Page 22 of Hazel and Elijah Find Out: First They F*cked Around

“Hi.” Elijah grinned down at me.

“Hi.” I sighed.

“Can we join you?”

I opened my mouth to answer, but Remi stood. “Sure thing, take my seat.”

“Brooks, you gonna give me your seat?” Sterling asked, his usual flirtatious smirk and brilliantly blue gaze focused on Nora.

“No, he will not,” she answered.

He grabbed an empty chair from a nearby empty table. “Nora, why are you always turning me down?”

She shrugged. “I just like to be special that way.”

But that was the last I heard of their conversation, because Elijah had lowered into the seat next to me. He scraped it closer, making room for two new chairs. He was near enough that I could smell his oaky cologne.

“Hi,” I said again. Warmth spread up my neck and cheeks. How did I usually start conversations? I suddenly couldn’t remember.

He rubbed the back of his neck. “Hi. How was the rest of your week?”

“Good. Busy. You?”

“Good. Chill.” With jerky movements, he tugged the sleeves of his jacket down, even though they didn’t need it. “I hear the auction is coming together.”

“It is. Thank you for volunteering your time, and on your vacation, too. That’s so nice of you.”

“I’m happy to. I like animals.” He pulled his sleeves down again, before exhaling and leaning back in his chair.

I tried to do the same, but as quiet settled between us, my nerves made me shift and fidget with my hair.

“I’m surprised how quickly you scheduled the auction. It’s only five weeks away. Has planning it that quickly been a problem?”

Part of me was disappointed with our professional conversation. The other part of me was happy he was making conversation at all, because I wasn’t supplying anything. “Honestly, Nora, Sterling, and Ben have totally taken that over—which I appreciate. So, I really don’t know.”

The uncomfortable silence came back. It was probably only a few seconds, but it felt like an eternity. I needed to speak—it was arguably my turn.

“I…” I didn’t know what I would say next.I didn’t mean to blow you offfelt too blunt.I missed youwas hive inducing.I don’t know what I’m doingwas way too embarrassing. Finally, I forced out, “I’m glad you’re here.”

The corner of his mouth twitched as amusement warmed his green eyes. “I am, too.”

“I didn’t mean to blow you off.”

Well, that happened.

“No?”

I shook my head. “I’d like to see you.”

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. “I want to see you, too, but I think we might want different things.”

“Why’s that?”

He considered me for a moment before leaning on his elbow, putting our faces within inches of each other. “Why didn’t you text me?”

I blinked, trying to register his whispered words, but they were so gentle and tender with the slightest rasp to his baritone, brushing like fingertips down my spine.

“Or call me,” he went on. “You got my number from Ransom months ago. I was hoping you’d reach out.”

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