“Nothing.”
She arched her brows. “Want to try that again?”
Eli sighed, sliding onto a stool.
“You really don’t know where Noah is?”
“Not a clue,” he admitted. “And he hasn’t texted this morning.”
“Oh.” Aileen tilted her head to one side. “And how do we feel about that?”
“We?”
“Yes,” she said, leaning both elbows on the table. “Because I am fully invested in your romantic well-being.”
Eli groaned. “I hate this town.”
“No you don’t,” she said sweetly. “You love us. And speaking of love?—”
His heart hammered. “Aileen.”
“What?” She widened her eyes. “I didn’t say anything.”
“You don’t have to. You’re thinking it so loudly it’s echoing off the walls.”
She dropped the pretense and leveled him with a look he remembered from childhood—theyou can’t hide from melook.
“You’ve moved way beyond liking him, haven’t you?” Her voice was soft.
Eli stared at the cinnamon roll, suddenly very interested in its swirl pattern.
“It’s… complicated,” he muttered.
“Oh please. You’re not complicated, you’re just emotionally constipated.”
He choked on a laugh. “Wow. Thank you for that diagnosis.”
“You’re welcome. Now answer the question.”
He took a breath. Then another. Finally, he sighed.
“Yeah. I passed liking him about a week ago.”
Her face softened instantly. “Hey, that’s okay.”
“I didn’t mean for it to happen,” he said, twisting his hands. “I didn’t come here for this. I came because you needed help. Because I needed a break. I didn’t expect…” He gestured vaguely. “Him.”
“I know.”
“He’s—” Eli swallowed. “He’s so warm. And funny. And kind. He makes everything better just by being there. And the other day, when he was skating with me, I—” He stopped, his chest tightening.
Aileen’s voice softened. “You fell a little.”
Eli huffed. “More than a little.” Maybe it was time to say the words out loud. “Okay. I… love him.”
“Aw, sweetie.” She reached across the counter and squeezed his hand. “I’ve known Noah my whole life. I’ve seen him get knocked down, get back up, then hold this town together when people didn’t even realize they needed it. But I haven’t seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you.”
Eli smiled. “Really?”
