“For me, huh?”

I nod. “Yep. So, take a seat or keep standing or whatever it is you need to do, because I’m about to deliver the speech of a lifetime.”

She and Zach exchange a look. He shrugs. “This is on you two. I’m going to keep making pizzas. I’m famished.”

“You literally just ate an hour ago.”

“You calling me fat, D?”

“Never.” The grin she gives him says otherwise.

Delia makes her way around the island and takes the seat next to me. “You have my full attention, Shep.”

She stares at me intently. I can’t help but squirm around in my chair under her scrutiny.

“Well, fuck. Now I’m nervous.”

She laughs. “Don’t be. I promise not to slap you again…I think.”

Zach coughs out a laugh but continues to act like he’s invisible, working on flattening out the dough.

“Thanks. Super reassuring.” I clear my throat. “So, I guess I never really explained to you why I did what I did.”

“You said it was because I was pestering you about Zoe.”

“Yes and no. Honestly, it was annoying as shit. I mean, it was college, Delia—that’s what happens in college.” I shrug. “People hook up and it doesn’t work and that’s that. I shouldn’t have been grilled about it at Thanksgiving dinner.”

“I was upset for my friend, but you’re right. I mean, she did it to guys too, so there was no reason for me to jump on you about it. I’m—”

“Don’t you dare,” I interrupt.

“I’m with him,” Zach throws our way.

Delia pretends to zip her lips closed and throw away the key.

“Anyway, yes, I was annoyed with you for putting all my business out there in front of my family, but it wasn’t just that. I was jealous.”

“Of what? My super sweet Ryan Gosling pajamas?”

“Totally.” I laugh. “No, of you and Zach.”

My brother pauses when I mention his name and I can feel his eyes on me, but just as quickly as he stopped, he’s back to flitting around the kitchen.

“Why were you jealous of us?”

“You reminded me of what I could have had with Denver.”

“How did that come about anyway?” Zach interjects.

“Eavesdrop much?” Delia teases.

“What? A guy can’t have questions about a secret relationship his brother had in high school?”

“So nosy.” She tsks.

“AJ wanted to propose to Allie in senior year and I thought it was a really stupid idea, so I reached out to Denver to ask her to help me convince our friends they were idiots and way too young to get married. One thing led to another and…yeah. We became friends, and then we became something more than that.”

“Via texting?”