HOLLYN
Elwood’s hand grounds me as he leads me through the tables in the restaurant at Rosseau Paradis. It is just as fancy as I thought it would be. I’m glad I’m not staying here at the resort; I wouldn’t be able to afford it for long.
It only makes me appreciate Elwood all the more. He didn’t have to open is home to me.
And then there’s the connection between us, which I’m not quite ready to think about. There’s enough evidence, like how I already spent the night in his bed, I don’t need to say a damn thing about it out loud. Then it would be real. And I don’t think I’d be able to find the strength to leave when my car is done.
They still can’t give me an exact date. With Christmas coming up, I’m concerned it might have an impact on getting this done.
I suppose there are worse places to be stuck considering how much fun I had walking around Storyville and then meeting Greylin and Mayer. Those ladies are hilarious. You only need to spend a few minutes around them for it to be obvious that they’ve been best friends for a long time.
It reminded me of being around Hillary and Montana. That realization felt a little sharp in the middle of my chest, but the pain didn’t linger.
Then there is the sibling connection between Greylin and Elwood. The moment Elwood flirted with me and told me he could think of a way for me to make it up to him because I made him worry, Greylin doubled over and gagged.
Elwood rolled his eyes, and I barely stopped myself from giggling at their reaction. Instead of laughing, I wiggled my eyebrows at the man in front of me. “What did you have in mind?”
His eyes lit up. “How about a date?” His question was eager, and I wanted to say yes without even thinking about it.
“A date?” Greylin cut in, her voice incredulous. “I can’t even remember the last time you were interested in a woman. I didn’t know you dated,” she teased him.
“I haven’t been interested in anyone in a long time,” Elwood told her while keeping his eyes locked with mine.
Talk about swoon worthy.
“I don’t really have anything with me to wear on a date,” I tried to deflect his invitation.
And it’s not like I was telling a lie. I packed for comfort and casual destinations for my road trip. I had a few things that were okay for going out, just in case, but not a real date night look.
“I think I can help with that,” Mayer jumped into the conversation, her eyes raking over me. “We’re about the same size and I have some dresses that would look amazing on you.”
“I couldn’t,” I tried to insist.
Mayer wasn’t having it. She gripped my hand and gave a little squeeze like she knew I was about a second away from making a run for it. “You’d be doing me a favor, Hollyn. Instead ofworrying about the newest citation, which is complete crap, I can focus on finding you the perfect outfit for tonight. Really, it’s a win-win.”
As I looked between Mayer, Greylin, and Elwood to find them all with similar hopeful expressions on their faces, I couldn’t say no. I didn’t even want to. Still, I was nervous.
Because what I felt around Elwood is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. And it’s scary as hell.
I’m pulled out of my memories of earlier in the day as Elwood pulls out one of the chairs at a very pretty table set for two. It’s in a small alcove which makes it feel like it’s cut off from the rest of the restaurant. The lighting is cozy and romantic and the flowers on the table are simple but gorgeous.
I let out a small sigh as I sit down but it almost becomes a yelp of surprise when Elwood pushes me in. When I look up at him with wide eyes, he just winks as he sits down across from me. I barely register the hostess giving us menus and filling up our water glasses.
It seems the only thing I can see is Elwood.
What is it about this man? Sure, he’s a contradiction, one that makes me want to know even more about him, but there’s something else too. The way I’ve always felt like I had to protect myself melts away around him.
People have described me as prickly before or accused me of having a bad attitude, but that was just because I figured out early on that not everyone is worth my time and effort. I’m not going to apologize for not wanting to waste my time. It’s precious and has value.
I’ve been disappointed by friends and even family before. The only person I knew I could count on was Hillary. Even Montana had other priorities and responsibilities, which isn’t a complaint, just a fact. Hillary though, she never let me get away with being neutral about everything.
She knew when to push me and knew when to back off. My chest aches with just how much I miss her.
It’s a sharp feeling, but it doesn’t cut as deeply as it did before I landed in Storyville. I could get to the bottom of why that is, but I’m not ready. Not yet anyway.
While we’re eating, the conversation is light and covers a lot of our likes and dislikes. The restaurant is great and by the time we split a dessert, I’m ready for a little nap. Elwood smiles at me, his eyes going soft, as I rub a hand over my full belly.
“That was delicious,” I groan out, right on the edge of being too full.
