“Millie didn't wait,” she adds lightly, “but she made sure to leave ye the biggest slice. That child is quite taken with ye.”
I accept the cake, blinking hard as emotion fogs my vision. I don't blame her, cake is the best.
“Also, that mother of yours is a very difficult woman, to put it kindly. If ye ever need space or peace, there's a spare room here. No questions asked.”
A sudden burst of noise rises from downstairs—laughter, shouting, then the unmistakable crash of something meeting its untimely end.
Moira exhales sharply, already gearing up to bash some heads together by the looks of it. “I’d best go see what those eejits are at now. Grown men or not, a bit of sugar and they're worse than children.”
She gives my cheek a fond pat as she passes. “Come down whenever you're ready, love.”
I remain where I am, turning once more to the wall of photographs. All of them were taken by him.
Elijah Reed Lawson.
The man I used to hate.
We park up outside the house, the engine ticking softly as it cools. I’d been quiet the whole drive back, wrapped up in my own thoughts. River is staying the night with his grandparents,and Rose… Well, she's not here again. I don't understand why she just won't move out when she's barely around as it is.
Under different circumstances, I’d be all over Elijah, dragging him inside and taking advantage of the opportunity of an empty house. But instead, I feel a little unmoored.
Today was beautiful. His family welcomed me without hesitation, like I belonged there. Somehow, that warmth only made me miss my dad more. Still, there's pride sitting right next to the ache I feel. I did something today I thought I’d completely given up years ago, back when I was juggling jobs and spending every spare moment taking care of my dad.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
Elijah’s turned in his seat, relaxed as ever, elbow propped on the wheel. His hand drifts down my arm, and my skin prickles.
“It's a bit of a mess up here,” I say, forcing a small smile as I tap my temple. “Might take more than a penny to untangle it.”
“We've got time. You've been quiet. Did today… overwhelm you?”
“No—no, it was perfect,” I rushed out, brushing my hair back nervously. “Your family… they're amazing.”
He waits for me to continue.
“I’m just an overthinker.”
His hand slides over mine, and just like that, the tension in my shoulders eases. “If your brain's too full, talking might help. I’m a good listener, promise.”
I take my bottom lip between my teeth. “Okay, this is dumb, but the first thing that popped into my head—I think you're beautiful.”
Cue immediate mortification. I groan and bury my face in my hands. “Not like ‘pretty girl’ beautiful. I mean, I just really like your face.” Oh my god. “Totally ignore me, please.”
Elijah chuckles and pulls my hands down. “Ignore you? Naah, I like hearing how pretty you think I am. Especially since I happen to think you're gorgeous too.”
“I don't need to keep feeding that ego of yours,” I chortle, nudging him with a smirk
“Too late. Just knowing you want this old man? That's all it needs.”
I shift in my seat. “Good thing for you, I like older guys.”
“Even better for you,” he replies, leaning just a fraction closer, “that I like bratty girls.”
I stick my tongue out, and his face lights up, half of it bathed in the soft glow of the lamppost. Shadow and light play across his features, and for a second, I forget that this thing between us is wrong.
Reaching for my phone, spinning it slowly in my hand. “When I left the studio today, I was buzzing. Excited. Proud of myself for signing up, and usually, when I have good news, I call my dad.”
Elijah watches me quietly, his expression soft but curious.
