Page 60 of Treat Her Right

“He likes to think so. Unfortunately, most of the ladies agree with him.” Then she said, “Now back to you and Zack. I want to tell you, whatever you do, don’t give up. I almost gave up on Mick, but luckily his family talked me out of it. Since we’re like Zack’s family now, I feel honor bound to do the same for you.”

Wynn gave up without a whimper. She flopped down beside Delilah on the edge of the tub and hung her head. “It’s no wonder Zack isn’t interested in getting serious with me. Every time I’m around him, I end up doing something dumb. Like wrestling him to the ground—”

“No kidding?” Delilah looked very curious about that.

“And insulting him and then I fell and broke my stupid toe…”

“Why do you insult him?”

Wynn shrugged. “I’ve always been treated like one of the guys. It’s all I really know. I speak my mind, tease and harass.”

Delilah nodded. “Yeah, Mick and Josh and Zack do that all the time.”

“So does my brother and the guys from the gym.”

“Hmmm.” Delilah got up to pace. She wore a tiny T-shirt with a smiley face on the front, baggy jeans, and strappy sandals, and still she looked utterly feminine. If the woman wasn’t being so nice, Wynn might not have liked her. She sat again and took Wynn’s hand. “I think you should tell Zack how you feel.”

“Really?” Wynn winced even considering it. “Is that what you did with Mick?”

She laughed. “Too much so. Poor Mick didn’t know what to think of me. But I’m not used to hiding my feelings, especially feelings that strong. I knew almost from the moment I noticed him that I wanted him for my own.”

Wynn nodded in understanding. She’d felt the same about Zack. Almost from the first, she’d known what a wonderful person he was.

“Okay.” Delilah stood. “Off with the robe and into the hot tub. I’ll get Mick and Josh to leave and I’ll send Zack out. What’s your bathing suit look like?” Her eyes widened and she asked with scandalized delight, “Or are you wearing one?”

“Of course I’m wearing one!” Wynn almost sputtered at the idea of traipsing across two yards in nothing but a thin robe. “I wouldn’t leave my house naked.”

Delilah looked let down. “Okay, let me see the suit.”

“It’s…um, kinda skimpy.”

“Because you wanted to entice Zack? Good idea, not quite as good as being naked, but still… Not that he needs any enticement, you know. He’s been antsy and pacing and impatient all night. We all knew he wanted us gone so he could visit with you, so of course that made Mick and Josh more determined to hang around, just to watch Zack fret.” Delilah shook her head. “They’re all nuts, but I love them.”

Once she finished talking, Delilah just waited. Then she cleared her throat. “Can I see the suit?”

Wynn hadn’t had any really close female friends before. She hung more with the guys, and that had always suited her just fine. But Delilah, well, she was easy to talk to, friendly and open. Wynn liked her on the spot.

“Okay, but don’t laugh.”

“Why would I laugh?”

Wynn squeezed her eyes shut, gripped the lapels of the robe, and held it open. She wasn’t naked, but the string bikini was as close as she could get.

Delilah whistled. “Wow. Zack’ll be lucky if he lasts half an hour. You look great. Like a model.”

Wynn snatched the robe shut. “The only time Zack and I made love it was pitch dark and he couldn’t really see me.”

“Well, that suit’ll make up for it! I almost wish I could hang around for his reaction. Will you call me tomorrow and let me know how it goes?”

Dumbstruck, Wynn stammered, “Uh, well, yeah. Sure.”

“Wait! Better still, let’s have lunch. I just finished a book so I’ve got some free time. I need to let my brain recoup before I start plotting again. Where do you work? I could meet you there.”

Overwhelmed by Delilah’s enthusiasm, Wynn heard herself giving the address for her brother’s gym. “Conan will wet his pants if you actually come and say hi.”

“Your brother is a real sweetheart. It always makes my day to meet up with a reader. In fact, don’t tell him yet, but I’m thinking of setting a book around a gym. Can you imagine? With all that weight equipment and the pool and the sauna, why, all kinds of stuff could go on there. Like maybe…” Delilah caught herself and laughed. “There I go, plotting again. Ignore me.”

Wynn was charmed. “I think it’s interesting. And I’m sure Conan would be thrilled to help out by showing you around and answering questions.” Her brother would owe her big time for this one, Wynn thought, and smiled.

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