Page 57 of When You Were Mine

Elzy watched him, giving no clue what she was thinking. But through a tiny crack in her façade, he saw a glimmer of softness.

Hope roared through him. And there wasn’t a damn thing he could do to contain it.

Because he saw it. The connection. It was still there.

It was just covered by a mound of hurt and anger that had hardened with every passing year.

That was on him.

So, he’d keep digging down to the heart of her. And he wouldn’t give up.

He’d die trying.

“That’s really nice.” Darby gave him a warm smile. She rubbed his thigh.

And just like that, Elzy stiffened. She turned her attention to the servers. “Ah. Great. The next course.”

Darby figured out her mistake and removed her hand, but it was too late.

The connection broke, and there was no restoring it.

Dammit.

Now, he had to wait for another opportunity. Preferably, time alone with her.

But the day after tomorrow, she’d leave for Snaefellsnes, and she didn’t need him or Darby to accompany her.

He was running out of time.

Chapter Nine

After the thirdand final tasting, they stood outside the restaurant.

The night was over. They’d be in the car with two other passengers, so Trevor would have to wait until they got back to the hotel to talk to her.

While her brother handed the valet his ticket, Darby huddled up with him. “It’s cold as balls out here. Why didn’t you wear a coat?”

Because he’d been preoccupied. “I wasn’t thinking.” His breath left his mouth in cloudy bursts, and his fingers were stiff.

“I’m sorry about touching you during dinner,” she said.

“I’m not sure it matters. As long as she thinks we’re engaged, I don’t have a chance with her.”

“She’s badass,” Darby said.

Throughout the tastings, Elzy had ignored him, talking about her ideas for the resort and the stores they’d visited earlier in the afternoon. She’d gushed to the chefs about their food, the ambiance of their restaurants, and the kinds of events she thought would be great when they opened.

She was brilliant and animated, and she captivated everyone.

Sitting across from her, he’d basked in her warmth. She was the sun, and he’d happily orbit around her for the rest of his life. He didn’t care what he did as long as he could be in her life.

“And pretty,” Darby said.

“She’s the most beautiful woman in the world.” Even as he watched Elzy and Chris waiting for their car, he could feel Darby studying him.

“Okay.” She pulled out her phone and muttered, “Don’t mess this up.” And then, she sucked in a dramatic breath. “Oh, my God.”

Her brother called, “What’s wrong?”

---