Page 60 of No Rings Attached
Chapter Fourteen
DREW
We pulled into my parents’ driveway and parked next to the house. The sprawling white colonial with its black shutters and wide front porch had been a perfect place to grow up. The lights along the lawn cast everything in a warm glow this evening.
“This is so pretty,” Ellie murmured, her gaze darting from the porch swing to the flower beds.
I threaded my fingers through hers. Just that small connection lit sparks beneath my skin. When her blue eyes met mine, my chest squeezed. “It’s even better inside.” I lifted her hand to my lips and pressed a kiss to her knuckles.
Her pupils darkened, and for a second, I wanted to forget dinner altogether and drive her back to my place.
Instead, I forced a grin. “You killed it tonight. I’m proud of you.”
Her tiny squeal of joy was worth every bit of restraint I had. I wanted to slay every one of her dragons if she’d let me. “I actually stood up to her,” Ellie said with a note of awe in her voice. “Not perfectly. I know it wasn’t super insulting, but I didn’t give in. That’s progress.”
“Definitely progress,” I agreed, squeezing her hand. And I wanted my family’s home to be the place where she never had to fight for that kind of love.
A sharp rap on the window made her shriek loud enough for me to wince.
“Sorry!” Grace stood at the window. She pushed her auburn waves out of her face, revealing eyes that sparkled with mischief. “Mom sent me—dinner’s ready.”
Ellie scrambled out of the car. Her words tumbled over each other as she spoke. “Hi! It’s so nice to finally meet you in person. I’m so sorry we’re late—it was my family’s fault, late flights, luggage, drama—you know how sweet Drew is, he helped and—” She stopped, cheeks pink. “Wow, that was a lot. I’m nervous.”
Grace looped her arm through Ellie’s. “Oh, you’re fine. You know I like you and you already know half of the family. There’s no reason to be nervous. What I’d like to hear more about is this brother of mine whom you said is sweet and helpful. I’m not sure we know the same person.”
“Grace,” I warned, but Ellie only laughed. Her grin slipped toward me like we’d shared a private joke. I scooted past them to hold open the door.
Grace stopped just short of going in, making Ellie stop, too. My sister poked at my side.
“What are you doing, weirdo?” I pushed her hand away.
“I’m thinking you’re a pod person who’s taken my brother. I was just checking.”
Inside, Mom appeared with open arms. Her brown hair, so similar to my shade, was streaked with silver that shone under the foyer lights. “Ellie! Finally.” She wrapped her in a hug so warm even I felt it. Ellie froze at first, then slowly melted into her arms. I caught the sheen in her eyes when she pulled back and my throat tightened.
“Thank you,” Ellie whispered to Mom, and Mom squeezed her tighter.
“Anytime, sweetie. And call me Laura.” Mom’s eyes met mine and I saw her mentally claim Ellie as one of her brood. “Now let’s go eat before it gets cold.”
Grace elbowed me as Mom ushered Ellie towards the kitchen. “You like her.”
There was no sense denying it. “I really do.”
“Are you going to ask her to stay when this fake-dating, not-fake-dating, is over?”
“I don’t know if that would be fair.” I shifted uncomfortably, not wanting to think about the future. Instead, I wanted to live in the moment with Ellie and forget about what was going to happen later.
Or the fact that at some point, she would leave.
“What does that even mean?” Grace shot me one of those looks sisters had perfected. The ideal blend of ‘Are you stupid?’ with ‘Why am I bothering to ask? You’re a moron.’
“I’m busy working all the time. And Ellie deserves to have someone who won’t make her wait up for him. Someone who will make her their priority. After everything the people in her life have put her through, she should get the rainbow-in-the-sky, unicorns-flying, magical relationship. I’m too focused on making my mark at Kingsley Jewelry. I’ve worked too hard to stop now and slow down.”
“She’s already delusional and seems to like you.” Grace smirked. “I can see it when she looks at you. It’s like she thinks you’ve hung the moon and probably the stars. Not that I can understand why.”
I shook my head.
“Drew, you can still make your mark and tell Ellie you really want a relationship with her. Besides, it’s not like she’d be going into this with blinders. She knows you work a lot.”
