Page 40 of If Tomorrow Never Comes

They approached the small crowd of people lined up at the window. Jamie was there, taking his credit card back from the woman at the window and stepping aside. He hadn’t looked up yet, tucking his card into his wallet. When he did, his gaze found Elliott and Stephen right away. He seemed to consider what to do, then approached them.

“Not a fan of carrot sticks and celery?” Elliott asked. She hoped it sounded casual.

One corner of his mouth tipped up. “Not as a meal.”

“You gotta tell your girlfriend to stop picking this place, man,” Stephen said.

Jamie shrugged. “We all take turns. Plus, I think we single-handedly keep this taco truck in business.”

“Fair point.”

“I thought you said you couldn’t come tonight,” Jamie said mildly.

“I wasn’t planning on it,” Stephen returned, then grinned at Elliott. “But I saw this one’s car at Starbucks on my way home and thought a change of plans was in order.”

Elliott’s cheeks warmed, and she looked between the two men. “I’m glad you brought me. Mostly because I love tacos.”

Stephen laughed and they took a step forward as the line moved. Jamie stayed where he was.

“I’d better wait over there. See you guys in there.” He turned and walked to wait near the pick-up window.

“He’s in a weird mood,” Stephen muttered, then shrugged. “Anyway, I’m really glad you came.”

“Me too. Thanks for the invite.”

His blue eyes met hers. “Could I have your number? Maybe we can hang out sometime. Just you and me.”

She had the urge to glance at Jamie. Had he heard that?

It doesn’t matter, does it? He isn’t available.

Jamie wasn’t available and she was. Stephen was nice and seemed interested in her. What did she have to lose?

“Sure. I’d like that.”

The rest of the night was the best evening Elliott had spent since moving here, until it wasn’t.

After dinner, the group had migrated to the patio and continued ordering drinks. Conversation was lively and Elliott finally relaxed, settling in and getting to know everyone better.

Things were in full swing when Tiffany, who was a hilarious and loud drunk, sidled up to Elliott and placed both hands on her shoulders. She’d done the same ten minutes ago, declaring Elliott a striking image of Jennifer Lawrence and how had she not noticed that before, then flitted off to talk to someone else.

“Elliott.”

Her face was so serious and wide-eyed as she balanced herself, Elliott couldn’t help but laugh. “Tiffany.”

Tiffany let out a long, beleaguered sigh. “I have to know. Did you ever find that guy?”

Oh, shit.

“Guy?” Carly materialized beside them. “What guy?”

Shit, shit,shit. “No. Um, that’s ... No. It wasn’t a big deal.” Okay, deflectbetter.

“What guy?” Carly demanded, louder. A few of the others stopped talking.

Tiffany’s eyes watered. “Oh my gosh. So when Elliott was in the hospital, she kept talking about this guy. They met the night before her transplant, and it was like love at first sight. She couldn’t stop thinking about him. But then she was in the hospital for months, and she didn’t have his number.”

Carly’s jaw dropped open. “No!”

---