“I can be sad.” I was when I couldn’t tell him about Lola,but I don’t want us to dwell on it right now. “Just don’t be the one to do it,” I warn him.
“I don’t intend to be.” His tone is serious. “I was only trying to point out that you are mostly an upbeat person, and that’s what I remembered about you. You struck me that day on the island as someone who would always find a positive. Remember when you saw the waiter drop an entire pitcher of iced tea on somebody and you said at least they don’t need to worry about the heat anymore, or their ugly shirt.”
I laugh with a wide grin. “You remember that?”
“It’s the little things about you. Kind of hard to forget.”
Reflecting for a few seconds, I recall all the moments I remember. They’ve been living rent-free in my head.“You hate eating ice cream in cones, some weird phobia.”
“It’s not a phobia, per se. It’s more adults eating ice cream in a cone lacks sophistication unless?—”
“They use a spoon,”I finish his sentence.
“I’m sure you can agree if you think about it.” I stare at him blankly, and my arm gravitates to rest over his. “I also tried hard to forget the way you would talk, then suddenly be asleep. Your mouth twitched when your eyes closed.”
“You noticed? We only had a few short naps all night.”
“I did. It will forever be crazy that we were so close yet so far. I don’t even think we made it the full six degrees of separation, more like what, two?”
My eyes grow. “Some would say it’s fate. I just think it’s a dark joke on us.”
“Agreed.”
“We are accepting it, though, right? I’m trying not to dwell, but it hurts,” I admit.
He kisses my forehead gently. “I know. That’s why I think I might be a little grumpy at the office. It reminds me.”
I snort a laugh. “You, grumpy? Hmm, can’t say that I’veheard a rumor that you are scary, no-nonsense, wears nice suits, but stay out of his way if I’m involved. Like that, the rumor would just be crazy. It’s not like I would hear it by chance from a group congregating next to the coffee machine, eating somebody’s birthday chocolate chip cookies.”
His face contorts. “I need to work on it, don’t I?” I see a shade of pride in how people perceive him.
I shrug. “Maybe.”
He sighs. “Elodie, Elodie, Elodie… what am I going to do with you?”
“I’m not sure. But I see the special parent-fatigue spell taking over you.” We’re both tired.
He tries to cover his yawn. “If you won’t let me go down on you right now, then we should get some sleep.”He’s only half joking.
I chuckle until it simmers down, and I realize that I never answered him yesterday, and I can easily answer, too.
“Hayes.”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll go on that date with you.”I smile.
“Smart choice. Now come here.”He pulls me close, my cheek resting against his chest, and we both close our eyes to sleep in one another’s arms.
17
ELODIE
“The recruiter has some great offers, including Haven Crossroads." Sutton tosses her phone on the mattress and watches me fret over clothes. "They probably assume it's an easier transition since I'm moving back to the state.”
I peruse my earrings as I listen. “It could also be because you were promoted in the last two years. Working in legal isn’t easy. I would love it if you moved back, and even more if you worked at the same company as me. I think you want to, as well. Why else would you be out here for interviews?”
She presses her lips together and takes a tick to think. “True. I mean, it could be because of Olivia in HR and her influence,” she ponders. “Sorry this is a quick stop. I have to catch a flight back. Happy I could be of service, though. Nothing like watching your friend being a nervous wreck because some gorgeous man is taking her on a date.”
