Page 40 of From Best Friend to Bride
“Here we go.” Deli set three mugs down on the island, followed by a plate of biscuits, and sat on one of the empty stools. “Who was it this time?”
Mel sniffed again, this time with a wrinkle of her face. “Alexandra and Chelsea.”
“Ugh, them.”
“See? Deli gets it.” She cradled her mug, looking down into it. “They’re obsessed with you, and God only knows why. They’ve never spoken a word to you.”
I looked at Henry. “Who are Alexandra and Chelsea?”
He shrugged.
“See?” Mel exclaimed. “You don’t even know who they are, yet they worship at the altar of Frederick Wellington as if you’re a god yourself.”
“Maybe you should introduce them, then. Sounds like they have something in common with him,” Deli said dryly.
I touched my hand to my chest and feigned hurt as I met her gaze. “How can you talk about introducing your fiancé to other women so flippantly?”
“Quite easily. Mostly, I just hope someone else can listen to your narcissistic drivel instead of me.” She turned to Mel. “Seriously. Introduce them.”
My sister wrinkled her nose once more. “Absolutely not. Fred is far too good for them.”
“Then why can’t I marry Deli?” I asked.
“Because she’s way too good for you, idiot,” Mel replied. “Although, now that I think about it, I’m not sure anyone would be good enough for my Delilah, so maybe you’re the best option.”
Delilah stared at her like she had six eyes, then shook her head and turned her attention to her tea.
“Wow. So you’ll drag me, your own brother, down while you toot Deli’s horn, huh?”
“Someone has to toot my horn.” Deli sniffed. “God only knows there’s a whole ass orchestra inside your head tooting yours.”
“I’m very fond of the brass section.” I patted the side of my head. “They do an excellent job.”
She looked at me blankly. “I can’t believe I have to marry you.”
“I know. You’re so lucky.”
“Yeah, sure. Let’s go with that,” she said flatly. “By the way, Nana wants to know when you’re proposing to me. She keeps asking me, as if I know.”
“Maybe she wants you to propose to me.”
“Maybe you need a smack around the head to knock some sense into you.”
I laughed. “I need your ring size first.”
She held up her middle finger. “Will this one do?”
I grabbed her hand and pinched the base of her middle finger. “I can work with it. There’s usually about half a size in it… Well, it’s your fault if it doesn’t fit.”
“Idiot.” Deli snatched her hand back and wrapped it around her mug. “Just go and see her and keep her in the loop, would you? She’s driving me insane. You’re the one who said you wanted to marry me, so you have to keep her under control.”
I offered her a mock-salute. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll swing by later and sweet-talk her.”
“Make sure you tell her to leave me alone.”
“I’ll let her know you’re all nervous and excited about my proposal.”
“How sweet. You plan a wedding, and I’ll plan your funeral.”
