Page 95 of Dare To Live

“The Hamptons is your home.” She follows me.

“You know what I mean.”

“I wish you wouldn’t isolate yourself out there.”

“I like it. It’s quiet and there are no distractions.” At least, unless a certain blonde turns back up. I go into the bedroom and find my cell, where I tossed it on the floor. Picking it up, I turn it on.

It immediately starts chiming with incoming messages.

Arabella: HeY com bak for funh :)

Arabella: Wher r u?

Arabella: I want sext

Arabella: My pusst missss u

Arabella: Yur no funh

Arabella: Plz fuk me

A series of photographs follow the texts, and then a video. When she falls off the bed with a thud and a yelp, I can’t hold back my laughter.

“What’s that?”

I tap stop on the video and pocket my cell.

“Just texts from a friend.”

***

It’s weird walking into the house after all this time. The last time I was here was on the day of my dad’s funeral. After the ceremony, I’d gone to my bedroom, packed everything I could and fled to the cabin. I haven’t been back since.

Elena doesn’t speak when I step inside, her heels clicking on the wooden floor as she crosses to the hallway leading further into the house. I let her go, my gaze moving over the interior. Nothing has changed. I wouldn’t be surprised to find my dad standing inside his study.

I’m still standing in the doorway when Elena returns a few minutes later.

“Is everything okay?”

My eyes snap to her. “Yeah, fine.”

“Would you like coffee? If you want to stay for a few days, I can call Poppy to come into work.”

“What does she do now?” Elena doesn’t live here, so the house has spent most of the past five years empty.

She smiles. “You haven’t terminated their contracts, Eli, so they get paid regardless of whether anyone is here or not.” She hooks her arm through mine. “Come on. Let’s go through to the kitchen.”

My steps slow as we reach my dad’s office. Elena sighs.

“I haven’t gone in there since …” She looks away, but not before I see the sheen of tears in her eyes. “I did love him very much, you know.”

“I know.” My voice is soft.

She clears her throat. “Enough of that. How are you and Bella doing?”

“It’s complicated.”

“So, you’re not together?”

---