Chapter 57
Fifty-Seven
She caught her.
Cassie, mid-glance, wide-eyed and sheepish and very un-Cassie.
Delilah didn’t look away. She held Cassie’s eyes just long enough that Cassie could know Delilah had her in her sights and then released her.
It was nice being the one who wasn’t flustered. Usually, it was the other way around. Delilah was the one fumbling, second-guessing. But something about Cassie’s nerves brought out her mischievous side. She wanted to play with Cassie, like a cat playing with a mouse. Before the inevitable pounce.
They passed a closed florist. Delilah slowed to look at the roses in the window, shaped into a heart for whatever reason—they weren’t close to Valentine’s. Delilah didn’t think she was going to get a better sign from the universe than that.
‘So,’ Delilah said, coming to a stop, turning to face Cassie. ‘Is this the part where you kiss me?’
Cassie blinked. ‘Is that allowed?’
‘Allowed?’ Delilah repeated.
‘I’m still your coach,’ Cassie said, but the protest was faint, worn down by the quiet pull between them.
Delilah took the tiniest step in Cassie’s direction. ‘Not right now, you’re not. I think we both know that.’
Cassie hesitated. Just stood there, her hands still stuffed in her jacket pockets, looking like she was weighing the risk of something enormous.
Delilah realised Cassie wasn’t going to kiss her. She couldn’t do it. Something was standing in her way. Delilah needed to make the call.
She leaned in first. Just enough to make it clear. Cassie met her halfway.
The kiss was brief, a little shaky. Their noses bumped. When they pulled apart, Cassie still had her eyes closed.
‘You really are nervous,’ Delilah said softly.
Cassie opened her eyes. ‘It’s pathetic, isn’t it?’
Delilah shook her head. ‘No,’ she said. ‘I like it.’
Cassie was wide-eyed. And Delilah liked that too.