Elle’s name is Elspeth.
Elspeth April.
Elle is Elspeth.
Elspeth.
The words Elle and Elspeth rotate through my head as Elle makes herself a plate and sits down at the table next to Lola, who is to my left.
She’s sitting on my side of the table.
I almost swallowed my tongue when she walked in. I knew she wouldn’t be going on a hike wearing business casual but I was not prepared to see Elle in leggings and a t-shirt.
It is completely sinful how the moisture wicking fabric hugs her thighs.
She’s in an oversized t-shirt that stops at the top of her quads, near her hips and I can only fantasize about how delicious her butt looks.
I can just imagine pulling her into my embrace, grabbing a cheek in each hand to keep her pressed against me, how it would spill out between my fingers because my hands aren’t big enough to hold all of her sinful curves.
Nope.
No.
Stop that thinking right now.
I could not get a boner in the home of the mother of my employer. I was already half mast and if yesterday was any indication, I could NOT afford to let it get any farther than that.
Stop being so flipping creepy!
I don’t dare to look at Elle.
I’m sure she’s more upset than she is letting on. I’m gutted that her full name was so unceremoniously announced for me and possibly Jude to hear. I know Jude has worked for the Farm for just around 10 years but this is something I can almost guarantee, based on Elle’s reaction on the day we met, she doesn’t share that information with anyone.
Learning her name is leaving an acidic taste in the back of my throat.
It’s bittersweet.
On one hand, I want to know any and every thing I can about Elle but she didn’t share this information with me. That option was taken from her and knowing it now, the feeling of wrongness twists something in my gut.
I lean into this feeling, my half-chub won’t survive knowing that Elle might be upset about something.
The rest of breakfast passes quickly and quietly. Mabel offers to do the dishes, Jude is quick to volunteer as well but Donna is having none of that, practically shoving the five of us out her front door, lamenting she can handle cleaning up by herself and how we need to hit the road so we can start up the mountain before it gets too warm. Jude stays back, offering to grab the cooler that holds our lunch.
The Warrens and I stand awkwardly for a moment. The original plan had been to take multiple vehicles as there were supposed to be a few more people joining us but now, it seemslike we are all unsure on how to proceed. I’m not surprised Lola is the one to offer the first suggestion and break the silence.
“I think we should still take two vehicles, at least.”
Mabel nods in agreement. “I think so too. I mean, I love most of you but I don’t want to be squashed like sardines before or after going up the mountain.”
“Perfect, what vehicles do we want to take? Two and the cooler in one vehicle and three in the other?” Lola asks, Elle and I nod our heads in agreement this time.
“Boys and girls, then? Great. LJ, we can take your car.” Elle declares.
She turns her back to the three of us and starts walking to Lola’s mid size.
“Well, I guess that’s that.” I almost jumped out of my skin, I was so focused on Elle that I didn’t notice Jude returned to our group. “Come on, new guy, I’ll drive.”
Chapter Fifteen
