Page 16 of Final Proposal

I roll my eyes but secretly like when he calls me that. “True. But think about it. This place has a great location. On the beach with what appears to be some privacy. If someone gave it some TLC, updated it a bit—”

“Gave it a restaurant. My God, you’re brilliant. Can you imagine how much money they could make tonight from all of us if they had one?” He pats his stomach. “I’m starving.”

“Agreed. I’d ditch the bar here and add a—”

“Nope. Keep the bar. The markup on alcohol is ridiculous and can help turn a profit when a restaurant is slow.”

“Good point,” I say.

He turns his head still on the back of the couch and opens his eyes to meet mine. They’re sleepy and his lids are heavy, but there’s an earnest intensity to them.

“What?” I ask.

“We’ve sat here and talked for hours, and yet you’ve never mentioned him.”

“Him?”

Ford’s eyes dart down to my hand where the diamond sparkles even in the dim light. “Him. I’m assuming the reason your phone has been going off all night.”

I glance at my ring, trying to figure out how to respond. “Maybe that’s why I took a road trip. Maybe . . .”

“Maybe it’s all part of the stuff?” he asks, and I meet his discerning gaze again. I expect to see judgment, even though I’ve done nothing wrong in befriending him, but there is the exact opposite. A quiet understanding laced with an unspoken curiosity.

I nod. “Lots of stuff.”

“Your secret’s safe with me, Elle.” He reaches out and pats my knee.

I blink back tears that shouldn’t be there in the first place and when I look back up, Ford’s eyes are closed once again. His hand is heavy on my leg as his chest begins to rise and fall in an even cadence. He’s drifted off.

I probably should do the same.

But sleep eludes me. I’m restless. My mind won’t stop.

“Your whole reasoning behind this road trip is asinine, Ellery. For God’s sake, when are you going to take this life, our relationship, seriously and end this wait? Let’s set a date already.”

I rest my head on the couch and watch the world rage on the outside while trying to calm the anger within. And while I try to figure out how to settle the discord Ford’s statement causes within.

Your secret’s safe with me, Elle.

Ford

I throw a forearm over my eyes to shield me from the sunlight.

Christ, it’s bright outside.

Why does my back ache?

Why are the trash trucks so fucking loud this morning?

Then it hits me. Where I am. Last night. The storm.

Ellery.

Why she’s my first thought when I open my eyes is beyond me, but when I look beside me, she’s not there.

Nor is her bag.

Or any goddamn trace of her other than a pile of pretzels beside a half-empty bowl.