Page 10 of Dart to Me
“I’m not big on gossip anyway.”
She smiles, more genuine this time. “Well, then we’ll get along just fine.”
I open my truck door for her and let her slide in before closing it to take us home. Maybe it is fate that she is my neighbor. Is she supposed to be part of my fresh start in this small town?
As I pull out of the diner’s parking lot, Ellie gazes out the passenger window. I notice she’s fidgeting with her watch again, turning the face around her wrist.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah, just...” She sighs. “Miles—the chief—he’ll probably drive by my place tonight. He does that sometimes after we run into each other.”
“Is that a problem? Should I be concerned?”
“No, nothing like that.” She shakes her head quickly. “He’s not dangerous. Just... protective. Or controlling, depending on how charitable I’m feeling that day.”
I pull into my driveway and kill the engine.
“Thanks for the ride,” she says, hand on the door handle. “And for listening. I don’t usually dump ex-husband drama on people I’ve just met.”
As she steps out, a patrol car rolls slowly down our street, headlights cutting through the darkness. Ellie stiffens but raises her hand in a casual wave. The car slows but doesn’t stop, continuing past our houses before turning at the end of the block.
“Right on schedule,” she murmurs, then turns back to me with a forced brightness. “I’d invite you in for something to drink, but he might get the wrong idea.”
Maybe I’m reading this wrong entirely. She isn’t into me. This wasn’t a date.
“Good night, Ellie.”
ELLIE
It only takes abouttwenty minutes for Miles to show up at my front door. Like it’s his business who I’m out with. We’ve been divorced for three years. He just can’t give up.
I open the door and he’s standing there with that look—the one that says he thinks he’s the only man who can protect me from the world.
“Who is he?” Miles asks without even saying hello.
“None of your business,” I say, leaning against the doorframe, not inviting him in.
“Come on. You know I worry.”
“You lost the right to worry when you decided Sarah was more interesting than our marriage.”
He winces. Good. It still hurts him to hear it out loud.
“That’s not fair.”
“Neither was cheating.” I cross my arms. “Why are you really here, Miles?”
He shoves his hands in his pockets, looking down at my welcome mat—the one he never liked because it says ‘Go Away’ in cheerful letters. “Megan told me you were out with someone. Said he looked dangerous.”
“So you appointed yourself my personal security detail?”
“I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
“I’m fine. Better than fine.” I straighten up. “And Julian isn’t dangerous.” I start to close the door. “Goodnight, Miles.”
He stops the door with his foot. “Ellie, wait. There’s actually something else I need to tell you.”
I sigh, hand still on the doorknob. “What is it now?”
