I follow her lead and forget the conversation. Now I know what I’ll be spiraling over tonight.
“The special occasion is you being home,” I tell her with a smile. “Get whatever you want.”
“Are you sure you want to stick to that? That’s a dangerous game you’re playing.”
“I’m willing to take the chance. My wallet can handle it.”
“Oooooh, what if we eat in reverse?”
I arch a brow to her in question.
“You know, dessert, entrée, appetizer.”
“That’s just psychotic.” I put my menu down and splay my arm across the top of the booth, trying to relax my body.
I see Ellie’s eyes follow my movement, wondering if this is okay. She doesn’t say anything and instead makes herself more comfortable.
I feel her lean into me before saying, “Fine, if you don’t want to do that, can I at least get the cookie skillet after our meal?”
“Of course. I’m not going to deprive you of your sweets. I’m trying to make a good impression tonight.”
“Uh-huh.” She turns her body toward me again, leaning her elbow on the table and placing her fingers along her jawline. “Why are you trying to make a good impression tonight?”
“Because I’m trying to make you forget about your asshole ex-boyfriend. My job tonight is to remind you how youshouldbe treated daily. To remind you what you’re worth.”
She scoffs. “Rowan, you don’t need to do that.”
“You’re right. I know I don’t need to—Iwantto. There’s a difference.”
She puts her hand down on the table, one side of her lip tips up in a smirk, and she narrows her eyes toward me. “You are such a suck-up.”
I chuckle. “Nope, that’s me overcompensating for my daddy issues.”
“Hey,” she says sharply, holding my stare. “I thought you were working through all of that? Going to therapy and trying to move on?”
I bring my arm back down and onto my lap. I start to fidget with my fingers while I look down at them. Ellie’s hand covers mine, her way of making me stop. I look at her, and all I see is worry in her sparkling blue eyes.
“I’ve been going to therapy. I go every other week. We got to a point where we were talking about me seeing him.”
“What?”
“Hypothetically speaking, I’ve been wondering, if I were to see him, what would I say?”
Ellie nods. “Oh, okay. Can I ask what that would be?”
I shrug. “I guess I would just ask for his side of the story. I know Mom's side already.”
On my twenty-first birthday, I decided that I wanted to know more details about why he left. I wanted to stop feeling so empty, and maybe if I knew the story, I wouldn’t feel this pit in my stomach and wonder why every day.
My parents met when they were in elementary school. My dad's parents moved to Dove Point when he was nine years old. He was the new kid. One day, my mom spotted him in one of their classes and introduced herself. Because that’s the type of person my mom is: welcoming and friendly. Ever since then, they started to become friends. It wasn’t until they were sixteen that my dad asked her out on a date. He never thought he’d land a girl like Mom, but he didn’t want to regret not trying, from what she told me.
I feel Ellie’s hand squeeze mine as I’m pulled from my memories. I must have zoned out because the server came by again, asking us if we were ready to place our orders. Ellie took the lead, letting me deal with my thoughts.
“What would you like?” he asks.
“The bacon-wrapped asparagus, tomato burrata bruschetta, and zucchini fries, please,” she replies in a sweet tone.
My brows shoot up after she lists off the apps she wants. I forgot how much she loves to eat. She could win a pie-eating contest, the filling spread all over his face, and I’d still be head over heels for her.
