Page 68 of Racing Hearts

Ellie squeezed Sierra’s hand back. “You have told me… about a million times,” she teased. “But I like it, because I’m super excited too.”

After traveling down a bunch of back roads, the cottage finally came into view. It looked just as cute in person as it didin the pictures, which made Ellie even more excited about their stay.

She pulled into the driveway and opened her trunk so they could get out their overnight bags and the groceries they had picked up on the way. Even though neither of them could cook anything fancy (or really, anything at all), they decided they would rather stay in and eat microwave pizza and ramen noodles than go out to a restaurant. This week was about having time together with just the two of them, and they planned to take full advantage of that.

After typing in the code to get into the house, Ellie opened the door and motioned for Sierra to walk in before her.

“Wow,” Sierra whispered as she looked around. “It really is like the pictures.” She looked back at Ellie and grabbed her hand. “Rustic and romantic. I love it.”

“I love…”Now is not the time.“It too.”

After exploring the small house and putting their bags in the bedroom, they went into the kitchen to make something to eat for dinner. Two microwaved pizzas later, they were sitting on the couch, snuggled close together, and watching a movie.

“I know it’s pretty cold outside, but after the movie, how would you feel about bundling up, grabbing a bunch of blankets, and watching the stars?” Ellie asked.

Instead of answering right away, Sierra rested a hand on Ellie’s cheek and kissed her softly. She pulled away just enough that Ellie was able to see the extra sparkle in your eyes. “Sometimes it doesn’t feel like you’re real,” Sierra told her, an awe to her tone that made it clear she was telling the truth. “Where did you come from, Eleanor Patricia Finch?”

Ellie poked Sierra in the side. “I thought I told you never to speak that name out loud again.”

Sierra yelped and wiggled away from Ellie, a laugh escaping her throat as she did. “What do you prefer? Ellie Patty?”

Ew.Ellie made a gagging motion with her hand. “That’s even worse. I didn’t know that was possible.”

Sierra crossed her arms and smiled proudly. “You’re welcome.”

Ellie pounced on Sierra and began to tickle her sides. Sierra tried to get away, but Ellie had her pinned down so she couldn’t. “Take it back.”

“Take what back?” Sierra asked between giggles.

“Promise to never call me Ellie Patty ever again.”

“I can’t.” More giggles.

“Promise to never call me Ellie Patty again, or I’ll withhold kisses for the rest of the trip.”

Sierra put her hands in the air as though she were surrendering. “Okay. You win. I won’t call you Ellie Patty.”

Ellie laughed before leaning in to give Sierra a kiss.This girl is crazy if she thinks I could go an hour without kissing her, let alone a few days.“I can’t believe you actually fell for that.”

“Fell for what?” Sierra tilted her head as she asked the question, but quickly stole another kiss from Ellie as if she actually believed they could be kept from her.

“Me lying about withholding kisses. I could never.”

“I know.” Sierra smirked in a way that made it appear like she was trying to hold in laughter. “Ellie Patty.”

After the movie ended, Sierra and Ellie went to their room to christen the bed, and after working up an appetite, they made themselves more food. After being completely satisfied in more than one way, they grabbed blankets and headed out to their yard that overlooked the lake. They made it out before the sun had completely set, so they were able to watch it setting beyond the lake. Ellie looked from the sunset to Sierra and backto the sun. “You know, this sunset is the second most beautiful thing I’ve seen recently.”

“Oh yeah? And what’s the first?” The smile on Sierra’s face said that she knew exactly what the first was.

Ellie put an arm around her and pulled her in close. “I think you already know.”

“Can you tell me?” she asked softly, almost unsure, as if she had to hear the words from Ellie to truly believe they were true.

“Sierra.” Ellie stared at Sierra until she finally looked over at her and let their eyes meet. “I think you’re the most beautiful girl in the entire world. From the first time I saw you, I haven’t been able to take my eyes off of you. Now that I know you, you’re even more beautiful to me. Please don’t ever doubt that. Okay?”

Sierra broke their eye contact to gaze down at the blanket they were sitting on. “Sometimes it’s hard, you know? Teresa used to say all the right things. She made all of these promises to me, and then suddenly, it was like she became a different person overnight. I realize you’re not her, and I keep reminding myself of that, but when the person you thought you knew better than anyone else in this world changes right before your eyes, it’s almost impossible to convince yourself it won’t happen with everyone else.”

“That makes sense.” Ellie had gotten her heart broken before, but it wasn’t to the extent of Sierra’s. Ellie never dated someone she had been friends with before. Sure, there was the usual progression, but it was pretty obvious early on in all of her relationships the direction they were headed in. Everyone knows relationships can end. No one goes into a friendship believing it will. This person who was supposed to be on Sierra’s side forever was now her enemy. Ellie couldn’t even begin to imagine howmuch that must suck. “I want you to know I’m not going to hurt you, though.”

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