His mouth cascades down my face, and his lips brush along mine, taunting me. Just when I think he is about to kiss me, he steps back and abandons me. The swelter I just experienced from him eases.
“It’s good that you and Lola are here. I’ll be back on Friday. You have already made this place your home, even if you don’t realize it.” He’s serious. “You should begin to think about that a little more.” He tucks a tendril of my hair behind my ear, his thumb brushing my skin. “Use this week to do that.” He begins to head back in Lola’s direction.
I open my mouth to speak, but words have run dry.
Probably because deep down, I think he might be right.
22
ELODIE
The week has been moving fast, and I’m not sure if my feeling rested is due to the world’s most comfortable bed or simply feeling at peace with where I’m currently living.Either way, I’ll take this mood and feeling.
Lola gives me a cute little wave when I begin to leave the daycare, and I’m confident as always that she’ll have a great day. Life is easy when clay, crustless sandwiches, and playing with other kids are involved. It’s me who is tasked with taking on serious matters.
I opt to grab a quick coffee from Beans, and I’m busy buried in my phone scrolling the latest news when I feel the presence of a man in a sharp suit.
“Morning, Elodie,” Julian greets me.
I offer him a polite smile. “Most people here would be concerned that the CEO is talking to them in the line at Beans when all he has to do is snap his fingers and people will part ways so you can skip the line.”
He cracks a grin. “Most people don’t have their fiancée’sbest friend working at their company. And speaking of which, their best friend’s girlfriend, too.”
Raising my brows, the lines on my mouth are in a thin line due to a smile. “Is that my title now?”Hayes and I skipped the discussion on titles. We are by far more than just two people who date casually. Our connection will forever be stronger. But I like to hear someone else calling me Hayes’s girlfriend. “Didn’t realize I’ve been promoted.”We begin to move with the current of the line toward the register.
“I’m not sure what your label is, but I love adding confusion to people’s relationships if it means it gets them to think.”
I pretend to peruse the menu that I learned by heart years ago. “What is it that I might be thinking about?”
“Look, Hayes is a good guy. His intentions are always pure in everything he does on this earth, even if he can be stubborn and impossible. Just keep that in mind.”
Jutting my chin out, I’m both listening but taken aback that he is bringing this up in line for coffee.
“Has Savannah been talking to you?” I wonder.
“Nope.”
“Hayes?”
“Nope.”
“So, you just thought you would casually highlight Hayes’s characteristics before my caffeine hit.”
His suave grin appears. “Yep. It’s a friend duty he doesn’t realize I’ve taken on, and Foster works too closely with you to cheer you two on in your weekly meeting.”
Taking a deep break, I look around and note that nobody is taking notice of us. “Since we’re on this topic, anything else you wish to add?” It’s not to humor me, I’m genuinely curious.
“He’s loyal and devoted. Keep that in mind when it comesto responsibility. You never have to worry that will go haywire, no matter what path you two take.” Damn, he just slipped in that subtle hint about my situation should Hayes and I fail. The translation is simple either way: the family part of our equation will be okay.
I do my best to show no emotion. Julian doesn’t need to know that he just sent my thoughts into a tailspin. “Thanks for the insight.”
We’re almost at the register and he checks his watch. “Listen, sometimes someone else needs to remind you of what is right in front of you.”
“I’m sure that pre-Savannah this 100% isn’t the conversation we would be having.”
“Fuck no,” he agrees. “Instead, the roles were reversed, so I’m repaying the favor as an outside observer.”
True. Somehow, I ended up helping him see reason in his pursuit of Savannah.
