Page 5 of Until Delilah

Max stands and pats the man on the back. “Dad, I’d like for you to meet my biggest fan, Beckham.”

“It’s good to meet you, Beckham.” He holds his hand out to first my son and then me. “I’m Mrs. Black’s husband, Gareth.”

“It’s nice to meet you. I’m Delilah. It was very sweet of your wife to invite us over for dinner.”

“December loves having people over since she loves cooking. She’s from a big family, and she hasn’t quite figured out how to cook for only a few people,” Gareth laughs.

“You can always send me the leftovers. I hate cooking for one,” Max declares.

How is he single?

“You’re always welcome to come over for dinner, Son.”

“Are you an only child?” I ask.

“No,” Max shakes his head. “I have an older brother Mitchell who’s married with kids. Mitchell and Bailey are busy tonight otherwise they’d be here, and then there’s my little sister Molly who’s away at college.”

Hearing Max speak about his brother and sister makes me miss my little sister, Ava. It has been so long since I last saw her.

“Dinner,” December calls as she steps out of the kitchen with a large dish that smells heavenly. “Gareth, would you please grab the garlic bread?”

“Of course. What would everyone like to drink? We have water, milk, orange juice, and maybe some sort of soda.” Gareth starts in the direction December just came from as he talks.

December and Max call out their drink orders, leaving Gareth looking at us for our order.

“I’ll have a water and Beckham will have milk.” I don’t need him bouncing off the walls when we get back to the shelter.

“I’ll help.” Max follows his dad into the kitchen while Beckham sits down at the table.

“Do you need any help?” I ask, following along. I hate sitting around and doing nothing when I know I can help. I hate feeling useless.

“You don’t need to do that, you’re our guest,” Gareth says as he places the garlic bread on a plate.

“I’m happy to help, really. Just direct me where you need me.” I come to stand at the counter while Max sets out glasses for all of us.

“Is this okay for the little guy?” He looks sheepish. “I didn’t know if he needed a plastic cup or anything like that.”

It’s sweet he thought of Beck and what he might need.

“He’s good with what you have, but thank you.” I take the gallon of milk he sets on the kitchen counter and pour Beck a glass and then fill one of the glasses with water from the refrigerator. “Did you want water as well?” I ask even though I heard what he wanted. I look over my shoulder to find Max checking out my ass.

He clears his throat and shakes his head a little. “Yes, thank you.”

* * *

Max

I can’t keepmy eyes off the woman sitting across from me. She’s breathtaking with eyes the color of the ocean and pale skin that sets them off even more. Her lush pink lips have me desperate to crush my mouth to hers.

I’ve noticed all through dinner, while she’s chatted easily enough, there’s strain there and I’m dying to find out why. There’s also the cut on her lip and, if I’m not mistaken, the end of a healing black eye.

Looking to my left, I smile down at her son, Beckham, who’s got to be one of the sweetest kids I’ve ever met. He looks up at me with starstruck eyes filled with wonder.

“Hey, buddy. If it’s okay with your mom, do you want to go out back and play some catch? Maybe even hit the ball around some?”

It’s as if I offered him a million dollars with the way he’s blinking at me in disbelief.

“Can I, Mom?” he asks eagerly. His eyes and smile are so wide I don’t know how she ever tells her boy no.

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