Elinor raises a brow. And in that one gesture she packs a whole lecture—or maybe it’s just my guilty conscience.And you’re thinking of changing it,her dark eyes seem to reprimand me.
The current plans wouldn’t change this beach—not much. We would only add a small structure to serve as a bathroom and changing room, plus storage for beach chairs and umbrellas. Would that be such a bad thing?
But it wouldn’t stop there. The changes to the resort would bring a different crowd. Fewer small children playing in the shallows. Fewer families. Fewer people from all backgrounds and walks of life. It would become a destination for the elite, the entitled, and the wealthy who already own most of the world. Do they really need this beach too?
“You know why people love Disneyland so much?” Elinor asks.
“Peer pressure?” I venture with a grin. She guffaws.
“No... people are paying for nostalgia, for familiarity. In an ever-changing world, it’s nice to go back to some place you went to as a child—a place where you were happy and innocent.”She shakes her head slightly. “People will pay a lot of money for that feeling.”
“Are you suggesting that if we improve this place, it will lose its magic?”
“Not at all. Disneyland is always making improvements—new rides, new foods. But they are careful to preserve the essence of the experience. That’s what I want for Norland Park. I want guests who came here as children to return with their own children and still feel that same magic.”
A sea breeze pulls another lock of her hair loose. Without thinking, I reach over and tuck it behind her ear.
“Like I do right now.”
“Do you, Mr. Frechette? Did anything I say get through to you at all?” she says, a trace of frustration in her voice.
Again, that lock of hair whips across her face, and I restore it behind her ear. My hand lingers there this time, resting on her cheek.
“You have no idea,” I say quietly. “In one day you have completely turned my world upside down.”
She looks up at me. Something shifts in her expression—small, unreadable. To be this close to her is everything, and for the first time this afternoon, she doesn’t step away.
My eyes dart to her lips, then back to her eyes, silently questioning. She gives the slightest nod, almost imperceptible, and I take it as permission. With my other hand I clasp her waist and pull her in close. Her eyelids flutter shut.
This is crazy and far too soon, but at the same time, it feels like I’ve been waiting my whole life for this moment—why didn’t I kiss her sooner?
The answer hits me as cold and unwanted as a rogue wave:Because I’m dating Caroline.
I hesitate. Caroline and I aren’t serious. I wouldn’t call her my girlfriend, and I doubt she considers me to be her boyfriend.We’ve been on a few casual dates and only kissed once. But still, I have a feeling Elinor would not like me kissing her before I officially end things with Caroline.
With monumental effort, and with every atom in my being screaming at me to do the opposite, I do not kiss Elinor Greenwood.
I am by no means assured of his regard for me. —Sense and Sensibility
15
Elinor
My eyes open. Edward’s pained face pulls away from me. He looks tortured. Heat creeps up my cheeks. Did I just encourage my new boss’s son to kiss me? I didn’t exactly make the first move, but I made it perfectly clear that Iwantedhim to kiss me. Did I imagine his interest?
No, his hand is still holding my waist.
He looks at me stricken.
“I’m sorry . . .” I begin.
“No—I’m the one who needs to apologize,” he says “I should have never—”
“But I shouldn’t have... I swear I wasn’t trying to seduce you.” I turn away. My disastrous word choice just made an uncomfortable situation mortifying.
“Of course not. The thought never crossed my mind. I just... can’t for so many reasons.”
“Yeah, I know . . . So many reasons . . .”
