Page 87 of Choosing Forever
“Only if you agree to help.”
She scoffs, coming further into the room. The pointed look she gives my naked chest was to be expected.
“Well, first, I’d suggest not trying to win her over by flashing her your dad bod. You can do that as much as you want after you’ve got the girl.”
“I was helping her with her nose.”
“Either way, you need to win her heart first, Darren.”
I scrub an antsy hand down my jaw. “I know. I know I pushed too hard and spooked her. She hasn’t forgiven me yet.”
“No she hasn’t, and it will take more than taking care of her bloody nose for you to earn that.”
“I’ll do whatever it takes. It’s always been Delaney for me, Poppy. Always,” I rush out.
My sister reaches for me and palms my arm. “I know. And she does too. You just have to help her remember why she fell in love with you in the first place all those years ago. She needs to feel safe with you again because right now, you scare her.”
I deflate, collapsing against the table. “She was right here. So close. We were . . .”
“Don’t give up yet.”
“I couldn’t if I tried. I’m not myself anymore. I haven’t been in a long time. But when she’s with me, I am.”
“Hug me, big brother.”
I let loose a weak exhale and do exactly that because I know I’ll need the borrowed strength for what’s coming next.
28
DELANEY
“You’re not backing out now,”Daisy chides, giving another yank on my arm.
“Don’t make me do this. I can’t believe I ever agreed in the first place.”
“Oh, come on. This is actually adorable. Plus, I know Abbie’s quite obsessed with the idea.”
“Of course she is. To a seven-year-old, I’m sure this is the best idea in the history of good ideas.”
I’ve heard her squeal and brag to her friends more times over the last week than I can count on two hands about the kissing booth her father and I were organizing. It seemed like a fine idea when I was trapped in the passenger seat of Darren’s car with a belly full of milkshake and a cheeseburger cooked to perfection. But now?
It’s the worst thing I could have ever agreed to do.
Kissing booths are for carnivals or a high school prom fundraiser. They’re not meant for something like this. I can already feel the awkwardness that’s bound to come when nobody shows up.
Maybe I should have at least offered to help build the booth or even decorate it. At least then I’d have known what kind ofimage we’re going to be giving out to the entire town today. But no. Instead, I let Darren handle it. My only saving grace will be Abbie. If I’m lucky, she’ll have snuck away from Sasha long enough to help her dad make the booth look mildly appealing.
“Well, I think it’s cute too. It’s unique. You could have easily chosen to sell cookies or something instead,” Daisy offers.
Her hold on my arm stays tight as I huff and slowly follow her across the field. The drive-in was the obvious place to put the booth, and as we pass the fire truck camped out in front of the first set of full parking stalls, I’m almost relieved we chose this location.
Two food trucks are parked off to the side of the fire truck, along with a huge blow-up castle full to the brim with kids. Folding tables and chairs have been set up in the freshly cut grass, and there’s even a small stage with a sound system and a group of little girls in tutus dancing. It’s busy too. The entire field is.
It’s nothing like I was expecting today.
Daisy giggles, her eyes fixed on my open-mouthed expression. “Before you ask, Bryce and Poppy are already at the booth, triple-checking that Darren hasn’t scared all of the people away.”
“Who organized all of this?”
