Page 103 of Ripped & Shipped
Babe?
I shoot him a look that says,Babe? Really?
He sends me a look that says,What? You don’t like it?
I shake my head and smile at him.
“Yeah. I’m settled in.”
He puts his hand on my lower back and guides me toward the couch. And, yes, it occurs to me to tell him I didn’t break my leg and I can make my way across a room on my own. But then again, considering the level of social tension filling the air right now, maybe I do need an escort and a crutch.
After Shannon and Duke both greet me, conversation picks up where it must have left off before I came out of my room. I’m silent, sitting on the couch next to Chris. He’s all casual and relaxed, his arm outstretched behind me. I’m uptight, but trying to relax. Everyone else is carrying on without me, which is more like what I had anticipated.
We end up grabbing lunch at a local deli, picking up some groceries to keep on hand, and then coming back to the house to hang out. I haven’t said much all day, but I’m not as uncomfortable as I was at first.
Chris keeps checking in with me. It’s sweet, really. He doesn’t leave my side, as if he knows his presence is a buffer between me and everyone else. It’s not like they don’t like me. It’s just that we’re bending lines that have been set in something more firm than concrete for as long as I can remember.
Evening comes and we all retreat to our respective rooms to prepare for our night out with Aiden, Em, Rob, Laura, Lexi, and Trevor. I put on the special outfit I chose to give myself an extra boost of confidence. I’m wearing a matching jumpsuit that consists of a white, clingy crop top and wide-leg pants in a flowing fabric. I pair that with some hot pink stacked sandals. Then I pull my hair into a high ponytail and put on my makeup.
When I exit my bedroom, Chris lets out a low whistle. His eyes track from my feet up to my face.
“You look amazing,” he says.
“I know,” I tease back.
He chuckles. Then he walks across the living room and stands close enough that I can smell his cologne.
He leans in and places a soft kiss on my cheek.
“I’m glad you know. You’re stunning. I won’t be able to keep my eyes off you.”
No one else is in the living room, so I’m not sure if he’s hoping they are listening, or he’s just playing the part, or if, by some off chance, he actually means what he’s saying. I barely let my heart hope for the last possibility. It’s too fragile a thing—hope.
Instead, I wink at him and say, “You look pretty scrumptious yourself. We’ll have to get a ton of photos tonight to post online.”
Chris’ smile fades for the slightest moment, and then he says, “Yep. Let’s get lots of photos to post online.”
CHAPTER35
Chris
I’m sippingmy coffee out on the back porch of the house we’re renting. Yesterday’s gathering with all my friends was … Well, it was a complete and utter dumpster fire. Maybe no one noticed. They were all enjoying one another, laughing at Duke, talking about Shannon’s pregnancy, Laura and Rob’s adoption, and how the Mighty Fireflies are doing in summer little league.
But every time I looked over at Ella Mae, she looked like Westley inThe Princess Bridewhen he’s being tortured in the Pit of Despair—barely veiled agony. I’d give her a comforting touch, or try to send a non-verbal message of assurance her way, but nothing I did could make up for the invisible wall between her and everyone else in the room.
That’s why I decided she and I are getting out and doing some sightseeing today in Cincinnati—alone. We’ve got the reception this evening, but a day out on the town together will be the least I can do to give Ella Mae a break from the odd mixture of scrutiny and neglect she’s been having to endure.
The glass door to the deck slides open. I look over my shoulder to catch a glimpse of Ella Mae walking toward me in a fuzzy tracksuit. She’s cupping a mug of coffee with both hands.
“Have a seat,” I offer.
“How’d you sleep?”
“Okay. You?”
“It was fine. I had weird dreams,” she says, scrunching up her nose in this adorable way.
“Any you want to share?”
