Page 48 of New Growth
“For how long?”
“Thirteen years.”
I blinked.That’s a long time.“How long have you been divorced?”
“Three years.”
“Do you have kids?”
“No.”
“Why’d you get divorced?”
Elliot leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. “So many questions, Ellie. Maybe save some for the second date?”
Baby, my trust issues were already kicking in. You would be lucky if there was going to be a second date.
Before I could formulate a response, Lizzie placed my mocha in front of me. The rich scent of spiced chocolate poured out of the cup and seeped through my senses, but suddenly, I wasn’t in the mood for it anymore.
I narrowed my eyes. “I don’t like how you’re brushing this conversation off.”
El sighed, rubbing a hand over his bearded jaw. “Look, I swear to you. I’m not still involved with my ex-wife if that’s what you’re thinking. She’s in a very serious relationship and very pregnant on the other side of the world. There’s nothing going on between us.”
I studied him, searching for cracks in his composure. He seemed sincere, but skepticism still lingered in the back of my mind.
“Are you in a relationship at all?” I pressed.
His expression didn’t waver. “No, Elliot. I am completely single. I wouldn’t be sitting here trying to get to know you if I wasn’t. I’m not that type of person.”
That was the problem.
I didn’t know what kind of person he was, and yet I was too scared to learn.
“Right,” I muttered, playing with the cup handle. “I’m sorry if that was intense.”
“It’s okay.” His voice softened. “Let’s just take a step back, okay?”
I exhaled, nodding. “Okay.”
“Good.” A small pause. Then, he leaned in slightly. “Are you free this Saturday?”
I swallowed hard. The smart thing to do would be to say no. To ghost him right here and now. I’d have to find a new coffee shop, but this was California—how hard could that be?
Still, against my better judgment, I answered.
“I have to teach a beauty class from nine to one, but after that, I’m free. Why?”
“There’s a meeting of Black creatives being hosted downtown,” he explained. “I think you’d enjoy it. I’d love for you to come with me. Maybe we could get to know each other in a less intimate setting—you might feel more comfortable opening up. There’s a demonstration session where you could even put your skills on display. After all, the best way to know an artist is through their work.”
I considered it. It did soundinteresting.
“Hmm.”
El leaned back, watching me. “I can send you all the details if you’d like. Can I have your number?”
No. No. Absolutely not.I should just cut and run, shove the warm and fuzzy feelings into the dark corners of my brain, and move on. I wanted to so badly. But, for the first time in a long time, I felt optimistic.
And maybe, for now, that was enough. Maybe things didn’t always have to be so heavy.
