Page 51 of Stumped

“Obviously.”

He clears his throat. “Thought you might be hanging out with folks from the conference.”

“Are you jealous, superstar?”

“Undoubtedly. How was it, though?”

“It started off rough, but I salvaged the day.” He chuckles as I tell him how I put those men in their place, answered more questions than I thought I would and how good it all feels.

“You’rethe superstar here, peaches.”

“Eh. I don’t like assholes who don’t do the work telling other people what to do. So, what did they say about playing time?”

Elias sighs and my heart clenches at the defeat in his voice. “They didn’t seem confident about it, so I’m not getting my hopes up.”

“No. Do not give up.”

He laughs and it relaxes my shoulders. “I’m not, but I’m also not getting ahead of myself. You know? Maybe when you get back we can renegotiate your deal?”

“And why would I do that?”

“Because I’m one step closer and I should be rewarded.”

I laugh, heart fluttering her way back to Chennai. “I’ll consider it.”

“Thanks. I’ll let you get back to dinner. See you tomorrow.”

“Night, superstar.”

“Good night, sweetheart,” he whispers and I tingle all over.

Mine, my heart screams.

I wakeup late the next morning, with enough time to eat and check out. So while I get ready, I order room service and a big helping of coffee. Halfway through eating my breakfast, I get a voice note from Elias. Even defeated and low, talking to him last night was comforting. So when I hit play on his message, the sound of his deep tone makes me quiver.

“Good morning, peaches. Sorry for the voice message, but I’m wearing gloves and can’t type. I’m at the practice ground, waiting my turn at the stumps. I asked the coach again about today’s match and he was noncommittal, but I’m not giving up. I promise. It’s easy to accept the end, youknow? Anyway, uh…can’t wait to see you tonight. Get home safe.”

I smile at the surety in his words. There’s a hint of something else, but I don’t have enough time to decipher it. Rushing through my packing and checking out, I climb into my car and start the three hour drive back to Chennai. While I love visiting Pondy, this trip wasn’t about pleasure. That’s something I can do another day.Maybe with Elias, my heart kindly suggests and I wave her off.

Despite all this internal chaos, I’m choosing not to analyse these feelings. It’s easier to ignore them a little longer, because the minute I accept them, I’m so fucking screwed. Allowing myself tobewith Elias isn’t the worst thing in the world, but I’ve been down this down road twice and it ended with me in pieces. It could be different,better, this time. But there’s no guarantee of that either.

When I reach my front door three hours later, a huge floral arrangement is sitting on my doormat. The tall glass vase is filled with every flower in the universe—roses, peonies, lilies, carnations, dahlias in every shade imaginable—and a card is tucked into the top. Opening the door, I carry the vase inside and set it on my table, then reach for the note.

And the flutter? A full-blown ripple that has me practically vibrating.

I’m glad I got to speak to you last night, but it made me miss you even more. Like the desert misses the rain. That was a really good song, nobody writes stuff like it anymore.

I didn’t know what kind of flowers you like, so I made sure to buy them all. Maybe you’ll find a favourite in this somewhere.

Thanks for always believing in me.

xo, E

I press the card to my chest and close my eyes. Becausethisis the kind of shit boyfriends do. Not fuck buddies or friends, even the ones without benefits. The only people who buy me flowers are Tamara and my brothers. I spend tons of money every year on arrangements for my mother and my girlfriends.

And if I’m being honest, it’s less about the flowers and more about the note.

Lilies are my favourite. But this is gorgeous and I feel spoiled, so thank you. Do you have a favourite? Asking for a “friend”.

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