“There have been some growing pains, but it’s hanging in there.” That last review was going even more viral than the first, and we had actually noticed a dip in our sales. It was stressful, and I felt like there was nothing I could do from this far away except worry. But wewerehanging in there.
“We have some friends who own a restaurant,” Mrs. Russo said. “It’s a lot of work. The first two years are make or break.”
“Yeah,” I said with a gulp. “They are.”
“Do you enjoy it?” he asked.
“I do.”
“That’s the important thing,” Mr. Russo said.
I raised my eyebrows at Elijah, hoping that just my expression would say,See, your dad thinks you should enjoy your work.
“We’re going to get some food,” Elijah said.
“Please do,” his mom said. “And thanks for coming, love. It means a lot to us.” She placed a hand on his cheek and kissed the other.
“Of course, Mom. Happy to be here.”
“You too,” she said to me with a warm smile. “Thank you for coming. I’m so glad to meet you.” She surprised me with a hug.
“Thank you. You too.” I hugged her back, a lump forming in my throat.
As we were walking toward the bar, Elijah grabbed my hand again. “I told you they’d love you.”
“They seem like the type who love everyone.” I hadn’t realized the lump was still in my throat, and my voice came out squeaky.
His brows shot down. “You okay?”
I swallowed and nodded. Did he know how lucky he was to have parents who said kind things and gave soft hugs and offered words of encouragement? “I am. I’m fine. Just need a drink.”
We joined a short line at the bar, and he wrapped an arm around my shoulder and pulled me against his side. How did I go from someone who tolerated physical contact to someone who craved it in just a few short weeks? What spell did this man have me under?
I put my hand against his chest. I could feel his heartbeating there, hard against my palm. “Do your parents put on a lot of these?” I asked.
“No, not really. Maybe one a year.” He lifted his hand in a wave. “There’s Michael and Tara.”
I shifted to follow his gaze. They were heading our way, Tara in a red, floor-length dress, Michael wearing a suit sans tie, like Elijah. I was beginning to feel a little underdressed.
“Oh my god,” Tara said when she reached us. “We had to walk from a block away. I thought they’d have a valet again this year.” She gave me a hug. “You look gorgeous.”
“You too,” I said.
“Is tonight the night Sutton has to pay the debts of her bet?” Michael asked. “I can pull the karaoke machine out of the storage room.”
My eyes went wide as I looked around the yard. “Absolutely not. I don’t really remember agreeing to that bet. It was just thrown out there. And even if I did, we still have one more session.”
He laughed. “Tara said you basically conceded.”
Of course Tara told him.
“We have one more session,” I said.
Elijah gave a throaty chuckle beside me as if he knew, like all of us did, that one more session wasn’t going to change anything. I may have known that, but there was no way I was doing karaoke in the middle of his parents’ charity dinner. I didn’t care what bet I did or didn’t make.
Why had I been so sure a therapist would know we were strangers? Maybe our chemistry had been undeniable from the start. Because we did have it—chemistry. It simmered there under the surface whenever he was around. I could feel it now,warming my insides as his hand brushed my arm, as his voice tickled my ear.
“Yes, Michael. We have one more session,” Elijah teased.
