Page 30 of Sweet Oblivion

Want and need are two very different things. I need to do this for him, Ash.

Ashton

Is Ryker there now?

Delaney

No. He’s not back yet.

Ashton

Well he packed his bags and left thirty minutes ago. So I’m thinking he’ll be there soon.

Delaney

Great.

Ashton

You’re not exactly doing a bang-up job of selling the whole in love and getting married thing.

Delaney

Do I need to sell it to you? You’re my sister, and you already know we’re full of shit.

Ashton

No. But maybe don’t say that to anyone else.

I glance up when Tori bolts for the door, dropping back on her haunches just as a knock echoes throughout the apartment.

Delaney

Gotta go, Ash. I think Ryker’s back.

Ashton

Are you working tomorrow?

Delaney

Yeah. Shop opens at ten.

Ashton

Okay. I’ll stop by in the morning.

Tori chuffs, clearly unimpressed with how long it’s takingme to cross the room. Tough luck, smalls. Walking still hurts... and breathing isn’t much easier. A quick check through the peephole shows Ryker standing on the other side, freshly showered and holding bags in both hands.

I swing it open and stand back, making room for him as he holds up what looks and smells like another bag of food. “You hungry?”

“No, thanks.”

“You’ve gotta eat, Lane.” He moves past me like he belongs here, his duffels slung over his shoulders, and black to-go bags with the word Nonna’s written in gold in each hand. The smell of garlic and onions hits me instantly, and my stomach betrays me with a low growl.

Okay. Maybe I’m a little hungry.

“You sure you’re good with me staying here?” he asks as he places the Nonna’s bags on the small, round table in my kitchen and swings both duffels to the couch.