Ella shrugs. “Yeah, not much different than Texas.”
I’d always hoped to see her in those nursing scrubs someday. Now, unless I find myself in the ER, my chances of making that dream come true are pretty dang slim.
Mom smiles. “How are your parents doing? They plan on staying in Texas?”
Ella’s face falters for just a second. “Yeah, they’re staying down there.”
“Will you go back to visit for Thanksgiving?” Mason asks.
Ella reaches for her drink and shakes her head. “Not this year.”
Not meeting anyone’s gaze, her body stiffens. Her short response and facial expression tells me there’s something going on between her and her parents.
No one else seems to pick up on it. I can read her though. Like the way her shoulders tense, her lack of eye contact, and the biggest giveaway, tucking her hair behind her ear. Which she just did.
Ella always idolized her parents, listened to and obeyed everything they said. If they told her to jump, she’d ask how high. I study her another moment, as if the explanation is going to be written across her forehead.
“How are they with you back here?” Dad asks, his tone casual.
Ella’s smile is quick but doesn’t reach her eyes. “They’re fine. Just … adjusting too.”
She’s trying to keep it light, but I can see right through it.
The conversations that carry through the rest of lunch move along fine. I’m distracted still, my mind swirling around with ideas. Trying to figure out what could be the reasoning for Ella’s discomfort surrounding her parents. Maybe they didn’t want her to move back? But why?
After we finish eating, everyone helps clear the table and moves to the living room. I’m on dish duty this week and Ella is standing beside me, drying each one after I rinse it. It was supposed to be Cody but she insisted. I’m not complaining.
After Mom gets the food put away, it’s just Ella and I left in the kitchen.
“I didn’t know you were coming today,” I tell her.
“I didn’t either.” She shrugs, a playful grin forming. “Addison said you told her to ask me.”
My expression blanks and I become defensive. “I didn’t—”
She cuts in with a laugh. “I knowyou didn’t.”
“I’ll talk to her later,” I mutter with a hint of agitation in my voice.
Handing Ella another dish, I catch a glimpse of Addie walking to the bathroom. I shake my head at her and watch her flash me a cheeky smile.
“She said you and Lexie didn’t work out?” Ella asks gently, catching me off guard. Good grief, how long did they talk this morning?
“Unfortunately.”
“Sorry to hear that,” she admits. I can’t help but wonder if she means it, though.
“It’s for the best.” I shrug. “We were pretty different.”
Ella just nods, and now the space between us feels a little awkward.
“Wanna go for a walk or something when we’re done with this?” I ask. I still have an unfulfilled feeling, a bit desperate to get more time with her. And I don’t want to feel like anyone’s listening or interrupting.
Her cheeks flush, but she agrees.
Ten minutes later we’re heading down the driveway. I don’t know where exactly I’m taking her but that’s the last thing I’m worried about.
She breaks the silence between us when we come up on the creek that weaves through our property.
