Page 80 of No Rings Attached
I kissed the top of Ellie’s head. Before I pulled away, I drew in a deep breath, loving how she smelled of my shampoo and conditioner. Unbidden came the image of her in my clothes last night. I needed to stop the direction of my thoughts or I’d be fighting an erection in front of her mom and sister.
“Eleanor, I’m sure your boyfriend can help us secure a spot with the axe throwing thing,” said Constance.
“I think I can.” I motioned over to Nora. “Could you come over here for a minute?”
“You got it, Drew.” Nora finished delivering food to another table and headed our way.
“Could you call your cousin and help us find time for twenty people to go to the Axe-hole on Tuesday?”
“Saturday,” Celia corrected me.
I knew it was Saturday.
“Saturday won’t work. It’s Ruby Night.” Nora responded. “Is there another night you can pick?”
Celia sighed and pulled out her phone. “I can’t believe a business would shut down for one little event.”
“Maybe we could go bowling instead, if it’s not available,” Ellie suggested.
Her voice had gotten smaller. I’d noticed that—the way she seemed to physically shrink around her sister, her shoulders curving inward like she was trying to take up less space.
“Ican’t, Ellie. What do you not get about my followers voting for that? I won’t disappoint them.”
Ellie flinched. It was subtle—just a slight tightening around her eyes, a barely perceptible catch in her breath—but I saw it.
I did not like the way her sister talked to her.
More than that, I hated it. Hated the casual cruelty in Celia’s voice, like Ellie’s suggestions were stupid and not worth considering. Hated that Ellie immediately went into damage control mode instead of defending herself.
“Right. Anything you can do would be great, Nora.” Ellie’s voice was overly bright now, that false cheerfulness people used when they were trying to smooth something over. But her hands twisted in her lap under the table.
I wanted to reach for her. To say something. But what could I say that wouldn’t make this worse for her?
Nora’s face softened. She glanced at Ellie’s family and then back to her, and I saw the recognition there—she understood exactly what was happening. “The place closes around six during the week. I’ll ask him if he wouldn’t mind opening it for a special event if you all can get there by seven. Could you make Monday work?”
Under the table, I found Ellie’s hand. Her fingers were cold. I squeezed gently, trying to tell her:I see this. I see how they treat you. And it’s not okay.
“I’ll shuffle things around and make that fit.” Celia turned to her mom, practically dismissing Nora. “My followers are going to die when they know the place was opened especially for me.”
“Thank you,” Ellie’s heartfelt appreciation of Nora was in direct contrast to her sister’s smug smile.
Nora tapped the table. “You’re welcome. I’ll take the bill whenever you’re ready.”
“Ellie, can you work on getting yard games pulled together for the event at Drew’s grandmother’s?”
“Uh, sure. I’ll come up with something.” Ellie started jotting down possible ideas to pursue.
I put my hand over the paper so she had to stop writing. “I’ve got that covered.” Glamma had so many of those at her house from family gatherings I’m sure we’d have enough there to keep everyone busy.
“Thank you.” Her smile made me wish I had created those games myself.
Celia took a selfie. “My followers are going to flip when I let it leak about your grandmother’s place.” She tapped her chin. “I think I’ll wait a day or two to post that. I don’t want to take away from the cake tasting tonight.”
How in the world were she and my girlfriend, I mean, myfakegirlfriend, related?
“Ellie, Mom and I have to go.” Celia stood and tugged on their mother’s arm. “I want to make sure everything is ready for the cake tasting tonight and I have the perfect outfit for it.”
“Oh, okay,” Ellie said, clearly surprised by their abrupt departure.
