“I’ll tell you what,” I whispered as I leaned even closer. “For you, I'll sit up there. You can hit me with your best shot.”
She lifted her head, and her eyes finally met mine. The smirk twisting my lips faded as our eyes locked. Her chocolate brown orbs heated but were full of trepidation. Since the second I met her, I’d pushed too damn hard. The last thing I wanted was to make her afraid to be friends with me.
“Nick!” Jack rushed over to me. I jumped back from Ellie and swiveled my head. Control was a concept I needed to learn around her. People were starting to notice and comment on the extra attention I paid to both her and Jack.
“Aunt Kate, this is Nick.” Jack yanked the woman’s hand toward Ellie’s booth. I guessed she was Ellie’s sister since they were almost identical. Kate had longer hair and was a normal height while Ellie was more fun-size small.
“Well, it’s nice to finally match the face to the name I keep hearing.” Kate extended her hand to me. “Kate. Nice to meet you.”
I took her hand and shook it. “You, too.” I turned to Ellie’s tight smile. “I better get back to my rounds. See you later.” She nodded at me before I strode away.
“This is a nice event,” Kate noted from behind me. “Ellie asked me to come to walk around with Jack but . . .” She nodded at her nephew. Jack had already passed us to sprint to the other boys. I hoped his run-in with Aidan was behind him.
“Thanks.” I stopped and turned around. “As long as the guys have a nice time and we make enough to cover our activities this year, I’ll consider it a good day.”
“I feel like I’m meeting a celebrity. I’ve heard your name quite a bit.” Kate tapped her chin with her lips curved into a smile.
I laughed and shrugged. “Jack gives me too much credit.”
“Mmm,” Kate pursed her lips, “I wasn’t only talking about my nephew. ‘Nick’ has fallen from my sister’s lips, too. I heard about your little meeting at Evan’s wedding.”
My head jerked back. Before I could catch myself, my mouth dropped open.
Kate chuckled and held up her hand before I could answer. “My sister would kill me if I said anything to you, but if you want my advice . . . don’t give up.” Kate tapped my chest before chasing after Jack.
I raked my hands through my hair as I made my way around the gym. My head turned to Ellie’s laugh across the room, throaty for someone with such a squeaky voice, and sexy as hell. I never considered the possibility that maybe she had feelings for me, too. But even if that were the case, it didn't mean she would let me in. I had a long wait ahead of me for that to happen, if it ever would.
Four hours whizzed by. The dunk tank was disassembled and picked up, and all we had to do was clean and go home. Home to where my Blue Moon was chilled and waiting for me.
I wound up by Ellie—again. The day pulled me in a thousand directions, and this was the first free moment I’d had in hours. Funny how the second I had time to myself, I gravitated right back to her.
“Oh, hey!” Ellie smiled when she noticed me. I hoped the awkwardness from earlier would fade if I gave her a little space.
“I did pretty well today!” She chirped as she handed me a fat envelope. “They almost cleaned me out. First Scout event is a success.”
“I think so.” I couldn’t help but smile at her excitement.
“I have some yellow and blue sand and some bracelet holders left.” She looked over my shoulder and groaned. “Jack, no more funnel cakes. You’ll be sick!” She rubbed her eyes and shook her head. “Excuse me.”
I chuckled as she jogged across the gym. Traipsing over to her table, I picked up one of the little holders and filled it with the rest of the sand. I closed the lid tight and attached one of the strings, shaking it back and forth to make sure the sand didn’t leak.
“Sorry I took so long. I really hope I don’t have a puking kid tonight.” Ellie pointed to the bracelet in my hand. “What’s that?”
“I tried my hand at sand art. How did I do?” I dangled the bracelet over her hand.
“It’s good! Kinda looks like something Smurfette would wear.” A cute as hell smirk tipped her lips.
“You only had yellow and blue left. And anyway, I made it for you.”
Ellie narrowed her eyes. “For me?”
“Sure.” My voice dropped as I tied the string around her tiny wrist. “Friendship bracelet, of course.” A smile danced across my lips as I awaited her reaction.
“A Smurfette friendship bracelet?” Ellie pursed her lips but couldn’t hide the smile.
“Yes.” My eyes locked on hers as I tied a knot. “For the little spitfire I know not to mess with.”
Ellie laughed and focused her eyes on our hands.
