Page 108 of New Growth
“Please don’t,” I whispered. “I know what you’re going to say.”
“What am I going to say, Peanut?”
I exhaled slowly. “That I’m overthinking it. That I should stop trying to define this and just be grateful I found comfort in someone. That even if it’s messy and complicated and probably a disaster waiting to happen, it works for us. And that’s all that should matter. Did I cover everything?”
There was a long pause before he replied, “Just about. But I had one more thing to say.”
I braced myself for some smart-ass remark. “Which is?”
“Open the door.”
Huh?My heart stuttered.
“Are you—?”
“Come see.” His voice dipped, velvet-smooth and low.
My breath caught as I set the glass aside and crossed the room, half in a daze. I unlocked the door and slowly pulled it open.
Elliot stood on the porch, one hand in his pocket, the other holding his phone to his ear.
I ended the call, staring at him. “You came back?”
He tucked the phone away, lips twitching at the corners. “Came back?”
I glanced past him. His car was still parked where he’d left it earlier.
My voice dropped. “You waited?”
He shrugged like it was nothing. “Of course. I told you. I can’t sleep without you, Peanut. And I’m not about to start tonight.”
I couldn’t speak or move. So he just stepped inside, shrugging off his jacket.
“Come on,” he said gently, brushing his hand against mine as he passed. “Let’s go to bed, yeah?”
Shameful.
ThemomentIspottedher, my whole body went cold.
No.
No way.
There was no way in hell that after I took time off this weekend, rented a car, and booked two nights at a Spa Hotel, my mother would show up with her other daughter.
Ryan sat across from Ma, looking just as put together as ever. Her locs were swept over one shoulder, her nails were done, and her gold hoops glinted in the sunlight. She lifted her glass to take a sip of whatever was inside before carefully clinking it down.
I had half a mind to walk out before either of them saw me, but I hadn’t seen my mother since I left for Thailand, and involuntarily, I missed her. So I approached.
“Hi, Elliot.”
I cringed when she spoke. When we locked eyes, Ryan straightened, and I quickly looked away. My eyes flicked to Ma, and my jaw tightened.
“What the hell is she doing here?”
Ma didn’t even move to embrace me or reassure me. Honestly, she didn’t even look happy to see me. Ma sighed, shifting in her seat. “Sit down, Elliot. Let’s talk like grown women.”
“I don’t want to talk to her.”
