Page 38 of Sing For Me

Nora gives me a big wide-eyed emoji in response. Her text telling me to come, saying Eli looked so sad and slightly panicky should have had me telling her that was fine; he got himself into this mess.

Instead, I felt vindicated, because that look on his face was the same one I’d seen that morning in the kitchen when Neil had asked us to go to dinner, so she knew I wasn’t completely unhinged for falling for it.

Anyway, it wasn’t like I was doing anything when I got the texts besides getting out of the shower. Pre-shower, I’d been on the phone with my realtor Caroline in California, who never seemed to not be working.

She’d asked me about the condo development I’d been interested in earlier this year, the one that was now under construction. “It’s your last chance to get in on the presale pricing, Reese. Now or never, in this market.”

There was no guarantee I’d get the place even if I made an offer, and I’d stood there in my kitchen, looking at the microwave dinner I’d been peeling the plastic back on when she called. Rufus had sighed wearily as if disappointed in me when I’d pulled it out of the fridge.

“Well, Reese?”

What did I have to stay in Quince Valley for? Filming would be over in a matter of weeks, and this ridiculous thing I was doing with Eli would end with it. Yet I’d still be working at his hotel, still in a restaurant, still hanging out with Rufus on Saturday nights eating lumpy frozen chicken penne.

“Okay,” I’d told Caroline. “Put in the offer.”

“Atta girl. Now, no guarantees, like I say.”

“No guarantees,” I’d repeated.

Then I’d gotten in the shower, feeling at least like I’d taken a step in the right direction, even if my stomach was turning over uncertainly.

Then my phone buzzed.

I spot Eli now, standing outside the bar in his handsome navy peacoat, blowing into his hands, and for a moment, I want to call Caroline back and tell her to cancel the whole thing.

Sorry, but there’s this guy here I used to love who I’m now fake dating, who still makes me feel like I’ve got a swarm of butterflies living in my stomach every time I see him. What? Do I have a future with him? No, there are no guarantees, remember?

I swallow hard, forcing myself to keep walking.

Up until last week, just seeing Eli in the hallway at work would have sent my stomach into knots. I took great pains to do everything I could to avoid seeing him at all. But now?

I couldn’t quite believe how much things had changed in such a short period of time.

At least for the time being.

Part of me still wants to run in the other direction, but I find myself coming right up to him, tapping him on the shoulder and folding my arms like I’m so put out to be here.

“Reese.” Eli’s face splits into that grin that makes my insides all woozy. Why the hell does he have to smile like that? Yet I feel my lips turning up too. My body responds all by itself to Eli Dunham, and I have to fight to keep a stern you-owe-me look on my face.

“Thank you,” he says. “Sincerely.”

“Sometimes I wonder if you put something in the water at Rolling Hills. If maybe that’s why I’m here doing this.”

“No, nothing in the water. Maybe you’ve just lost your mind all on your own?”

I have to bite my lips to keep from laughing.

Eli glances inside and clears his throat. “We should hug.”

I follow his gaze. Eli’s siblings, their partners—or in Jude’s case, his bestie—are sprawled around a table near the back that’s raised slightly, making it look like they’re on a stage. They look relaxed and easy. Neil and Kelly are on the far side of the table, Neil looking easygoing and Kelly slightly stiff, but gorgeous as always. Cassandra looks up then, and gives me a little wave. That makes everyone turn to face us.

Including Kelly.

I give Cass a wave back, then look at Eli. “Guess we have to hug now,” I say. “Do I do it, or you?”

“The longer we stand here the weirder it gets,” he says, reaching for my hand. “In fact…I think I have to lay it on thick now that they’re watching.”

My stomach skips as he pulls me toward him. Before I know what’s happening, his hands are sliding into my open coat, encircling my waist. “Is this okay?” he whispers in my ear.

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