Page 59 of Treat Her Right

Wynn hadn’t joined her brother and the others earlier when they’d gone to worship at the writer’s feet. She wasn’t much of a mystery reader, and beyond that, she hadn’t liked the idea of forcing herself into Zack’s company any more than she already had.

Her foot hurt and she was self-conscious in her robe, but she crept forward and even pasted on a smile. “Hello. Yes, I’m Wynn. A neighbor.”

Delilah Piper-Dawson stood leaning against a tree admiring the sky. When Wynn got close, Del offered her hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Oh?” Who had talked about her, she wondered. Zack? What had he said? She stepped closer.

Though Delilah was tall for a woman, Wynn towered over her. Del had the type of slender willowy build that made Wynn feel like a lumberjack.

Delilah looked her over and asked, “You’re ready for bed?”

“Oh, no.” She fidgeted with the belt to her terry cloth robe and explained, “I have my bathing suit on. Zack invited me to use his hot tub. I, uh, I broke my toe today.”

“That’s right! I heard about that, too.”

Wynn studied the smaller woman. “What exactly has Zack told you?”

“Well, not much. Zack, as I’m sure you know, is very closemouthed and private.”

Wynn didn’t know any such thing.

“He’s also very calm and controlled.”

“Oh?”

Delilah laughed. “Yes, but Josh and Mick have both told me that around you, he’s just the opposite. Always losing his temper and grumbling and growling. I love it. It was so funny when he first started talking about getting a wife. He had all these absurd notions of what qualities he’d want.” Delilah shook her head and her beautiful, very shiny and sleek inky-black hair caught the moonlight, making it look almost liquid. Wynn reached up to smooth her own hair, which she’d ruthlessly contained in a tight knot on top of her head.

When she realized she was primping and why, Wynn dropped her hand and said again, “Oh?”

Delilah nodded. “Let me warn you though, if you do marry Zack, they’ll all expect you to get dressed up for the wedding.”

She said that as if it were the worst fate possible. Wynn despised dressing up, too, so she understood.

Del made a face. “But it’s not that bad, considering the end results.”

Wynn looked around, wondering what the hell she was supposed to say to that. When Delilah just waited, she blurted, “We won’t be getting married. Zack isn’t all that serious about me. He just wants to…well, he justwantsme.” And to be completely clear, she added, “But not for marriage.”

Delilah stared at her, then took her arm. “Come on. Let’s sit down. Here you are with a broken toe and I’ve got you standing in the yard sharing confidences.” She turned, holding on to Wynn as if she, with her measly delicate strength, could offer substantial support. “Let’s be really quiet though. The guys are yakking and I escaped out here to get some fresh air. I don’t want them to join us yet.”

They stopped at the hot tub and Delilah sat on the edge, crossing her ankles. “The patio curtains are closed,” she pointed out, “so they won’t notice us. You can go ahead and get in if you want.”

Wynn shook her head.

“Okay, but let’s get back to this sex business.”

“I didn’t exactly mean to say that.” Wynn had no idea why she’d confessed such a thing to a complete stranger. Delilah had just asked and she’d answered.

“That’s okay. People are always confiding in me. I’m a writer, you know.”

Wynn had no idea what that had to do with anything.

“Your brother told me a lot about you, too. He says you’ve never been this serious about a guy before.”

“I’ll kill him.”

Delilah laughed. “Don’t worry. No one overheard him. But you should know, it’s the same for Zack. I thought Mick was a recluse when it came to women, but Zack is even worse. It’s amazing considering they’re both friends with Josh, and that man knows no moderation where females are concerned.”

Wynn started to say, “Oh?” but caught herself in time. “I gather Josh is something of a lady’s man.”

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