“I’m glad Eli will be with you. He seems like someone you can count on, and he’s got a good head on his shoulders. Like, he’s stable. He doesn’t seem to let things bother him.” She chuckled. “Unless you hurt your ankle. I’d never seen him so upset.”
“Yeah.” My chest bloomed with warmth. “He definitely cares about me.” But was there more? How deep did his feelings go?
Bumping my shoulder with hers, she said, “I think he’s in love with you.” Her eyes twinkled.
“No…” A smile crept across my lips, and I hung my head. “Not yet. We’ve only been back together for what—a month?” Had it been that long? Maybe a little less.
“So? Did you know when you date an ex you fall in love faster?” She poked my arm. “It’s true.”
Did that explain why my feelings came on so strongly for him this time? “What, did you Google that fact?” I snuck a peek at her.
“I did. When he looks at you, his entire face lights up.” She sighed, her gaze going far away. “I wish someone would look at me like that.”
I squirmed. But the nagging feeling still persisted at the back of my skull. I couldn’t trust him completely. “I still have a bit of a barrier up.”
She threw me a quick glare and then softened her gaze. “Wren, what the hell for?” She studied me. “If you’re not over the shit that happened in high school…” She tossed her hands in the air and dropped them. “Then I don’t know what’s wrong with you. Maybe you need therapy.”
“Stop.” I freed a quick snort. “I just need more time.” I sank into the back of my seat. But I loved him, didn’t I? Sleeping with him last night had been heaven. Plus, I missed him already.
“Sure, you keep telling yourself that.” She twisted her lips. “You love him too. I can also see it in your eyes when you look at him.” Her gaze swung to mine as she wagged her finger at me. “And don’t tell me you don’t.”
With a slow nod, I said, “Yeah, I think you’re right.” But I couldn’t tell Eli yet. I wanted the nagging shit in my head gone first. He deserved all of me.
As expected,Eli and I had been too busy to connect before the dinner with Dad. But as Wednesday evening neared, my apprehension regarding the dinner peaked. With my heart pounding in my ears, I drove to Eli’s home and parked. I’d be driving us and was supposed to text when I got here, but I needed a moment.
I left my car and strode up the driveway and to his door, being careful of my injured ankle, wrapped in a thin compression bandage for support. After knocking, I pulled the hem of my button-down shirt over my jeans. At least it wasn’t a million degrees today. The weather was finally cooling off.
The door opened, and Malik stood in the entryway. “Oh, Wren, come on in. Eli’s been pacing the house, waiting for you to get here.” He sniggered as he stepped aside.
“Thank you.” Was Eli as nervous about the dinner as I was? I walked into the house.
Eli jogged to me and grabbed my arms. “Wren, are you okay? Why didn’t you text me?” His gaze darted between my eyes.
“I-I don’t know. I guess I needed a moment to relax before wego up there.” My pulse slowed, just being in his presence. Thank God, he’d be with me.
“Oh, babe.” He wrapped me in one of his bear hugs, his warmth surrounding me, and kissed the side of my head. “I’m right here. I’ve got you.”
I buried my face in his neck and slumped against him. Grace had been right. I could count on him. I feltsafewith him.
“Do you want me to drive?” He pushed me away, holding me at arm’s length by my shoulders.
“You know? That might help.” I nodded slowly. I’d let him take care of me, like he did last weekend.
“Sure. I’ll get my keys.” He turned.
Malik walked up next to him, dangling a set of keys. “Already got them. You two take care. No matter what happens, Wren, Eli will have your back.” He dropped the keys into Eli’s outstretched palm.
“Thanks, man.” I forced my best grin at him. It was time to get this dinner over with.
Eli drovehis truck onto a circular drive in front of a sprawling stucco mansion in the Mediterranean style, so typical of the homes in this area. A tall turret marked the front entrance.
“Goddamn, this is a nice place. Your dad must have gotten a fortune selling his house in California.” Eli parked the truck and shut the engine off.
My gaze roamed the carefully placed cactus and desert plants in the landscaping rock, all laid out as if it were natural, but orderly. “Yeah, I don’t know if he sold it or rented it.” Did it matter? Dad had a new wife and child to support now, and it appeared he was proving more competent at it than when I’d been younger.
“How are you doing?” Eli glanced at his dash. “We’re fiveminutes late, but you take your time.” He grabbed my hand and kissed my knuckles.
“Let’s get this done.” As I choked on a huff, I climbed out of the truck and strode to the massive, carved wooden door with Eli beside me. I pushed the doorbell, and ringing sounded from behind the door.
