In the back of my mind, I know it would be the gentleman’s thing to do to step back and give her some space.
But I’m not a damn gentleman.
Never have been.
“Do you miss her?” Ellyn asks, as we stare into one another’s eyes.
“Every day,” I answer honestly. “Do you miss your ex?”
“No.” Her answer comes fast and unyielding.
My gaze drops to her lips. I wonder if they feel as soft as they look. Right when I’ve made the decision to taste them for myself, my phone alarm goes off.
I grunt out a curse before taking a step back to retrieve my phone from the table. “That’s my alarm,” I tell her, though she’s probably figured that out already.
“Do you need to go?”
I gesture toward the door that leads inside of my house. “Just inside. Lena’s show starts soon. She’s doing a Christmas show.”
“Lena?” She frowns before her eyebrows raise. “Oh, right. Lena Clarke. She’s your daughter-in-law. I love her music.”
“Watch it with me.” I take Ellyn’s hand into mine before she has the chance to say yes or no. “Have you eaten dinner?”
“Meghan and I had an early dinner before she left for the airport, but …” She trails off.
“Good. I’ve got tons of leftovers. And I don’t like to toot my own horn …” I pause. “That’s a lie. I love tooting my own horn. I’m a hell of a cook.”
Ellyn sighs and grins. “Well, I mean if I must … I could be convinced to eat something,” she answers, voice exaggeratedly exasperated.
I tighten my hand, realizing that I’m still holding hers.
This feels a lot like a date all of a sudden.
CHAPTER 12
Ellyn
It’s only been a few months since my last date, but this feels awfully like one.
Those are my thoughts when Joel places a full plate of home-cooked macaroni and cheese, turkey and gravy, collard greens and ham on the TV table in front of me. Oh, and I can’t forget the buttermilk biscuit.
“Did you really prepare all of this yourself?” I ask, eyeing the food. It looks delicious and my mouth starts watering just from looking at it.
“Not all of it,” he replies, taking a seat next to me on the dark grey couch.
Joel’s living room is extremely spacious. Unlike mine, there’s a wall that separates the kitchen and dining areas from the living room. Before us sits a fifty-inch flatscreen, mounted on the wall, above a brick fireplace.
“Micah did the collard greens. If you don’t like those, take it up with him.”
I chuckle before tasting the macaroni and cheese. The creamy, savory flavor explodes in my mouth.
“I suppose that means you approve.”
I glance over to see Joel watching me. While his expression remains neutral, the gleam in his eyes hints at the idea that he’s actually awaiting my approval.
“This is spectacular,” I say honestly.
He dips his head, glancing away, but I don’t miss the way his lips curl into a grin before he takes a bite of his food.
