Page 62 of Reunion With Benefits

“It’s all part of the same problem.” At least it was in Abby’s head. “He’s looking for reasons to go. I tie him here. Other things tie him here. But does he really want to be here? I just feel like he’s hiding things.”

Ellie made a humming sound. “Like you did when you withheld the details of this Berger guy’s threats.”

Okay...well...that was an annoying comparison. “It’s not the same thing.”

“Sure it is. It’s all about trust. Neither of you have moved past what happened before and forgiven each other.”

Abby got stuck on the “neither” part. “What did I do?”

“Oh, most of the blame goes to Spence and his father. But how much of a fight did you put up?” Ellie’s eyebrow lifted. “I’m betting you assumed Spence would leave, because your life is easier when you don’t connect with people all that much. Then he confirmed your worst fears. Rather than yelling at him like he deserved, you retreated.”

That was ridiculous...wasn’t it? “I don’t retreat.”

Ellie let out an annoying snort. A pretty loud one, too. “Do you love him?”

Abby didn’t stall or gloss over the question. She hit it head-on. “More than anything.”

It felt weird to say the words. To hear them out there. She did love him. Like, couldn’t-think-straight love him.

“Then let him in and insist he do the same with you.” Ellie smiled as if she’d solved all the world’s problems. “As an objective observer, neither of you is going anywhere.”

“I’m not.” Abby was hoping he wasn’t. Which meant only one thing. Ellie was right. “You sort of make some sense. Kind of.”

“That must have hurt to admit.”

Abby made a face. “A little.”

“Good.” When Abby started to say something, Ellie held up her hand. “I mean it’s good because the rest of the family is exhausted by the inability of both of you otherwise very smart people to figure this out.”

This was the lecture Abby never expected to hear, but it made her feel better. She’d been blaming him and waiting for him to step up. Maybe she needed to make it clear that she could take a step, too. “Nice delivery.”

Ellie’s demeanor changed. She grew serious as she reached out and grabbed Abby’s hand. “Trust him, Abby. Then maybe leave a little room to trust yourself.”

Abby realized that for a person who didn’t have many friends, she sure did pick the right ones. “Thanks.”

Ellie gave Abby’s hand another squeeze before she let go. “Before you do anything, do you think we can convince Jackson to get us some food?”

“It is one of his many skills.”

“Good man.”

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