“That wasn’t what I asked.”
“No.”
The answer hurt coming out.
It looked like it hurt reaching her too.
“I didn’t have a plan,” I said. “I kept thinking there would be a better moment.”
“You were leaving tomorrow.”
“I know.”
Her expression tightened.
“Sorry. I remember the rule.”
It almost made her smile.
Almost.
She set the hose on the ground.
“I’m not ready to keep talking about us.”
My stomach dropped.
Ellie held my gaze.
“That doesn’t mean I’ll never be ready. It means we already had that conversation, and I can’t do it again while your phone is ringing and strangers are calling the shop.”
As if summoned, the phone inside Reef Rascal rang.
Hank answered.
“No.”
A pause.
“No concert.”
Another pause.
“No private snorkeling with Savannah Brooks.”
He hung up.
The phone rang again immediately.
Ellie looked toward the shop.
“Right now, I need to know what happens next.”
I glanced at my phone.
“Rachel wants me to leave.”
“I heard that part.”
