Page 65 of No Rings Attached
“Drew, I had no idea you created jewelry too,” Ellie said, awe lacing her words. “Do you ever want to pick it back up again?.”
I shrugged. “I haven’t done it in years. The business-side of Kingsley Jewelry is where I want to be.”
Mom glanced at me, her mouth opening and then closing. She and I had this discussion over the years. She thought I’d reacted too hastily when I decided to walk away from jewelry design. I thought it was the best way to help our family’s company. We still didn’t see eye-to-eye with that, but like all things, Mom respected my decision.
Ellie let out a huge yawn. “Oh, gosh. I’m so sorry. It’s not you all, I promise. I struggled to sleep last night.”
Worrying about her family was likely the cause. I hated them more and more on behalf of my sweet fake girlfriend.
Dad checked his watch. “It is getting pretty late. Who knew two hours could pass so quickly?”
Two hours? Having Ellie here with my family had been effortless.
“Let me help you clean up before we go.” Ellie stood and started gathering her dishes.
Mom placed her hand over Ellie’s to stop her from continuing. “Next time. You’ve had a long day.”
“You cooked. It’s only fair.” And of course Ellie protested, because she was a good person.
“Mom’s stubborn. You better do what she says to stay in her good graces.” Wyatt advised.
I grinned as I stood too. “Wyatt’s right.”
“How about dessert?” Mom asked, getting up to retrieve a to-go container she’d left on the counter. She quickly cut pieces of apple pie and carefully laid them inside the plastic box.
I took the dessert from her and rested my other hand on Ellie’s lower back. “Tell Glamma we’ll see her tomorrow.”
Ellie glanced around at my family. “Thank you so much for having me. Dinner was perfect and so was the company. You all are so warm and welcoming. Probably more than I deserve since I’ve pulled your son into my family’s drama.”
“Nonsense,” Mom said. “Now give me a hug and the two of you take off while you can.”
Ellie hugged her without hesitation this time, holding on a little tighter. Once Ellie let go, she moved around the table, hugging Dad, and Grace, who whooped and declared it an ‘Ellie initiation.’
By the time she reached me, her cheeks were flushed from laughter, but her eyes were happy.
Mom leaned in as she hugged me last. “I like her. A lot.”
“I do, too,” I admitted.
And God help me, I meant it more than I should.
Chapter Fifteen
ELLIE
Houses blurred into streaks of light as we drove towards Drew’s. The soft rush of the tires and the shifting scenery pulled me deeper into my own thoughts, creating a hypnotic effect and putting me in a self-reflective state of mind.
I was head-over-heels in love with Drew’s family.
Everything about them was what I’d always dreamed of having for myself. And even if I only got a few nights with them out of this deal, I’d be eternally grateful. Now I knew for sure that the families I grew up watching on TV reallydidexist in real life.
It amazed me that my life and my views of what I’d accept as the bare minimum had changed so much in three days. I vowed to myself that someday I’d have all this family goodness for myself. Nothing else would do. And I refused to settle for less. They gave me hope that I could be surrounded by that much love and support every single day.
With Drew, Bad Eleanor whispered, but was she really all that bad when she was just admitting the truth? Or the truth I wished could be my reality? Even if all we’d done was kiss, Drew had left an impression on my heart, one that would remain. He was my yardstick: my dream guy and the man I’d compare all others to.
Drew pulled into the garage of a shaker-style duplex. A total of six mirror-image homes lined each side of the street and were grouped in sets of two. His was on the end. The medium-gray exterior blended with the private front porches that featured grand square columns made of stone on the bottom half and white wood on the top. Beautifully arranged planters with fall foliage dressed up the exterior. The large, evenly spaced window made his place look welcoming, and I felt instantly at home.
I glanced nervously at him. “Thank you for letting me stay here.”
