Page 19 of That One Night
“You said it, Vice President.” He winked.
She giggled, then gave him a sly look. “So… I have some more news.”
He sat on the edge of her bed. “I’m all ears.”
Her voice dropped to a whisper. “I have a boyfriend.”
Hendrix arched a brow. “Do you now?” Wow. She wasn’t supposed to be growing up so fast. Pres was going to be so mad. He suppressed a smile at that thought.
“His name is Ben. He gave me half his cupcake at lunch,” she said proudly, her cheeks pinking up.
“That's practically a proposal.”
She grinned with delight. “He asked to walk me to library period. I said yes.”
He sank onto the floor beside her. “Classic boyfriend move. Does your dad know?” God, he couldn’t wait to see his brother’s face.
“God, no. He’d just be embarrassing.”
He tried not to laugh. “Okay. So what do you want from me? Uncle standard advice? Spy gear?”
She shrugged. “I just needed to tell somebody. And I knew you wouldn’t freak out.”
“I’m honored.” He bumped her shoulder with his. “Want my two cents?”
Delilah nodded.
“If Ben’s sweet, makes you laugh, and doesn’t make you feel like you have to be anyone else… then he’s a good one.”
She nodded solemnly. “He said my sneakers are cool.”
He gave her solemn nod. “Total keeper.”
She smiled, then tilted her head. “How come you don’t have a girlfriend?”
He lifted a brow. “Whoa there, kid. You’re coming in hot with the personal questions.”
“I’m just asking.” Her gaze was steady. “You’re funny, you smell good, and you’re not ugly.”
“Well, thanks,” he said, laughing under his breath. “But I’m on a break from dating.”
“Because of the California girl?”
He paused. Sharp kid. “Yeah. She wasn’t who I thought she was.”
“What happened?”
Hendrix paused. Yes, she was growing up, but there were some things above her grade level. Not that he wanted to talk about this anyway.
“Let’s just say we didn’t want the same things. I figured it out late, but better than never.”
Delilah nodded, like she understood more than she should. “Mom says the best relationships are built on friendship.”
“Your mom’s smart.”
Delilah gave him a long look. “So maybe you just need a new friend.”
He didn’t reply right away. Instead, he reached out and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Maybe I do.”
