Page 21 of The Art of Loving Ellie
I conclude that his large family must be where he gets his carefree demeanor from. The open way he describes them is as tempting to an affectionately-starved person like myself, as sugar is to someone who forces themselves to drink diet coke.
Grabbing the door handle to make my escape, I bite my lip, contemplating his request. “I’ll think about it.”
I expect him to look at me like he has won this little challenge between us, but instead, he nods in understanding, and we walk casually back to the party—like we didn’t just make-out in a janitor’s closet.
A lot of people have left by the time we return, and I see Alex standing with his arm around the sexy guy we spotted earlier. He appears exhausted, and not like himself.
With our conversation weighing heavily between us, Tyler kisses my hand telling me goodnight, and I begin to get anxious as I watch him leave. I choose to shove those feelings down and turn my attention back to Alex. I make my way over to him to make sure he has a way of getting home.
“Stahhpp,” he exaggerates drunkenly when I fuss over him. “I’m fiiine. Trey is going to make sure I have allll the company I need.” He's giving him a goofy grin, and to my surprise, Trey laughs lightly.
“Don’t worry, I promise to take good care of him.” he tells me with a sweet smile.
With that taken care of, I check in with Tina as the cleanup crew gets busy breaking down structures and moving the items that have been left in our care. She's quick to assure me that she has everything handled and that I should go home and get some rest.
The cool night air caresses my still heated skin as I hail a taxi. It’s ten-thirty by the time I head home, and I’m feeling agitated despite the amazing time I had tonight. When my phone buzzes, I’m expecting to find a text from Tyler telling me he’s sorry for spooking me the way he did, but instead, I see a message from Robert.
R: Ellie, please call me. I need to talk to you.
Locking the screen, I stare out the window for a while and I take a deep breath as I watch the city lights zoom past in a bright blur. My thoughts are a mess as I open my phone back up, scrolling through my favorites, and decide to make a very important phone call—to my aunt.
Chapter Seven
After begging Alex for some desperately needed time away, he reluctantly gave me his blessing to go see my aunt back home in Texas. I know he isn’t thrilled about losing his assistant for ten days, but I have to get out of this city for a little while. Besides, I have a feeling some good old fashioned, fresh Texas air is going to clear this brain fog right up.
I shuffle to the end of the row to my window seat and settle in for a three-hour ride. I pull my thin blanket around myself as my mind wanders into a place I previously forbade it to go.
Territory of interest: Infatuation
Subject: Tyler Mitchell
It’s practically impossible not to think about him or his insane offer for me to meet his family. I think back to my lame text this morning telling him I’m leaving town for a while and that I’ll ‘be in touch’. I cringe; he probably thinks I’m blowing him off. To be honest, the thought of pursuing anything serious with him does frighten me, but I attempt to put my thoughts of Tyler away. With this trip, I’m hoping that spending some quality time with my aunt will help shine some light on why I’ve suddenly lost my inspiration.
Unaware I’ve dozed off, I startle awake when the plane begins shaking slightly, and the pilot comes on the overhead speaker preparing us for landing. I yawn, stretch, and feel excitement gathering in my stomach at the thought of seeing one of my favorite people in the entire world.
I de-board the plane and make my way to baggage claim to collect my bag. The international airport is huge, and there are tons of people walking around talking on the phone, or racing to get to their terminal. The chaos is reminiscent of New York, and for a second, it’s almost as if I never left.
Lifting my heavy suitcase off the conveyor belt, I turn around to see a man holding a large sign with ‘Ellie Clark’ printed on it in bold, black ink. I raise an eyebrow, cautiously walking over to the unusual looking chauffer.
“Um, hello?” I question, taking in the sight of an older gentleman who looks as though he wandered straight off the cover ofTexas Monthly.
The man is wearing worn wranglers and a tan cowboy hat. He has a big, bushy mustache that's accompanied by an even more impressive goatee, and his overall demeanor screams don’t mess with Texas. His large, 1987 champion rodeo buckle shines brightly at the top of his jeans.
“Are you Miss Ellie Clark?” He gives me a welcoming smile, and I nod, assuring him that I’m the person he’s come here for. “Well let’s get a move on young lady!” His loud voice echoes around the space, and I glance around to see a few people gawking at us.
I follow him when he turns for the exit, and I can’t help but openly stare at his brown cowboy boots—complete with spurs of course. The corner of my mouth tilts up in a half-smile as I’m suddenly struck by how much I’ve missed my home.
I can’t say I miss the nosey neighbors, but I desperately miss the kindness that is lacking up north. There’s a smile for every person you meet here. Texas feels like home because the people make it so, and that's what my heart has missed the most.
The man guides us to a white Lincoln SUV, and he walks around to open my door for me. Thanking him, I get in, and to my surprise, the leather is warm from sitting in the sun. Come to think of it, it feels a lot more like May than it does November.
As if he’s read my thoughts, he starts the car and says, “Bit of warm weather we’re havin’! I’m sure it’s freezing up there in the big city.” His southern twang feels nostalgic, making me smile but mentally, I’m rolling my eyes. There’s nothing I hate more than small talk.
I’m still trying to understand how he could possibly know where I’m from as he continues speaking. “So, your aunt tells me you’re the assistant to some fancy-schmancy artist, huh?”
I tilt my head, taken off guard, and trying to figure out how this driver knows my aunt personally. “How—”
He cuts me off, while also cutting off several other people getting onto the highway. “Name’s Richard.” He has one hand on the steering wheel as he juts the other one out for me to shake. “Janie has told me so much about you, little lady.”
