Page 37 of The Heart Shot
Could she be right? Did Elsie like me too? Maya had said Elsie didn’t date, and Elsie herself had been very adamant about that fact. Butnot wanting to dateanddeveloping feelingswere two separate things. That would explain why she hadn’t pulled away the few times I tried to kiss her.
Aunt Jo cleared her throat, breaking me out of my thoughts. “Anyway. I can’t get this register door open. I need you to work your magic on it.”
“And by magic you mean pushing the right buttons?”
She nodded. “Yes. Exactly. Magic.”
I chuckled. Though Aunt Jo ran Beck’s Pumpkins, her age and her resistance to learning the latest technology always gave her issues when it came to upgrading things, like the register. I stepped up and hit the two buttons—yes, just two—and the door dinged and slid open.
“Ah ha! Magic.” Aunt Jo clapped. “Now, get out of here and get some rest. Be sure to text Elsie something sweet before you go to bed!”
I laughed. “I know how to talk to a woman, Aunt Jo. But thanks for the tip.”
The amusement slid from her face, and she looked me dead in the eye. “Don’t let that one get away, Jamie.” She pointed a finger in my face. “She’s something special.”
“Don’t worry, Aunt Jo, I don’t plan to.”
Elsie
Numb everywhere but where his hot lips had touched my cheek, I climbed in my car, turned the key in the ignition and banged the back of my head against the headrest. That light brush of his lips couldn’t even be considered a kiss,but my insides were melting like an ice cream cone on a hot summer day.
Oh boy. You’re in trouble.
This was not good. I couldn’t afford to feel like this from an almost kiss. I shouldn’t feel this wayat all.Jameson was smooth, I’d give him that, and there was definitely a connection between us, but how long would it last?
My old Civic groaned as I shifted into gear, and pulled away from Beck’s Pumpkins, two words repeating in my mind.
Well, crap.
I drove in a daze, making it home through sheer muscle memory. I hated driving at night, but I didn’t even notice the blinding oncoming headlights, or how the twists and turns of the road were barely visible in the dark without streetlights to illuminate the way.
By the time I pulled into my driveway, any lingering warmth from Jameson had faded into the crisp night, and a shiver wracked my body as I struggled to pull myself out of the car. For a moment I just stared at my house. It was a cute little two-bedroom bungalow that I saved for three years to buy. It needed some TLC, but it was mine, and it was home.
But, as much as I loved it, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of the darkness, the emptiness, as I unlocked the front door and went inside. My stomach curled in on itself as I flicked the light on to reveal the small living room, void of anyone but my cat, Rhys, who gave me a hearty meow, then went back to sleep on the cat tree.
I sighed, hanging my purse on a hook by the door.
Maya was right.
Iwaslonely.
As much as I knew protecting myself and staying single was worth it, that knowledge did nothing to soothe the ache in my heart at being alone each night, or waking up to a chilly home and facing another day by myself. Sure, I had the house and a big bed all to myself, but if I was honest with myself, I’d take the reassurance of another person in the same space, of knowing I could wake up to someone next to me.
I flicked another lamp on, heading into the kitchen to get some water. For a moment, I pictured Jameson sitting on my couch, his smile lighting up the room and my heart. I slammed the cupboard closed, banishing that mental image. I couldn’t let myself go down that road. Chugging down some water, I studied my little house once more, careful not to imagine a certain man again.
It was cute, a cozy little place, perfect for me.
Maybe, if I said the words enough I would convince myself.
I rubbed at my stupid heart, wishing the ache would stop. It hadn’t gotten the message that this was for the best.Being alone might hurt now, but it was nothing compared to what it would feel like if I allowed myself to fall in love only to lose it, or to find out Jameson wasn’t who I thought he was.
Kicking my boots off, I plopped down on the couch right as my phone buzzed. My heart gave an annoying flutter when Jameson’s name flashed across the screen.
Jameson
Did you make it home?
Be cool, Elsie. Give a simple answer and be done with it.Smart Elsie had finally overtaken Smitten Elsie, and wasted no time in making sure I smothered anything I felt over his text. My fingers hovered over the screen, and it took forever to formulate a simple response.
