I mime zipping my lips shut just like I did to Niko lastnight, and his blue eyes flash through my mind. I still can’t believe he accepted my help. That man is more stubborn than a mule.
After Ellie finishes wiping up the coffee she shot everywhere, she dives back into her explanation on her gossipy hockey players.
“To answer your question, no. Niko does not gossip. But his best friend, Connor? Well, let’s just say sometimes it’s the quiet ones we have to worry about.”
The thought of Connor talking to anyone, let alone gossiping, has my head spinning. “What a savage.”
“Yep.” Ellie pops thepat the end of the word and starts tapping her nails against the countertop. She’s looking everywhere but at me, so naturally I lean over and snap my fingers in her face.
“Hey. What’s going on here?” I circle her face and then point to her still-tapping nails. “What has you all fidgety? That’s my thing.”
Ellie takes a deep breath and finally makes eye contact. Her nails are still nervously tapping, but I do my best to ignore them and hold her gaze. “Do you remember when I got this apartment? I was super bummed they only did short-term leases?”
“Yeah…” Unsure of where she’s going with this, I wait for her to elaborate.
“Well, they only had a six-month lease available at the time. I was able to extend my lease by a month when I talked to them last month explaining I wasn’t sure if I wanted to renew another six-month contract.”
Her voice trails off, and it hits me. I’ve overheard her and Lincoln talking about moving into his house together. I’m pretty sure they never noticed me eavesdropping, and by the guilty look on Ellie’s face, it’s clear she thinks she’s blindsiding me with this.
“You’re moving in with Lincoln.”
Now it’s Ellie’s turn to be shocked and try to catch flies, because her jaw drops at record speed. “How the hell didyouknowthat?”
I move to the spot next to her and lean against the counter. She’s still watching me, waiting for an explanation.
“I overheard you and Lincoln talking. You told him you couldn’t leave your best friend. And while I appreciate you putting our friendship first, I’ll be okay, Ellie. I just kind of wish you gave me a little more notice.”
Ellie closes her eyes, taking a moment to collect herself. “I know. I’m an asshole. As much as I want to move in with Lincoln, I don’t want to lose this.” She gestures her hand between the two of us. “I don’t want to lose you.”
I grab her hand and cover it with my other one, waiting until she’s looking at me. “Ellie. We’ve had this talk before. You’re a total badass who deserves everything in life. That includes starting a life with the man you love. Just because you’re starting a new chapter with him, doesn’t mean I’m going anywhere. You can’t get rid of me that easily.”
We both laugh at my comment, but it’s true. She’s stuck with me for life.
She pulls her hand away from me, wiping under her eyes, trying to hide the evidence that she is a human with real emotions.
“The landlord said we can rent this month-to-month but I know how steep the rent payment is. I can still pay my half until you find a new place.”
The thought of Ellie paying money for a place she no longer lives in doesn’t sit right with me. But she’s right, there’s no way I can afford this place on my own. I hate asking her to do that, but I don’t think I have any other choice.
My phone chimes on my counter with an incoming text from Hunter but my eyes bulge at the time.
“Oh shit! I’m going to be late to meet Niko and Sophia. I’m sorry, Ellie. Can we talk more about this later? I don’twant to show up late on my first day. I’m still good to borrow your car, right?”
“Yep.” Ellie’s expression immediately shifts into something more on brand for her. It’s a mix betweenYou’re so screwedandI’m so excited to watch it all happen.I ignore her devil look and grab my cross-body bag and the gift I got for Sophia from the kitchen table.
“Talk later?” I throw over my shoulder.
She waves me off. “Of course. You go hang out with Cap Daddy and Sophia.”
The nickname has me turning slowly back toward Ellie. “What the fuck did you just call him?”
Ellie strides out of the kitchen into the hallway and if I didn’t know any better, I swear I hear her mumble to herself, “This is going to be so much fun.”
Even though I may have driven a couple miles over the speed limit on my way here, my watch shows 9:02 as I knock on Niko’s front door.Damn it.I can’t believe I’m late.
I’m trying to catch my breath after sprinting from my car just as the door opens. Sophia’s hazel eyes light up the moment they land on me.
“Miss Sadie, you’re here!”
