Page 9 of One More Kiss

Me: I don’t want you to spend the weekend with Sam fucking Vincent!

Delilah: Suck it up, buttercup. My time is for people who care about me.

A spasm of pain exploded in my chest. Did she really think I didn’t care about her?

Me: You’re angry with me.

Delilah: Whatever could have given you that idea?

Me: I said I’m sorry.

Delilah: I can read.

Delilah: I know what you said.

Delilah: Tell me what you’re sorry about, and why you’re sorry, and maybe I will take that into consideration.

Me: If I knew what you were upset about, I would.

Delilah: Yeah, no. Enjoy your weekend. I know I will.

Cursing, I hit connect, but it barely rang before she sent me to voice mail. “Come back to the hotel,” I implored when the automatic recording clicked over. “Whatever you’re upset with me about, we can discuss it. In bed. After we both get some much-needed sleep… Please, Lily.”

CHAPTER SIX

delilah

Stef pulled up his Bugatti outside the Royal Phoenix, a scowl already darkening his handsome face. I should have been at work twenty minutes ago, but for once, I didn’t care if I was late or not. It was hard to care about little things, like if my colleagues gossiped about my work ethic when what I’d spent my entire life working toward was no longer mine.

My friend tucked a lock of my blond hair behind my ear, giving me a grim smile. “You can still run away with Sam to Cabo. I swear I won’t be mad. Just incredibly jealous that you get to spend a week on the beach with my boyfriend while I’m up to my elbows—literally—in placentas.”

Despite how tired I was, I returned his smile. “As tempting as the offer is, I have responsibilities. Plus, I don’t do well lying around, stewing. It makes everything more daunting. Didn’t I drive you and Sam bonkers over the weekend?”

“As always, you were a lovely distraction. You make Sam giggle, and that’s priceless to me.” Leaning over, he kissed my forehead. “Don’t overdo it. Make sure you’re drinking enough water, and try to eat several small meals throughout the day. If you need anything, we’re just a call away.”

Tears stung my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I hadn’t allowed myself to cry all weekend. What good would it do anyway? It wouldn’t fix anything, including my broken heart. Instead, I’d only allowed anger to fuel me for the last few days.

“Don’t work too hard,” I told him, reaching for the door.

“That’s my line, precious,” he called after me. “See you tonight. Wear something sexy. Sam has a business dinner to attend. You can be his arm candy.”

Shaking my head at him, I waved as I turned to walk into the hotel. Winston excused himself from a group of guests when I entered. “Why do you look more haggard today than the last time I saw you? Aren’t days off supposed to be rejuvenating?”

I glowered at my boss. “A girl could get a complex from hearing men continuously tell her she looks like shit.”

“Who said such a thing to you?” he demanded, his voice dropping menacingly. “Give me names.”

“You’re sweet, but I’m going to have to pass on that one. Convict orange wouldn’t look good on you.”

He fell into step with me as I started toward the reception desk. “Is there anything you want to tell me?”

“Yes, actually.” I stopped and turned to face him. An ache was already building in my ribs, but I powered through. I was going to miss Winston so much. He’d been a father figure to me my entire life, more so than anyone else, even Grandpa Howie. I’d spent days considering my options and had come to the only decision I could that would still leave me with a little dignity. “Expect my formal resignation by the end of the day.”

Winston was rarely surprised, but my announcement had his thick brows lifting toward the ceiling. “You’re not serious.” I remained silent, and he grumbled something under his breath. “Delilah, what is going on? Talk to me. Perhaps I can help.”

I wanted to unload everything on him so badly, but that wasn’t fair. Winston was my boss. And since he was the general manager, the only person he answered to was Nash. I wouldn’t put him in the middle of our issues.

“There’s nothing to help with. I want to focus on myself for a little while, and I can’t do that here. I’m going to…travel.” Out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw Nash. My hands balled into fists at my sides, my heart ricocheting off my chest, nausea tossing around in my stomach. “I will email you my resignation letter.”

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