the way he’d come.

  Brad put his arm around her waist and navigated her toward the surf. She snuggled against his side as they strolled along the water’s edge.

  “That was interesting,” she said, peeking up at his face. His gaze seemed far away.

  “Huh?” He looked down at her, an absent smile on his face.

  “Well, if you think French is hard to understand…”

  He laughed softly. “Yeah, sometimes I forget not everyone understands the lingo.”

  She watched the water swirl around their feet. “Do you still surf?”

  Delphine felt his muscles tense. “Not much anymore. When I failed to hit the big time, I realized I couldn’t make a living at it. Didn’t want to be a troll.”

  “A what?” She imagined a creepy creature that lived under bridges.

  “Someone who lives out of his car or rents cheap beach shacks, always on the hunt for the perfect wave.” A corner of his mouth twitched. “Besides, my dad wanted me to go to school, get a real job.” He said the last part in a deep, brusque voice, obviously imitating his father.

  “Do you miss that life?”

  Brad shrugged. Delphine sensed he was hedging. Who wouldn’t miss a life of sun, sand, and surf? Why plunge into the world of the nine to five if one didn’t have to? She swallowed, keenly aware of the contrast between his former life and his current one—dealing with all her problems.

  He squeezed her shoulder and sent her a lazy grin. “What I don’t miss is my life before you, Delphine.”

  His words pierced her heart in a painfully sweet sensation. She gazed up at him, feeling like she was drowning in the caressing way he looked at her. He dipped his head and brushed his lips across hers. The roar of the surf faded, eclipsed by the roar of her heart.

  They wended their way along the water’s edge. The only sounds were the shouts of children in the distance and the waves at their feet. The sun beat down on top of her head, and combined with the warmth of Brad’s body, Delphine felt languorous and content.

  She tried hard not to let her cerebral side interfere with the pleasure of having him so close. When familiar pang of worry or uncertainty of where she really stood with him imposed, she forced her mind to enjoy the beauty of her surroundings—the present comfort of his company.

  They eventually made their way to the Pier and stood, leaning against the wooden rails, watching the colorful sailboats tack across the calm waters of the bay. From there, Brad took her to a restaurant in Riveria Village, where he kept her entertained with funny stories from his childhood while they ate.

  They returned to the beach in t
ime to watch the sun slip below the horizon. Brad hugged her close. Delphine pressed her face against his shoulder, almost wishing she’d never experienced anything so wonderful. If circumstances changed, she’d be forced to live with discontentment.

  Delphine fought against her negative mind-set. Just because it’s so ingrained, do I always have to give in to it?

  When Brad tilted up her face and lowered his lips to hers, she slid her arms around his waist. In the way the waves lapped at her feet, she let the feel of his kiss wash away her nagging qualms.

  ****

  Brad gripped the wheel of the Jetta as he maneuvered through the heavy weekend traffic during the trip from the beach to Delphine’s apartment. Towering palm trees lining the avenues were silhouetted against the orange-charcoal color of the sky.

  He chanced a glance at Delphine and found her staring out her window. He sensed her emotionally receding from him.

  Is she still thinking about that stupid loan?

  Brad drew in a breath and willed his heartbeat to slow. He wanted to kick himself for ever suggesting it in the first place. After her comment about wondering if he considered her part of the deal, he wondered if he could ever fully trust her words of affection. When she said I love you did it mean I had better return the sentiment or this could jeopardize me financially?

  Brad knew Delphine didn’t have a mercenary bone in her body, but at the same time when push came to shove, did that loan weigh so heavily on her that it crushed any real affection she might have for him?

  Or worse, did she feel obligated to him, inwardly dreading his touch? He thought about her response to his kisses. What if she was faking it?

  Bile rose in his throat at the idea. No, she couldn’t, wouldn’t, do that to him.

  Would she?

  Brad wondered what her reaction would be when she discovered she no longer owed the money. How could he keep it a secret? Would she be more angry than relieved? Her dark eyes seemed to reveal so little of what she really thought about.

  Brad suddenly realized he’d entered her neighborhood without really being aware of how he’d arrived there. He gave himself a shake and looked over at Delphine.

  She smiled and put her hand on the car door. “Brad, I want to thank you for a wonderful day.” She lowered her gaze for a moment, before looking back up at him. “Do you want to come in for a little bit?”

  As if he could refuse spending time with her. “Sounds great.”

  They got out of the car and walked into her building. At her door, Delphine dropped her keys. It took her several moments before she got the door open. Brad wondered if she felt as tense as he did.

  Inside it was dark. Delphine walked across the room and turned on one of the beaded lamps. A warm glow filled the space.

  “It’s so quiet here now,” she said. “I’m still not used to it.”

  Brad put his hands in his pockets. “How are you holding up?” He was ashamed to admit he hadn’t thought a whole lot more about Delphine’s grief. His desire for her clouded everything else in his mind.

  She gave a little shrug. “Okay, I guess. I remind myself my father is better off, away from all my nagging and bossiness.”

  Her sad smile wrenched his heart.

  “I also miss my mother despite the fact that she was such a handful.” Delphine waved to the couch. “Can I get you something to drink? I have some iced tea in the refrigerator.”

  Brad walked over and plopped onto the couch. “That’d be great.”

  When she left the room, he heaved a sigh. Lacing his hands together between his knees, he considered just asking Delphine outright about her true feelings for him. She’d professed her love, but could he rely on her words?

  Then again, she’d probably be offended that he doubted her.

  A moment later, Delphine returned with two glasses of iced tea and joined him on the couch. He took a sip of his tea and looked at her over the rim of the glass, aware of the warmth from her body, the light scent of her hair. Her eyes seemed so black and fathomless. He suddenly wanted to spark some emotion there—an emotion he could name.

  Brad set his glass down on the coffee table.

  “Delphine.” His voice came out husky.

  She put her own glass down and moved easily into his arms. Threading his hands into the silkiness of her hair, Brad kissed her with a single-minded intensity that eclipsed everything else. He thought he’d die if she didn’t return his love, if she only endured his embrace out of some kind of misplaced obligation. Brad raised his lip a breath from hers, struggling to make sense of his emotions. “Is this the way you’re protecting the loan, Delphine?”

  The sharp sound of her intake of breath made him realize he’d said aloud what he only meant to think, and that it had come out all wrong. “That’s not what I meant—”

  Delphine pushed him away so hard, he nearly sprawled off the couch. He scrambled to his feet and put up his hands. “Slow down, just hold on.”

  She stood, her hands clenched into fists, her face flushed. Her words, all in French, were spoken with such blistering venom that he could only back up across the room while she advanced on him. When he came in contact with the front door, he made one last desperate attempt.

  “I’m so sorry. You have to believe I said the wrong thing—”

  Delphine stood breathing hard, staring at him with plenty of identifiable emotion blazing from her eyes. Rage, shock, and hurt. Oh God, he didn’t want to hurt her. Brad took a step forward.

  She pointed to the door. “Go!”

  Too shocked to do anything but obey, Brad grabbed at the doorknob and slid through the opening, wincing when the door slammed behind him.

  He stood for a moment, staring at the door, feeling dazed and mindless. What in the world came out of my mouth? Is it possible I said such a rotten thing? It was like looking back on the actions of a stranger.

  A really stupid one.

  Realizing Delphine wouldn’t listen to him at the moment, Brad finally turned and made his way on shaky legs down the steps and out to the street. He drove home, feeling as if he’d awakened from a dream—no, a nightmare.

  I never meant to say such a thing. I might as well have accused her of using her body to placate me.

  How had it come out so wrong? How had it come out at all?

  Please God, forgive me for being such an idiot. Please let Delphine forgive me. Help restore our relationship.

  What’s left of it, he added grimly.

  When he returned home, Brad entered the house as silently as possible, not wanting to alert his parents of his presence. He could hear the television on in the den. Peering around the corner to the kitchen, he saw it was empty. Quickly crossing the hall, he padded up the stairs, breathing a small sigh of relief when he made it to his room unnoticed.

  His conversation with Mark from the beach popped into his head. I wiped-out in my own way tonight, Dude. I mondo hemo-ed today. Right over the falls.

  Collapsing onto his bed, Brad squeezed his eyes shut and prayed sleep would come quickly.

  Fourteen

  Delphine slowly opened her eyes and groaned. She could tell they were still puffy. Closing them tight, she felt another wave of pain and sadness wash over her.

  As the details of the previous evening flooded back into her mind, fresh fury engulfed her. How could Brad be such a pig? How could he treat me that way? I’ll never forgive him. Never!

  All the enjoyment of her time with him and his family vanished in a deluge of regret so exquisitely painful, she felt like she’d choke. The knowledge that Brad assumed such things about her took her breath away. How had she never seen his true character? How had she been gulled, especially when she knew better than to trust her heart to someone so flighty and frivolous?

  Delphine had always imagined the notion of a heart breaking a romantic, poetical one. Now she felt as if a great weight crushed down on her chest. Hot tears escaped her closed eyelids. Her heart felt so wrenched apart, she wondered how it contin
ued to beat. She remained there for several minutes, utterly drained of energy or motivation.

  Soon the stern voice of duty called. Delphine had a business to run—and a loan to repay—with money. A glance at the clock on the nightstand told her Stephan and Minnie would soon be arriving for work, and they didn’t have a key.

  Slowly sitting up and scooting to edge of the bed, she clutched her aching head in her hands and breathed a silent prayer for strength to get through the day. Seeing the stuffed bunny out of the corner of her eye, she grabbed it and stood. Marching over to the closet, she opened it and tossed it inside, slamming the door.

  Swallowing hard against a new surge of tears, she made her way to the bathroom.

  Fifteen minutes later, Delphine emerged from a hot shower, feeling incrementally better. She dressed in a light cotton blouse and slacks and put her hair up in a twist. She grabbed her purse and headed for the door, her mind already planning out her day. With the ease of long practice, she shoved down her troubles and went to work.

  When she arrived at the chocolate shop, Stephan and Minnie were waiting outside the back door in the alley. She decided then and there to get Stephan a key.

  “Sorry I’m late,” she mumbled, edging past them to open the shop. As she turned toward them, Delphine saw them pass questioning looks between each other. She wondered if her attempt to hide her emotional state with make-up had failed.

  Once inside the shop, she briskly outlined their duties and from there, closed herself inside her office.

  Stephan raised his eyebrows at the office door and looked over at Minnie. “Did you see her face?” he whispered. “Do you think it’s like seasonal allergies or something?”

  Minnie rolled her eyes. “She’s obviously been crying, silly.”

  “Crying about what?”

  Minnie scrunched up her nose. “Well, she doesn’t seem sad. She kind of marched into the shop and then she slammed the office door shut. So that makes me think she’s mad. We haven’t been here long enough today to upset her, which means she can’t be mad at us. So it must be love problems.”