Page 15 of Secrets, Scandals and Baby Shoes

“I knew you’d agree.” Dominic beamed at her. “Lucy Goose. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” The tears threatened again. “This isn’t your fault.”

“No, but I still wish things were different.” He hugged her again. “I don’t want to make you sad. I want to make the time I have left great.”

“Of course.” Lucy nodded, even as her heart ached and her stomach twisted and tears pressed at her eyes. “We’ll make it great.”

They sat for a long time, side by side, not talking. Lucy watched the waves wash in, and as she did, she made up her mind. With her brother only having a little time left, she couldn’t add to his burden with a relationship that wasn’t ever going to last. She’d end things with Elliot quietly and focus on her brother. It was the only choice she could make — no matter how much it hurt.

CHAPTER 6

ELLIOT

Lucy seemed… off… after they returned from the beach trip. Elliot couldn’t quite put his finger on why, but she avoided him the first day after their return — claiming she had a lot of work to do — and seemed distant at dinner when they met the day after. Maybe she was feeling worried about Dominic finding out about their relationship.

After Dominic had pulled Lucy aside on the last day, Elliot had found a moment with her to ask if everything was okay. Lucy reassured him that all was well and that Dominic didn’t know about them, but she hadn’t volunteered much more information than that.

No matter the reason for Lucy being off, Elliot didn’t like it. He loved her smile and her laugh and didn’t like to see her staring into space with a worried expression. If she was sad, she could always talk to him about it. So, Elliot decided on the third day after break that it was time to cheer her up. He sent a message inviting her over to his dorm room that evening, which she accepted. Then he put aside his homework — he’d come back to it at the last minute — and got to work.

The first step was to findBig Hero 6, the animated movie Lucy loved so much. She’d mentioned it a few times, but Elliot had always shaken his head and told her that he didn’t like animated movies. He still didn’t, but if it would cheer up Lucy, he’d have happily watched paint dry.

Next, he set up a cozy movie-watching corner in his room — a pile of pillows and blankets on the floor, the laptop on a stand in front, and a string of twinkle lights he’d once gotten for a prank hung across the wall as mood lighting. Finally, he went over to the Chinese restaurant to get a few of Lucy’s favorite dishes as takeout. On the way back to his room, he stopped at the convenience store for chocolate-covered Oreos and ginger ale, two of Lucy’s favorite treats. Smiling to himself, he headed back to his room for the final setup.

He’d asked Lucy to come at six, but at six fifteen, she still hadn’t arrived, and he began to worry. He got out his phone to send her a message, but just then there was a knock on his door. He opened it, already grinning.

Lucy stood outside in her leggings and Eastwick sweatshirt. Her hair was down in waves around her shoulders, but there was still a distance in her blue eyes. Never mind that. Elliot was certain that the combination of food and a special movie would help her feel better.

“Lucy.” He gave her a quick kiss. “Come on in.”

She stepped into his dorm and looked down at the movie-viewing spot he’d created out of pillows and blankets. Her gaze drifted to the laptop, where the opening sequence of her movie was cued up, then to the paper boxes of food, ginger ale, and Oreos. Elliot waited, biting his lip slightly to keep from talking.He expected Lucy to smile, perhaps to hug him, and certainly to plop onto the floor and reach for the food.

Instead, she burst into tears.

“Luce?” Elliot reached for her, concerned. In the months he’d known her, he’d never seen her cry. Lucy let him hug her but pulled away after just a moment, still crying.

“Elliot…”

“You can tell me.” He squeezed her shoulders. “Whatever it is, you can tell me.”

“We made a mistake,” she said, her voice so soft he could barely hear it.

“Maybe we did,” Elliot agreed. “Maybe it would have been better to be upfront with Dominic from?—”

Lucy cut him off, shaking her head. “No. This was a mistake.” She gestured between them. “Wewere a mistake. We never should have done this.”

“Luce.” Elliot couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “No.”

“Yes.” She wiped her tears and met his eyes with her own. “I’m sorry, but we can’t see each other anymore.”

“Come on.” Elliot shook his head. “Whatever this is, talk to me. We can figure anything out.”

Lucy bit her lip and wrapped her arms around her stomach. “Not this.”

“Yes, this.” Elliot seized on her hesitation. “If this is about Dominic, don’t worry. The world doesn’t revolve around him. He might be upset for a little while if he finds out that we’re dating,but he’ll get over it. We don’t have to try so hard to protect him. He’s an adult!”

Lucy’s eyes welled up, and she shook her head. “That’s where you’re wrong. I’m sorry, Elliot.”

Then she turned on her heel and fled. Elliot was so shocked that he didn’t know how to react. His first instinct was to run after her, but it seemed like a mistake to force her to talk when she was this upset. They’d see each other again tomorrow, and he’d have a chance to sort this out. No matter how upset Lucy was, she wouldn’t just end their relationship like that. Not when they were so good together.

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