Page 61 of New Growth
By the time we pulled up to the front of our place, it was just past 3 a.m.
I unbuckled my seatbelt as soon as he stopped. “Thanks for the ride.”
“Of course,” he said, voice low and easy—a complete contrast to Esther’s loud snores behind us.
I hesitated before I exited. He had driven us all this way, and I had no idea how far out of his way we’d taken him. The least I could do was offer him a coffee before he got back on the road.
“…You wanna come up?”
His brows lifted slightly. “Yeah.”
I was taken aback by how quickly he answered. “Yeah?”
Before I could second-guess myself, he was already out of the car, circling around to open my door.
How smooth.
As I stepped out, I turned to drag Esther from the back seat, but before I could, Elliot was already there.
“I got her,” he said.
I eyed him skeptically. “You sure?”
In response, he scooped her up effortlessly, adjusting her against his chest like she weighed nothing. He started toward my front door, but I held out a hand to stop him.
“Look,” I said carefully, “don’t expect anything to happen between us. This is just a pick-me-up so you don’t fall asleep at the wheel.”
Elliot didn’t stop. Instead, he leaned into my outstretched hand, pressing his chest against my palm. His heartbeat thudded beneath my fingers, slow and steady.
“I wasn’t expecting anything from you, Ellie,” he murmured, dipping his head closer to mine as Esther dangled at his side. “And I would love a cup of your coffee.”
I stuttered, completely thrown by how smoothly he spoke.
Thank God my period started.
“Just—come in,” I muttered, unlocking the door.
Inside, I led him to Esther’s room upstairs, where he gently placed her on the bed. I removed her shoes, tucked her in, and turned off the light before quietly shutting the door behind us.
“Thanks,” I said.
“No problem.”
Then he followed me back downstairs, where I moved to the kitchen, setting up the coffee pot while he settled onto a barstool at the counter. I felt his eyes on me the whole time.
“I can feel you staring at my ass,” I said, not bothering to turn around.
“I was mostly looking at your hair,” he admitted. “But I won’t say I don’t enjoy the complete view.”
I turned, setting a steaming cup of coffee in front of him. “Is this what I can expect from our friendship?”
He smirked. “Among other things.”
I rolled my eyes. “Just drink your coffee.”
“Can I get some sugar, at least?”
I read between the lines and crossed my arms. “Good boys get sugar.”
