Page 89 of near

I nudge her arm. “Stop. He’s not getting off the hook so easy. I need to be sure this time. Sure, he means it.”

“I have no doubt he will. But…”

“But what?”

“Will you still go on your date?”

I check the time on my phone. 25 minutes left. “It’s too late to cancel now. I’ll go for an hour and leave.”

I finish getting ready, grab my clutch, and head out the door. As soon as I’m on the sidewalk, I stop.

Elijah.

“Wh—what are you doing here?”

“Taking you out.” He opens the passenger door of his sleek black car, a self-assured smirk playing on his lip.

“I already have plans.” I hold up my hand to call for a cab.

His smirk widens. “I am your date.”

“What?” My hand falls down in slow-motion. “How did you—”

“Convince your mother to set us up? I have my ways.”

“Why didn’t you call?”

“I tried. Repeatedly.”

I open my mouth—

“And you probably would have ditched me if you knew. Not taking that chance.” He pushes off the car, closing the distance between us. “I wanted to surprise you, and I thought it was more romantic this way. If you’ll give me another chance…”

“So you really ended it with Esther?”

“I told you I’ll never lie to you. Things between us started off... complicated. I was a jerk. But I won’t give up.”

Vulnerability flickers in his eyes, just like a few days ago when he begged me to stay. Feelings that mirror my own.

I get on my tip-toes and kiss him on the cheek. “Me neither.”

Elijah snakes his arms around my waist, yanking me close to him. It feels good to be in his arms. Safe.

“You still have to make it up to me,” I say.

“I’ll never stop.” He kisses the top of my head before nudging me towards the car, but I pause.

“Actually, can we do something else?”

“What do you have in mind?”

“Would you like to come up?”

His mesmerizing eyes lock onto mine, and he nods, following me up. Inside, I kick off my heels, leading him straight to my room.

“Here it is.”

Elijah steps inside, his eyes roaming the room until they linger on the sketches, swatches, and delicate lace samples adorning the wall—testaments to countless hours of my dedication and passion.

---