Her smile is weak, but it’s what I need to tell me things might just be okay.

Once I get her to the limo, I hold her in my arms again and close my eyes. Nothing has ever felt so good.

“You scared me,” I whisper.

“I scared myself. I’m sorry for getting shitty with you this morning.”

I shake my head. “I’m sorry for my reaction. You know I believe you. Always.”

She nods.

“It might take a while, but we’ll get this right, Delaney. Together.”

She curls in tighter. “As if I’m ever letting go now.”

I laugh and kiss her on the forehead. I lean my head against hers as the concrete high-rises of the city spread into sprawling mansions and hedged estates.

A sense of relief settles on me when we go through the gates.

Outside the car, I scoop her into my arms despite her protests, and just like the night before, carry her up the stairs to the bedroom. At some point, she slumps and rests her head in my neck. After all she’s been through, this is the least I can do.

Leilani fusses, and I love her all the more for it. She’s become more like Reece’s second mother than just the housekeeper, and her care for him appears to extend to us.

“The bed’s freshly made, and I’ll bring in some cool face cloths. I’ve had a dash of heatstroke before, and that’ll help make Delaney feel better.”

“Thank you.”

Delaney reaches for Leilani’s arm. “Thank you so much. I’m sorry to be a burden.”

“No such thing. It’s wonderful to have you two to look after. I told you that you should have gone by car.” She wags her finger at Delaney and I chuckle.

“Lesson learned,” Delaney says.

I’ve learned a big lesson from this too.

I can’t let anything like this happen to her again.

Thirty-Six

Delaney

I’m not going to lie. Being pampered makes me feel so much better. My body still feels like it’s on fire, but at least my headache has faded, and I am no longer queasy.

What a mess.

My pride is wounded more than anything. I understand the guard not believing me, especially when I had no ID on me, but what I don’t get is why anyone would find being such an arsehole so funny.

Josh has been back and forth, getting me drinks and making sure I’m okay. I’m just happy to be inside with the air-conditioning cranked and getting some of that cool air.

He sits on the bed.

“There’s one more thing I want you to do,” I say as the golden rays of the afternoon stretch into the bedroom.

His hand in mine gives me comfort. “Anything.”

“You need to go out and see your fans.”