Page 41 of Unstoppable You

A server brought our drinks and asked if we were ready to order. James asked for more time before I could open my mouth.

“What’s good here? I’m kind of up for anything.”

Going back to the menu, I listed off some of my favorites.

“I think I’ll get the Bee Sting Burger,” James said, which happened to be my favorite burger with onion rings, bacon, honey barbecue sauce, and cheese. Eating it was always a mess, but after your first bite you didn’t even care.

I decided to get something different and did a custom burger with bacon, avocado, fried pickles, and spicy mayo.

James’s phone went off and she read a notification and then smiled.

“One of my clients had her baby. Her name is Poppy Scarlett.” She typed a quick response and then put her phone down.

“Pretty,” I said.

“They went with a color theme. That was fun. Her parents want to have more kids, so I’m hoping I get to work with them again.”

Her job absolutely fascinated me. It sounded like a joke when you first heard about it, but then she explained, and it was really special.

I wondered what her parents thought about her career. They hadn’t really given a shit about Connor having any kind of employment, and he’d lied to them about what he was doing anyway. Had they given their daughter the same leeway? Didn’t think so.

Fully aware I might be opening a can of worms, I said, “What do your parents think about your job?”

She laughed. “They hate it. I’m pretty sure they think I’m actually selling drugs.”

“And I’m guessing you’ve explained to them that you are not, in fact, a drug dealer.” Of the two St. Clair offspring who would sell drugs, Connor was a much more likely candidate. I’d had my suspicions when we’d been dating that I’d done my best to ignore.

“Many times. They think my job is bullshit, my degree is bullshit, my life is bullshit. I don’t know why I still answer the phone when they call me.” She sucked down most of her drink through the straw and I wondered if she wished it was something stronger.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to bring that up.” I couldn’t seem to stop dredging up unpleasant things.

“It’s fine,” she waved her hand, dismissing the topic. “Tell me about the last book you read.”

Now that was a conversation I couldn’t resist.

“Okay, have you heard about something called sentient object romances?”

Her eyes went wide and she leaned in. “No, tell me more.”

Chapter Sixteen

James

Our plates were empty,but we hadn’t stopped talking. Once Delaney had gotten started telling me about some of her favorite very strange romances, I was riveted. Not just on what she said, but the way her mouth moved and her eyes and the sound of her laugh. I drank her in, barely letting my eyes leave her face even to blink. I had to keep reminding myself that any time she could decide to tell me to fuck off and I might never see her again. I had to make the most of every moment.

Our server came and asked about dessert and I wasn’t necessarily in the mood for something sweet, but if it would keep Delaney here with me, I’d eat an entire cake by myself. One bite at a time.

“Yeah, I think I need something sweet. If that’s okay with you?” she asked me.

“As long as we split it.”

I let Delaney select the s’mores cookie skillet which arrived piled high with ice cream, drenched in chocolate and marshmallow sauce, and with sprinkles and crushed graham crackers.

It was a masterpiece and it made my teeth hurt just to look at it.

“Oh my god, it’s huge,” Delaney said, her eyes going adorably wide as she picked up her spoon. “This is going to be a challenge.”

She gazed at me with determination burning in her eyes.

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