Page 103 of Eleanor & Grey

“Yeah, I guess so.”

I held out my pinky toward him. “Pinky promise?”

He linked his pinky with mine. I tried to ignore the butterflies that began to stir in my stomach, because those butterflies had no right to even exist.

When it came time for me to leave, I stood up and walked to the front door. The night sky was deep blue and drunk with stars. Greyson walked me out to the porch with his hands in his pockets.

“Thank you for staying,” he said.

“Of course. I hope you’ll be okay.”

He nodded once. “I’ll see you on Monday.”

“Does that mean I still have a job?” I asked, somewhat joking based on my new wingwoman position.

“If you’re still willing to work for me, that is.”

I smiled. “I’ll see you on Monday, Greyson.”

“Ellie…” He brushed his finger against his chin and shrugged a bit. “You can call me Grey.”

40

Greyson

“Oh, my gosh, is that a pony?!” a voice that sounded shockingly like Lorelai’s hollered as I sat in my office Saturday afternoon, though I was certain I was mishearing things because the girls were still at their grandparents’ house until Sunday.

“OH MY GOSH IT’S A PONY!”

I sat up straight in my chair. That was definitely Lorelai’s voice.

I walked out of my office and headed straight toward the noise that seemed to be coming from my back yard. The closer I got, the louder the racket was becoming. It wasn’t just Lorelai’s voice that was heard—it was everyone’s.

And by everyone, I meant everyone.

The yard was completely decked out. Pink and gold helium balloons were tied to trees. Two barbecue grills were fired up and I saw Landon and Jack were there flipping burgers.

Friends I hadn’t seen in months were in the backyard with their children, playing games, laughing, and having a great time.

“What in the world…” I opened the door, and everyone probably saw the shock on my face as they noticed me.

“Daddy! Daddy! Look! A ponyyyyy!” Lorelai shouted as she rode on its.

There was an actual pony in my backyard.

My mind was spinning faster than ever. When I looked to my left, I saw Eleanor, who was smiling ear to ear. She came skipping over to me with a birthday hat in her hand and she placed it on top of my head. “Great party, Grey,” she told me. “It’s the best kid’s party I’ve ever been to.”

My heart caught in my chest as I took a deep breath. “You did this? For Lorelai?”

She shook her head. “Not just for her. I did it for you. We did it for you,” she said, gesturing to every person I’d ever cared for.

They were all there. Even though I had ignored them for months. Even though their calls always went to voicemail. Even though I’d pushed them away. They had still shown up for me.

They didn’t have a clue how much that meant.

Eleanor didn’t have a clue what she’d done.

“Thank you,” I choked out.

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