Page 72 of Adoring Delaney

“Never?”

“Nope.”

“Well, I’m afraid you’re not gonna start meeting them tonight,” Logan returned. “We’re not friends, we’re family.”

“I like that,” Laney whispered, then she froze and her eyes narrowed.

I turned to follow her gaze but saw nothing out of the ordinary.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Sorry.” Laney shook her head and looked back to Logan. “I love that you’re all close like that.”

“Laney. What’d you see?” I demanded.

“It’s nothing. A woman walked by and for a second she looked like Natalie.”

“Natalie?”

“You know, the—”

“I know who Natalie is. Did the woman look like Natalie or was it Natalie?” I asked for clarification though my gut was already telling me the answer.

“Looked like her. We’re eight hours from home.”

“That doesn’t mean shit, Laney. Are you sure?”

“Yeah, I’m sure. What is it with you and that woman? You’re scaring me again, acting like she’s some crazy psycho.”

Shit, I didn’t want to scare her, especially not when she was already nervous about meeting the guys. But everything inside of me was telling me Natalie was not who she said she was.

“I just don’t like her.”

“You don’t even know her.”

“Neither do you, baby. And I’m sorry I’m worrying you, but I cannot ignore my gut. Something’s telling me there’s something off about her.”

“Who are we talking about?” Trey asked from behind me.

I knew the moment Delaney’s eyes took in the guys, most notably Trey. I hadn’t lied when I told her he should’ve been a model or movie star. She had the same response every woman had, only she recovered faster than most. I would’ve been jealous had I not known Laney the way I did. She may find him attractive but she’d never cheat on me. Not even mentally, so while she could appreciate Trey’s good looks, that’s where it’d end.

“No one, brother. Good to see you.” I stood, bringing Laney with me up off her bar stool and offered my old team handshakes, then made the introductions.

“Delaney, this is Drake, Matt, Trey, and Luke.”

“Hi.” Her smile was open and friendly but nerves had set in.

I pulled her closer to me and pride filled me when she returned the gesture and put her arm around my waist and hooked her finger around my belt loop.

It was something I’d never had the pleasure of feeling. We’d never gone out socially where I could openly claim her. It was startling, a reminder of the simple things we’ve never had.

“Table’s almost ready. We asked for the patio,” Logan told the guys.

“You ever been here, Delaney?” Matt inquired.

“No. First time in Virginia Beach,” she returned.

Matt glanced at me, his confusion clear as day, then back to Laney. “Food’s great but the view is better.”

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