The Impossible Tale of Nolan & Delilah Vol. 2

By DW Cee

Nolan & Delilah marry!
Rhys goes back to London!
Cam is still a nut job!

Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?
Download and dig in.

• Language: English
• Publisher: DW Cee
• Release date: Jan 22, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370223343

DW Cee

I started writing back in Dec of 2009 after I saw an interview with Stephenie Meyers. She told Oprah that she always had stories in her head and that struck a chord with me. Whenever I drive, I have all kinds of stories circulating in my mind. Generally, I am the star of this story and many wacky things happen. Of course, I make the story quite complimentary and beneficial to me. I guess you could say Meyers channeled my head case into a novel. I am first a wife and a mother, as well as a restauranteur and a caterer. Writing is my last profession and a late-found one. I have a B.A. and an M.Ed from UCLA (yes, just like Emily from Indelible Love) and taught 1st grade for four years till I had my first child, a son. Two years later, I had my daughter and the two kids ran my life till they both started school. My husband and I opened a restaurant in LA when we first got married and have been in the food service industry for almost 17 years. I think I've always been a foodie at heart and though it sounds strange, loving food did not have anything to do with opening up a restaurant. That was all my husband's idea. I didn't even know I could cook till I got married. And then I discovered, I love cooking! I love everything related to food. Eating, first, cooking second, cleaning a definite last. I could do without the cleaning from the prep work and the mound of dishes created after a meal. But, that's a whole other blog in and of itself. Whenever we plan a family trip, and especially when my husband and I go on a couple's trip, it's based around what we want to eat, or which restaurants we want to visit. Hubby and I did a trip to Austin one summer just to eat BBQ. The trip to Rome was for pasta, Tokyo was for ramen and sushi, and in Paris, we gorged on treats from all the beautiful patisseries. The two best meals of my life were at Taillevent and Joel Robuchon in Paris. All of these places and restaurants sound familiar? :) NYC is our favorite city (and yes, Emily's favorite city as well) for dining. But… I digress. Even with the crazy schedule, I hope to keep writing. Indelible Love - Emily's Story and Indelible Love - Jake's Story were my first two attempts at writing. Entwined, my third novel, as well as Indelible Lovin' - Max & Jane's Story Vol. 1 & 2 have also been self-published on Amazon, Smashwords, iBooks, Nook, and Kobo. I am currently working on another story titled, Unlikely Attraction, as well as a new In...

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IDIO(T)(M)S

Nolan & Delilah: Out with the Old, In with the New

"Good morning. I trust you had a good night, Cam?"

"I did. How was your night, Nolan?"

Just as wonderful as yours. Are you ready to work? As of today, you are officially my PR/HR head. I have tons of issues for you to resolve for me.

Just tell me what you want done and I’ll get on it. Cam was all smiles.

It was weird to have her here. Weirder yet, Cam and I were in a new, very different, phase in our relationship.

Two nights ago, after hours of bemoaning what had happened at Delilah’s birthday party, I decided it was time for a change. Though it was late, I went over to Cam’s and told her that I wanted us to be more than friends. Being as completely honest as possible, I explained what had happened earlier in the day with Delilah, my fears of us ruining our friendship, but my desire to try for something more. If Cam would have me, I wanted a slow transition from friends to more than friends.

As expected, Cam was thrilled. However, she knew I needed some time to alter my mind and heart, and she was willing to wait—kind of. What we decided was to spend as much time together, and see where this might lead. In the end, my heart might never change, or Cam might not like me all that much. Something other than friendship was novel for us. We’d take it slow and make a go of it.

Come with me. I’ve set up an office for you.

You have? She was surprised. I thought I’d just work with you in your office.

That won’t be comfortable when employees come in to see you concerning HR issues.

Gotcha, she said with a cute wink.

As I’ve said in the past, Cam is beautiful. She reminds everyone of the gorgeous cheerleader you see in college football games. I was truly lucky to be friends with a woman who possessed everything.

I’ve ordered a new computer, desk, and chair for you. Feel free to order more furniture and to decorate your office any which way you like; expense it to the company.

Sounds good. Get me caught up and I’ll get to work. It was awesome working with my smart friend. She’d worked in HR all through undergrad, so handling a small company like mine was easy for her. I have one non-sequitur question for you.

OK. Ask anything.

Are you absolutely sure you want to try this?

"What? Why would you ask that? Have you changed your mind?" Was I being dumped by two women within a forty-eight-hour span?

Was there ever a question of my heart? It’s you I worry about. We can push it off and wait until you’re ready.

I understood Cam’s hesitation. A grand gesture was necessary. "Since you brought up the topic of an ‘us,’ I have wondered what it might be like to be in love with my best friend. There’d be no chasing, no speculating, no competing, and definitely no need to try and impress someone who didn’t give a damn. I wish you would’ve mentioned an ‘us’ before I re-met Delilah. That would’ve made my life so much easier."

Before I could say any more, there was a knock on the door and an, Excuse us.

We looked up, startled, to find a face I didn’t think I’d ever see again.

*******

It was never a good thing to find people staring at you like you belonged anywhere but there. It didn’t help that the gawking man explained he wished he had never, ever come across an adult me. The past forty-eight hours have not been good for my self-esteem.

Hey, my cousin Nicky said, we’re here to work.

Oh... The staring continued. Maybe we were interrupting something? The two people seated close to one another looked happy. Their happiness did funny, painful things to my heart.

Why don’t we come back later, Nicky? I turned around and whispered as I tried to walk away.

Nope. My cousin wouldn’t give into my suggestion. I told Nolan on Saturday that I was in. We’re behind as it is. We should’ve started this project weeks ago.

Nolan responded with, "I thought you said it would only be you joining us." That was about all I could take. Would my life get any easier?

I’ll leave you to it then. It was lame of me, but I didn’t want to be here. I had begged Nicky to leave me out of this partnership but he wouldn’t budge. It also didn’t help that all the Taylor men told me to own up to my responsibilities and to go finish what I’d started. None of them would acknowledge that nothing had started yet, so there was nothing to own up to and nothing to finish.

Wait. Lilah. Nicky came after me. I thought we were going to do this.

We were, and so here I am, I breathed out with as little emotion as possible—which wasn’t easy. You and my family told me I needed to ‘man up,’ so I’m here with you ‘manning up.’ Is there something else you need from me?

Come on, Lilah. Come back and let’s get this project off the ground.

I peered over my cousin’s shoulder and watched the couple still staring at me. I don’t think Nolan got the memo about me being here. He’s probably upset with me for what happened this weekend. It’s fine, Nicky. You can use all the ideas I’ve given you with my full permission. I’ll bow out of this project. I think I’m going to pursue law and writing instead.

Listen. Nicky had that determined look on his face. Once he set his mind on something, he was immovable. You made me and your family a promise to see this project through. After that, you can go to law school, med school, marriage school, whatever—I don’t care. I need you here and now. Don’t fail me.

You see that I’m not wanted, Nicky. Why would you do this to me? That lack of emotion was not so lacking anymore.

You’ve broken up with Rhys. Nolan, I’m sure, still wants you. You don’t seem all that against the man in that office. What part of this don’t you like?

That’s when we heard more giggles coming from the office. That did not sound like a man who still wanted me. How fickle men were.

Promise me this, Nicky. Don’t tell Nolan what happened with me and Rhys.

Why the hell not?

Because I don’t want him to know.

Why the hell not?

I just don’t! I said a little too loudly. That caught the attention of the giggly officemates.

All right, under one condition.

What’s that?

You see this project from start to finish and I’ll keep my mouth shut.

Damn cousin! All right. What choice did I have?

Nolan & Delilah: Add Insult to Injury

I felt damn awful about what happened at work the other day. I thought Delilah Rose Taylor was going to be the woman of my past. Who would’ve believed that she’d come join us at the lab? If her presence wasn’t bad enough, I treated her like someone I hardly knew and not like the woman I wanted to spend an eternity and beyond with. I was shaking my head.

Why are you shaking your head? To make life even more difficult, Donovan Taylor called me into his office. You’re like my daughter in many ways. You mumble words, make funny expressions, and believe none of us understand. Trust me when I say, you’re as easy to read as Delilah.

I had to think about what he’d said. So does that mean I’m easy or difficult to read?

The Donovan Taylor smirk was his only answer. If you feel like arguing, do it with opposing counsel.

Yes, Sir, I mumbled and headed toward the conference room.

Hello, Lilah. Mr. Taylor greeted his daughter. Are you really here to live out my dream?

Bashfully, Delilah answered, I guess, Daddy. I’ll give it a try. I wasn’t sure what her dad was talking about, but Delilah sure did look pretty today. She was in a bright yellow dress and demure heels. I had no idea why she was here, but I didn’t like it. Suddenly, she was everywhere.

Where do you want to start?

I guess I’ll start with changing the firm’s name, Daddy. If you’ll point me in the right direction, I’ll see what I can do.

How about I have you work with David? He’s brilliant, handsome, and hilarious. You’ll enjoy working with him.

All right, Daddy. Tell me what department he’s in and I’ll go introduce myself.

For sure I knew Delilah saw me, but she wouldn’t acknowledge me. Damn. I’d made a muck of things yesterday.

Hey, there, Delilah. I hoped she’d take my olive branch.

Hello. She flashed me the biggest, fakest smile, and then she waved a cursory good-bye and left.

How’d you go from courting her to barely knowing her? Delilah’s father asked.

I mumbled a few random words and walked away.

I had to admit that I wasn’t in a good place right now. My commitment to Cam was genuine, but it wasn’t going to be easy if Delilah popped into my life on a daily basis. I thought we were through in every sense of that word. Through did not mean seeing and associating with the once-girl of my dreams. Since my initial exit strategy wasn’t going to work, I needed to come up with something better.

I chose the easy way out. Hi Cam.

Hi. What’s up? Where are you? I came into work to find your office empty.

I’m at my other job.

What other job? Was it too much to ask that she not ask about this other job?

Can I explain it over lunch? Will your boss let you out for lunch in about two hours?

Cam giggled. I think so. I’m pretty tight with him. He can be generous at times.

Meet me at our favorite lunch spot at noon?

Yep. See you then.

Perfect. That put a smile on both our faces, and it made me forget I had issues with a certain blonde who was laughing it up with a handsome man a few doors down from my office. Why’d these rooms have to be all glass? It was distracting to those of us who needed to get work done.

*******

Will you be all right with the amount of work I gave you, Lilah? It’ll take you days to uncover all that information.

I’ll be fine, David. It’s not as if I had anything better to do than law research. Of course, I didn’t tell him this.

Why don’t you get started and I’ll come get you in a few hours and take you to lunch? Will your father allow me to take you out for a meal?

I guess…it’s just lunch… I answered and walked away immediately.

The last thing/person I needed in my life was another man. What a horrid weekend and an equally horrid week this had been so far—and today was only Tuesday! Who would’ve thought that I end up working two jobs with Nolan? This probably meant I’d see him all the time.

If that wasn’t bad enough, Cam worked at the lab so I couldn’t go hide out there while Nolan was here. What had happened to my life? Why was this so difficult? Maybe I could run away with my cousin again.

With that bright idea, I called Ellie. Hey, there, Cuz.

Lilah. How’s it going?

I laughed a harsh, bitter laugh. "I went to work at the lab yesterday to find Nolan and Cam acting like a loved-up couple. I came to Dad’s office to find Nolan a few doors down from my all-window office. I can see him and he can see me at all times. How’s your life fairing?"

I walked in on John as he was giving notice to Dad about his departure. As soon as I walked in, James, his brother, not mine, walks in and asks if they can leave immediately. Dad gives his approval. All three men look to me for who the hell knew what, and two of the three left without a good-bye.

Shit! You mean John and James are gone?

"As of today, they are. According to my twin, James, John isn’t leaving for Boston for a least another month. I guess he was that desperate to get away from me."

Damn, Ellie. Why is life so screwed up? Where are our happily-ever-afters?

It doesn’t exist, Lilah. Maybe our generation is doomed to live a miserably empty life.

I laughed because it was so sad and so true. What are you up to this weekend? Can you take Thursday and Friday off? Let’s go away.

Again? You do know I have patients waiting for me?

Will those patients mind if your handsome twin operates or you operate? Your patients may prefer the more handsome twin.

What’s on the agenda if I take Thursday and Friday off?

"Let’s get away, anywhere. I’m feeling like a loser right now. I need to get away from this tumultuous situation."

Any word from Rhys?

Yeah. He’s been calling and texting. I answered his first apology text and told him basically that it was nice knowing him and have stopped accepting any other texts. I’m so over men.

Me too, Lilah. Me too.

Shall I call Uncle Jake and get permission for you?

You might have to as I’ve been absent from the hospital one too many days. I’m sure other doctors are already complaining that nepotism is harder at work than I am.

All right. You call my dad and I’ll call yours.

Deal. But you need to come up with the rest—location, reservations, etc. I don’t have the mental energy to plan a trip

Deal! How about dinner after work? I promise to have our itinerary perfected by then.

Love it. See you then.

Nolan & Delilah: Line of Least Resistance

Can we talk? I picked up my phone and those three words were my hello.

Nicky? I wanted to be sure who the caller was before I answered yes.

Yeah. Sorry. I need to talk to you about a few things. Can we meet?

Sure. I’m having lunch with Cam right now but I can meet up with you for drinks or dinner tonight?

Yeah. Let’s text later and meet. It’s important we talk.

All right...

I didn’t like how ominous Nicky sounded. He was usually totally laid back. This call threw me off.

What’s going on? What’d Nicky want?

To talk.

That’s it?

Apparently so. I shook off the bad feeling and paid attention to my lunch date. How’s work? Did you get through any of that pile I sent you?

I love work, but the work environment is a little weird.

How so?

Everyone in your lab is so serious about the job they do. There’s hardly any noise, if you don’t count the humming of the machines. People don’t talk above a whisper. With such calm demeanors, I can’t imagine that you’d have many HR issues.

Trust me, we have issues. I could sit here all day and explain the people to people issues we had.

Can I bring something up? Cam finally asked. Since we met at the restaurant, I could tell something was bothering her. The brief interruption from Nicky stalled her, but I knew she wouldn’t keep it in much longer.

Sure. Tell me. As if I couldn’t guess.

"From your expression yesterday, you weren’t expecting Lilah to show up, were you? Obviously, she wasn’t expecting me to show up. With her cohabitating at the lab, how’s this going to work? Are we going to have issues?"

Were we going to have issues? Damn. If that wasn’t the question of the hour. I hope not, was the most honest answer I could give. You and I’ve been friends a long time and I hope we will always be open with one another. If you feel uncomfortable about anything, you need to tell me immediately. Never would I want you feeling displaced.

"Does the same go for Lilah? If she felt uncomfortable with me, should she come and tell you immediately? Is it all right for her to feel displaced?"

Why were women so smart and intuitive? How was I to answer such questions without becoming an asshole?

"Lilah, Nicky, and I are partners in this venture. Before you and I happened, the three of us struck a deal and I need to keep my end of the bargain. If Lilah or Nicky have issues, the three of us need to discuss and resolve them immediately. We can’t have discord in a partnership."

What about her feeling displaced? I won’t be part of her welcome wagon, you know. She may take issues with us dating.

Considering she told me she wanted nothing other than friendship, I think you and I are safe; she won’t care that we’re dating.

I don’t know, Nole. She had a weird look on her face when she saw us in the office. It resembled regret.

I think you’re reading into this non-existent drama.

So we’re good?

Isn’t that the question I should be asking you?

Like her usual self, she said, I’m feeling good, Nole. Let’s get back to lunch.

Fast forward, six hours later—if lunch wasn’t difficult enough, Nicky grilled me at dinner about this partnership of ours. What was with everyone today?

I’m concerned about the four of us working out, Nolan.

Who’s the fourth? My other partner is silent.

You know damn well who the fourth is. Yeah, I knew who he was talking about.

We’ll be all right, Nicky. I can’t guarantee you anything, but I can promise that there will be no conflict we can’t work through.

You won’t hurt my cousin?

His question/accusation made me snort. "Hurt your cousin? How do you figure?"

"Since you’ve