Free A Fighting Chance by Shannon Stacey Page B

extended my stay another night.” He lifted the bag in his other hand. “I’m moving to a different room, but I wanted to see you before I go to the desk and get the new key card.”
    “Really?” She smiled, leaning closer to him. “You’re not expecting me to fake a headache or some other excuse to hide in my room with you, are you?”
    “Of course not. But maybe you can sneak away once in a while for a kiss.”
    “You’re changing your plans and paying for an extra night in this place for a few kisses?”
    “From you, yes.” He laughed and then ducked his head to kiss her. Brendan meant for it to be soft and fleeting for her sake, but she opened her mouth to him, her fingernails biting into his back. He kissed her until somebodywalking by cleared her throat in a very pointed way, and Del stepped back.
    “Kate and Brittany are both hoping to be on the road by six tomorrow evening. Even though I have to work Monday morning, I can stay a little later and have dinner with you if you want.”
    That was going to put his arrival at the cabin—the one with no power or heat other than a woodstove—sometime in the middle ofthe night, so he was going to freeze his balls off, but he didn’t care. “I want.”
    “Good.” She gave him a quick kiss. “They’re waiting for me. I’ll text you if I can sneak in a kiss, okay?”
    “Definitely.” He watched her walk into the coffee shop, unable to keep the stupid grin off of his face.
    Once Del was out of sight, Brendan joined the line in the check-in area. He probably couldhave gotten them to simply bring him a key card and change the room number in the computer, but he had time to kill. He’d drop his bag in the new room, call his dad and maybe watch some television to give his leg some rest.
    Then he’d drop everything if Del sent him a text because she might only be able to give him a few brief moments of her time before dinner tomorrow night, but he’d takeevery minute he could get.

Chapter Six
    “You look like you’re going to cry.”
    Del looked at Kate, who was frowning. “I’m not going to cry. I promise.”
    “If you need to, it’s okay. When we’re done with our cookies, we can go to my room and get every dessert on the room service menu and watch movies.”
    And that’s why they were her best friends. “We’re not doing that. We’re here to celebrate andhave a good time because you’re getting married soon and that’s what we’re going to do.”
    “Oh, good.” Kate laughed. “I’m glad because, not to make it all about me or anything, but this weekend is all about me.”
    “And slots,” Brittany said. “I’ve been here since last night and haven’t lost any money yet. I might have another cookie first, though.”
    “No more cookies for me right now,”Kate said. “I have my final dress fitting on Monday, so I need to burn some serious calories in the casino unless I’m going to eat salads the rest of the weekend.”
    Del laughed. “You just offered to eat every dessert on the room service menu.”
    “Yeah, and then wear my most stretchy yoga pants to my wedding. I’m that good a friend, Adeline.”
    They talked about the wedding while theydrank coffee and ate the cookies her friends agreed were worth drinking coffee black for. Del tried not to be constantly aware of her cell phone sitting on the edge of the table, facedown. Brendan wouldn’t text, she thought. He knew she was there to be with her friends and he wouldn’t interrupt, but the sight of the phone kept her keenly aware that he was out there in the hotel somewhere, waitingto kiss her again.
    “We need to get rid of these bags,” Brittany said when they were done. “We’ll burn some calories going back to our rooms and then figure out which casino wing to start in. I’m ready to play some slots.”
    “I’m going to make a call while I’m upstairs,” Del said. “I’ll meet you guys in the lobby in about thirty minutes?”
    “Seriously?” Kate arched an