Page 64 of All I Need

After we check in to the hotel, Grayson decides to take a quick shower before we head out to walk around Chicago a bit until game time. I take the time to check in with Ellie while he’s not watching me, able to tease me about the girl I like more than I probably should.

Me: We’re all checked in at the hotel.

Her reply comes almost instantly.

Ellie: How was your drive? Did Grayson make you stop for food every couple of hours?

I chuckle, she already knows us so well.

Me: I was smart and packed a cooler.

Ellie: That is smart. What are you doing now?

Me: Missing you.

I stare at the words and decide against hitting Send. I’m jumping ahead of myself where Ellie is concerned and need to respect the time and space she needs to heal.

Instead, I reply with the truth. Boring, but true.

Me: Just waiting for Grayson to get out of the shower. Then we’re going to walk around a bit before the game.

Ellie: Sounds fun. I’ve never been to Chicago. Take lots of pictures for me.

Me: What? You’ve never been to Chicago? We’ll have to fix that.

This time I do hit send.

Ellie: I’d like that. **three smiley face emojis**

Three smiley faces. That’s gotta be a good sign.

Me: Where else do you want to go?

Ellie: I don’t know. I’ve not really been anywhere.

Me: If you had to pick one place.

Ellie: Somewhere secluded. Maybe by water, I guess. It sounds relaxing but I don’t really like people.

I laugh out loud at her honesty.

Me: It’s a good thing you work with animals then, huh?

Ellie: Guess so.

Me: Tell me something else.

Ellie: Like what?

Me: What did you get a degree in?

Ellie: English. I always liked writing. I worked for a small company editing novels for several years.

I can see her doing that. She loves reading and she just admitted to not enjoying being around people

Me: Why’d you quit?

Ellie: I had made a stupid decision.

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