Page 79 of New Growth
My cheeks heated. “I—I don’t see how that’s important.”
The grin widened into a full-blown smile as if she had figured out the secret to the mystery of the two Elliots.
“Yeah, you like him. That’s why you let him crash your ‘me time’ and why you’ve been giddy all morning. And don’t think I didn’t see you and old boy hugged up on the porch a couple of days before. Little miss, ‘I’m afraid of being held’.”
I cringed. “It’s not like that. I’m just—”
I opened my mouth, but no words came out.
Because, honestly? I wasn’t even sure what the hell I was doing with Elliot.
Esther watched me flounder for an explanation, her smile stretching wider with every second that passed. Then, she laughed, loud and full of amusement.
“Oh, this is too funny,” she cackled. “The infamous bachelorette, best known for turning down men left and right, has a little crush.”
She reached out to pinch my cheeks, and I swatted her hand away, scowling.
“I don’t have a crush,” I muttered, but Esther only laughed harder.
She wasn’t completely wrong. I wasn’t in love or anything, but I was…intrigued. No man had ever put in half the effort El had over the last month.
I’d been in a relationship for years, but Jonathan had never been this intentional or consistent in his attempts to make me feel wanted. He had almost felt entitled to my time and my body simply because we had been together so long.
And the men that came after? They’d try once or twice, but most lost courage after a rejection or two. The ones that didn’t would disappear the moment they had to actually plan the date they begged for.
But not Elliot. I never asked him to do anything.He just knew.
“It’s okay, sis. I get it completely. Old boy’s fine as hell, and y’all would make a cute couple,” Esther said thoughtfully. “But a man like that is looking for something serious. You ready for that?”
A wave of dread ran through me at the thought, though I didn’t let it show.
“El and I are just friends,” I stated, as I put the last box in the van. “I don’t have to worry about that because I’m not looking for a relationship, and he knows that, okay? And stop calling him old boy. It makes me feel…yucky.”
Esther rolled her eyes, clearly not convinced by my answer. “Whatever you say, Ellie.”
As I prepared to defend myself further, my phone rang, vibrating against the countertop. I glanced at the screen.
Elliot.
Before I could even reach for it, Esther peeked over my shoulder, her grin instant and sly.
“Ouuu, it’s your man calling.” She wiggled her brows. “Better not tell him what you’re doing tonight.”
“He’s not my man!” I declared. Then, her words hit me, and my stomach dropped. “Esther, I said no—”
“Be ready by eight.” She waved me off, completely ignoring my protests, and then hopped into the van.Bitch.
I groaned, rubbing my temple before answering the call. “Hello?”
His voice came through immediately, deep and smooth. “I want to see you.”
I rolled my eyes, but my lips twitched up. “Good afternoon to you, too, Elliot.”
“Good afternoon, Elliot. I want to see you.”
His insistence sent a shiver down my spine, but I kept my voice steady. “I can’t today, El. I’m working with the women’s shelter.”
“Can I see you after then?”
