I’m not sure where she’s going with this, but the sadness in her eyes hurts to witness. “You don’t sound happy about it.”

She makes a face. “Nothing is ever easy when it comes to Sam.”

Truer words.

“You all right?” I ask.

“I will be.” Which means she isn’t now. I can’t hold back from taking her hands and holding them between mine.

She threads her fingers through mine. “I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you about the call.”

“It’s okay. I understand why you didn’t.” Now that I’ve calmed down and faced a few dark, lonely hours without her, I understand a lot of things.

Her gaze searches my face with a tenderness that I feel along my skin. “But most of all, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you exactly why I was feeling vulnerable. I may get things wrong when it comes to you, Macon, but I trust you more than anyone. No one see me the way you do. It’s a gift I never saw coming, but I treasure it with my whole heart.”

“Oh, hell, Delilah . . .” I reach for her, gently squeezing the nape of her neck. But she doesn’t let me draw her in.

Her hand lands on my chest, not pushing me away but resting there like she needs to feel me as much as I need to feel her. “Let me say this.”

When I nod, she seems to steel herself. “I’ve realized a few things. First, my sister is an asshole.”

I choke on a laugh, shocked as hell.

But Delilah doesn’t notice; her lips purse in disapproval. “I don’t know why she is how she is. We essentially had identical upbringings. And yet she ended up selfish and petty. She finds a person’s weakness and exploits it. That she did it to me for so long hurts, and yet I feel sorry for her because she could be so much more—even if I want to punch her in the tit for all that she’s done. Despite all that, I still love her. I can’t help it. I do, and I always will.”

“She’s your sister. Of course you will.” My thumb sweeps across her cheek. “I’m sorry I tried to make you feel guilty about helping her. I was jealous, and I shouldn’t be—”

Delilah touches my chin, instantly making me quiet. “I’m not finished.” She takes an unsteady breath. “I realized that when my mother said she would always hold out hope for Sam, it was out of love, not because she had blinders on. I can’t protect my mama against Sam’s antics because she’s always seen them clearly. She simply loves her anyway.”

“She sees the good in everyone. I always admired her for that.”