The table erupts with more laughter, but mine diminishes when I glance at Ella. Playing with the food on her plate, her laugh is not genuine, it’s forced. Waiting for her to look at me, she doesn’t. I reach under the table and brush my hand on herleg. She startles slightly and looks at me.
“You good?” I mouth.
She grins softly and nods.
The table conversation shifts to something else, but I’m distracted. My mind is racing trying to figure out what’s going on in hers.
When it comes time for her to leave, everyone gives her a hug, insisting she come back soon.
Walking her out to her car, the cold wind is blowing her hair into her face. It’s twenty-five degrees with a wind chill of about fifteen.
I point down at the empty pie dish in her hands. “See? It’s good you brought that pie in, told you they’d like it.”
She laughs with a shrug. “Yeah, I just wasn’t sure. I never made it before.”
As we reach her car, I wrap my arms around her and kiss her goodbye, trying to hold onto the moment as I’m not sure when I’ll see her next. When our lips meet, it feels different. She’s not giving the same intensity I’m putting into it.
I pull back. “What’s wrong?”
Her eyes dim. “Nothing.”
“Yes, there is.”
“There’s not.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah, why?”
“I don’t know, you got kinda quiet in there.”
“Well, talking about an ex in front of you and your whole family is a little awkward,” she points out.
I sigh. “I know, I’ll say something to Cody.” I shake my head. “ He shouldn’t have asked you.”
“No, it’s fine. You don’t need to say anything.”
“Well, I—”
“Jess, please? I was the one who opened my mouth in the first place. If I didn’t want questions, I shouldn’t have said anything.” She’s practically begging, desperation in her eyes.
“Fine, I won’t,” I still think there’s something she’s not telling me but I really don’t feel like it’s my place to push her for more information.
Her face looks relieved, and she stands up on her tiptoes to peck my cheek. “Thank you.” She smiles and gets in her car.
This unsaid title between us has me on edge. I want to call her my girlfriend, but I want to make sure she’s good with it before I let it slip.
I walk around the other side and sit down in the passenger seat. She looks at me, confused.
“I wanted to ask you, as far as dating and stuff goes … you wanna give it another shot?” I hold my breath.
“Finally,” she mutters.
I scoff out a laugh. “Excuse me? Finally? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“We’ve been in limbo for a month. What have you been waiting for?”
“I didn’t want to just assume you were interested.”
