At my name, she acknowledged me. I could tell she was sizing me up. As much as every fiber in my being told me to glance away, I held firm, not giving her the satisfaction.
“I see. Well, if you have time, a bunch of us will be there tonight. Maybe more than one of us could have fun.”
“I won’t, but thanks.” He went back to his drink, all but dismissing her.
As he turned her gaze soured and got even meaner when she looked at me. But she turned and left, heading back where she came.
“Cold, El,” Samuel said, looking as if he wished he had a bowl of popcorn.
He cocked his head in confusion. “What do you mean?”
“I mean she thought she could rekindle old times and you barely recognized her.”
My teeth clenched. Rachel bumped Samuel, telling him to stop, probably on my behalf. But it didn’t matter.
“I’m going to throw my cup away,” I said, standing quickly and making my way to the garbage. When I threw it away, I kept walking a bit until I got around the wall of the rink where the locker rooms were.
This was ridiculous. I was jealous of myfakeboyfriend. And even if I was developing feelings for him, he shouldn’t have to justify his past to me. Under the circumstances we met in, it would make sense that this was something he did.
I just couldn’t help comparing myself to every one of those women. I wasn’t normally down on myself, I was happy with my appearance. But I didn’t look likethat.And if that was his normal type, how would I ever measure up?
“Hey,” Ellery said, coming around the corner. “Are you okay?”
I pulled together a comfortable smile. “Yeah, why wouldn’t I be?”
He shrugged. “I probably wouldn’t be happy if some guy came and talked to you like that.”
“You wouldn’t?”
He shook his head. “With how impulsive I am, I probably would have hit him.”
I knocked his shoulder. “You wouldn’t have.”
Ellery got closer to me now, pressing me towards the wall and putting his hands on either side of my head.
“I would have.” His eyes told me he was serious. “You’re my girl. My pretty moon. And I don’t want to see other guys hanging around you.”
I swallowed, my heart pounding. “Like the ski instructor?”
“Like instructor Ken,” he confirmed.
“He didn’t look like Ken,” I said.
“The only thing he was missing was the box.”
I giggled. Hedidkind of look like Ken. But I didn’t want Ken. I wanted Ellery.
Pushing slightly off the wall I leaned in and brought my lips to his. Ellery’s hands fell to my body, going to my hips and pulling me closer. He tasted of chocolate and mint from his toothpaste this morning.
“We should go back,” I said when he pulled away.
“I need a minute,” he said.
I was about to ask what he meant when I felt his hard length pressed to my hip. “I see that.” I ran my hand over it.
“You’re not helping,” he said.
I leaned in close. “Would you like me to?”
