Page 20 of The One Who Risked it All

I couldn’t help but laugh, even as I rolled my eyes. As we traded more stories and jokes, punctuated by the boys’ excited chatter from the backseat, I felt my guard slipping. It was so easy, so natural, to fall back into this pattern with Eli. The way he smiled when he teased, the way he didn’t take himself too seriously.

But that small, protective voice in my head niggled at me. I couldn’t get too comfortable. This was temporary. He hadn’t changed.

I tried to heed that voice, anchoring myself in reality. Yet as Eli’s laughter filled the truck, warm and genuine, it was like stepping into a memory—a time when things were simpler, and my heart wasn’t weighed down by caution.

I had to stop. I had to focus on the kids.

Even so, when we pulled into the Dairy Freeze lot and Eli glanced at me with that familiar twinkle in his eyes, I knew I was fighting a losing battle.

The boys were practically vibrating with excitement. As we approached the ice cream counter, the sweet scent of sugar cones and vanilla wafted through the air.

“Alright, troops,” Eli announced, clapping his hands together. “Who’s ready for some ice cream?”

A chorus of enthusiastic cheers erupted from the boys. I couldn’t help but smile at their unbridled joy.

“I want chocolate!” Alex declared confidently.

Linc nodded vigorously. “Me too! With sprinkles!”

Joey, however, looked overwhelmed by the colorful array of flavors displayed behind the glass. His little brow furrowed as he stood on his tiptoes, trying to get a better view.

Without missing a beat, Eli swooped in. “Here, buddy, let me help you out,” he said, lifting Joey effortlessly onto his hip. “What looks good to you?”

As Eli patiently pointed out different flavors to Joey, explaining each one with animated descriptions, a warmth bloomed in my chest. It was a scene so achingly domestic, so natural, that for a second I let myself imagine what it would be like if things were different between us. If we weren’t carrying the weight of our families’ feud, if Eli wasn’t... well, Eli.

I shook off the thought, focusing instead on helping Alex and Linc decide between toppings. But as I stole glances at Eli and Joey, I couldn’t quite squash the longing that welled up inside me.

“What about you, Carla?” Eli’s voice broke through my reverie. “Still a mint chocolate chip girl?”

I blinked, surprised he remembered. “Uh, yeah. Old habits die hard, I guess.”

He grinned, that heart-stopping smile I remembered all too well. “Some things never change.”

And maybe some things could. That stubborn glimmer of hope flashed again, nestled in the center of my chest.

With our ice creams in hand, we settled at a nearby picnic table. The boys dove into their treats with gusto, their faces quickly becoming sticky messes of chocolate and sprinkles.

“So,” Eli said, turning to the kids, “who’s got the coolest superpower? Spider-Man or Superman?”

This launched an animated debate among the boys, each passionately defending their favorite hero. As they chattered away, I found my gaze drawn to Eli. He was listening intently to each child’s argument, nodding seriously as if this were the most important discussion in the world.

Suddenly, he looked up, catching me mid-stare. Instead of the cocky smirk I expected, he offered a warm, genuine smile that sent my heart into overdrive. I quickly averted my eyes, focusing intently on my rapidly melting ice cream.

But even as I tried to find my resolve, I could feel my carefully constructed walls beginning to crumble.

The afternoon sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the restaurant’s outdoor seating area. I watched as the golden light caught Eli’s profile, highlighting the strong line of his jaw and the crinkles around his eyes as he laughed at one of Joey’s nonsensical jokes. My chest tightened with a familiar ache.

“Earth to Carla,” Eli’s voice cut through my thoughts. “You okay there? You’re looking a little spaced out.”

I forced a smile, hoping it didn’t look as strained as it felt. “Just thinking about all the superhero homework I need to do to keep up with these guys.”

Eli chuckled, his eyes twinkling. “Don’t worry, I’ll give you a crash course. Lesson one: capes are cool, but totally impractical.”

The boys erupted into giggles, and I couldn’t help but join in. As I watched Eli interact with them, I was struck by how natural he seemed, how effortlessly he had slipped into this role. It was a far cry from the reckless teenager I remembered.

“Alright, superheroes,” I announced, standing up and gathering our trash. “Time to head back to base. Your parents are planning to call tonight!”

As we walked to the car, Alex tugged on my sleeve. “Can we do this again tomorrow, Miss Carla? Please?”

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