“My office manager is on vacation this week.” Evan rose from his chair and dropped a folder full of papers on Ellie’s desk. “Since I despise paperwork, Ellie is nice enough to do the billing when Jessica isn’t here. For which I am eternally grateful.” Evan placed both hands over his heart and grinned at Ellie.
“Yeah, yeah. Just give me the billing.” Ellie grabbed the folder and started punching keys. Her eyes found mine, then darted away, then went back again. I let out a sad chuckle and shook my head. It was a fight to hold myself back from crossing the room and planting a proper hello kiss right on her mouth. That soft, warm mouth I couldn’t get out of my head. Judging by the way she was squirming under my stare, maybe she wanted that, too.
“I could use some water. Excuse me.” Ellie stood from her chair and walked into the back.
My grandmother’s eyes narrowed at Ellie’s hasty stroll to the back room. She turned back to Evan, moving her finger back and forth between me and where Ellie was sitting. “¿Que pasa?”
“Good question.” Evan nodded as he leaned back in his chair. “Maybe you can answer that, Papito?” His mouth twisted in a smirk.
“Excuse me a minute.” I stalked to the back room where Ellie was headed. It was obvious what I was doing, but after a couple of months of this back and forth, I didn’t care who knew how I felt about her. The only one who didn’t seem to know was Ellie. Or maybe she did, and she wanted to keep denying it. I thought I’d gotten through a bit at her house last week, but all I did was create more distance between us.
She had her back to me as she chugged down a glass of water. After setting it down, she held onto the edge of the counter and took in a quick breath.
“So, you’re back to ignoring me . . .”
Ellie jumped at the sound of my voice and turned around. “I'm not ignoring you.”
“Sure, you’re not.” I snickered as I came closer. “You saw me here and looked like you wanted to jump out the window. My presence irritates you that much?”
“No, of course not.” Ellie let out a long sigh. “You wouldn’t understand—”
“Then why don’t you try me? You’re scared. Maybe you want me, but I don’t fit into your lonely little world. We’d be amazing together, but you just won’t give us a chance.”
Ellie raked her fingers through her hair as she turned away from me. I grabbed her by the arm, spun her around, and kissed her. Hard. She stiffened at first and then melted into my arms. Those lips, that body.Jesus.She owned my thoughts to the point of obsession. Dealing with Ellie was like deer hunting. I couldn’t make any sudden moves or come on too strong for fear I would spook her and she’d run. I was done running.
And she needed to be, too.
I took her face in my hands and rubbed my thumbs back and forth over her cheeks as I kept my lips on hers. She let out a whimper as I pulled away.
“Next move is yours,” I whispered before heading back toward Evan’s office.
“Order is done. Everything . . . go all right?” He nodded to the back with his chin.
“Yeah, let’s get going, Abuela. Thanks, Evan.” I left without giving Ellie a second glance. I wanted her the right way—out together, touching and kissing her without worrying she’d scurry away. I’d promised to be patient, but my resolve was wearing thin.
We made our way to the car in silence. I helped my grandmother in, slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine, all the while careful not to look her way. She always saw right through me. I was about to drive off when she put her hand on my shoulder.
“Let me say two things, and then I’ll shut up.” I was skeptical but nodded anyway.
“She’s a widow, Evan told me. Being with someone new scares her. I can tell she likes you, but you terrify her.”
I rolled my eyes and chuckled. “You saw that in five minutes?”
She responded with a slow nod. “She couldn’t take her eyes off you but couldn’t be near you. I’m old; I pick up more than most. So, you’re going to have to have patience.” There was that word again.Patience.Mine was hanging on by a fraying thread.
“The other thing and you’re gonna get mad at me. She has a little boy, like Maddie did.”
My head jerked in her direction. “You think I’m trying to . . . replace Maddie? No. Maddie didn’t love me. Not enough to come with me like she said she would. I made peace with that.”
She sighed. “You loved her, and you loved that little boy. I don’t want you to get hurt trying to get back the family you wanted but lost.”
“I know, and it’s not that. I want Ellie for Ellie, not as a replacement for anyone.”
She held her hand up and sat back. “Okay, then. But, like I said,” her brows raised as she pointed a finger at me, “patience.”
Too bad I was officially fresh out.
“DID YOU PACKmy tablet, Mommy?” Jack asked as he strapped himself into the backseat.
