Page 53 of The Longshot

“You’re the best,” she proclaims the second I reach her side and release my bag from my shoulder.

“It’s no trouble,” I tell her, grasping the first box. “That’s what friends are for, right?”

She smiles. “Right.”

“So, you want them in here?” I ask, gesturing to the boot of her car.

“Please,” she requests. “Just push them in. I’ll get Warren to unload later.”

I cheekily peer down at her very pregnant belly, desperate to play into this innuendo. “Didn’t he already do that?”

A flush of red rushes to her cheeks. “You’re so lucky I’m not going to tell him that.” She caresses along her stomach with a smirk. “Only because I find it hilarious.”

I laugh. At least she thinks I’m funny.

“How much longer do you have to go?” I can’t help but wonder, given that every time I see Delaney, her belly grows that much more. This is about to be the biggest baby in history.

“Four weeks,” she tells me, exhaustion in her voice. “I’m so ready to get this baby out of me.”

“Make sure Coach gets you a push present.” I quickly shove the remainder of the boxes into the boot at record speed.

She raises a brow. “‘A push present?’ How do you even know what that is, Wilks?”

“I have five siblings.” I close the boot, watching as she rubs along her stomach. “Trust me, I know what a push present is.”

“I’m impressed.” She nods. “Not just that you know that, but damn, that you were able to do that so quickly. What are you trying to do, set a record?”

“I’m in a hurry,” I tell her. “I’ve got important plans that I can’t be late for.”

“Important plans?” Delaney cocks her head to the side. “What kind of plans? Do they involve… a girl?”

I meet her face with a tender smile. I know exactly what she’s trying to get at here, and if I’m being honest, she’s the only one I don’t mind talking to about this. Unlike the lads, she won’t blab it to everyone.

“Yes, Delaney, you got me. I have a date.”

Her eyes light up in delight.

“Oh my goodness.” She clasps her hands as one. “That’s awesome, Wilks. With who? Do I know her? What’s her name? What does she look like? Is she nice? Kind? Pretty? Well, of course she’s pretty, but I need to know everything. Give me all the details!”

I exhale—maybe this wasn’t a good idea to tell her after all. “Delaney…” I attempt to speak, unsure how I'm going to even remotely satisfy even one of her questions within a normal timeframe.

She catches on. “Okay, I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” she apologizes. “I know you’re in a hurry. I’m just...” Her face is full of excitement. “So happy for you, Wilks! You deserve someone so special. You do.”

My heart softens at her words, she’s always had a way with them.

“Well, I can promise you this,” I tell her, eyes looking toward the ground as I speak. “She’s very special. That’s for sure.”

“Wilks,” Delaney’s tender voice demands that my eyes peer back up. “Aw! You really like her. Don’t you?”

I gulp. I mean, of course I like Chelsie. Hell, I feel flush just from the thought of her. I don’t know if I’ve ever wanted to pursue anyone as badly as I want to pursue her. Right now. At this moment. It’s a strange feeling—wanting someone so much that you can’t even logically describe it. Yet it comforts me. Excites me.

“Yeah,” I admit, kicking some gravel out from underneath my shoe. “I do. I… really do.”

“Hm.” Delaney is impressed with herself, continuing to rest her hands on top of her stomach. “Well, I’ll spare you all the questions… for now,” she emphasizes the last part of her statement. “But only if you at least tell me her name.”

Deal.

“Her name is Chelsie.” I smile. “Chelsie Windsor.”

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