Page 19 of The Lonely Hearts Guide

Elliot flinched, because Alexander’s words were like pity personified. He didn’t want Alexander’s pity. He wasn’t entirely sure what he wanted from Alexander, but of all the things he could wish for, he wished for pity the least. Alexander turned and shut the door behind them, locking the knob and protecting them from the outside world. Alexander’s hand patted at the wall, half his face illuminated by the small slice of glowing silver that peeked in from the skylight. When he found the light and his pale complexion became clearer, the memory of a quiet kiss shared on a ferry dock returned to him, playing out like a movie in his head.

“Mr. Alexander Davenport,” Elliot whispered. “I think I’ve missed you all my life.” He sniffled as he took in the sight of Alexander’s handsome face. His cleft chin. The way his brown eyes seemed to sparkle. The small string of freckles that rested across his cheeks and the bridge of his nose.

Elliot reached into his pocket and touched his plum jam cookie. He’d already eaten half the sugary treat the day he arrived in Genvieve, but he saved the rest for later, hoping he might share it with Alexander. The cookie served as an anchor, locking him in reality so he didn’t drift back to the frosting-filled memories he often got lost in.

Alexander had a dumbfounded grin on his face, and Elliot had to resist the urge to touch his cheek.

“I missed you, too,” he whispered, making Elliot’s heart race. “You don’t know how happy I am to see you. I was hoping you would be here.” Alexander reached for him, and as Elliot leaned into the touch, he closed his eyes, allowing himself to melt in Alexander’s palm like chocolate. “Sweet boy.”

When Elliot opened his eyes, pink light flooded into the corners, and the longer it went on the more awestruck Alexander appeared. “I’ve tried to remember you for so long. Your face has been stuck in my mind for ages.”

Squeak, squeak.

Looking down at his shoulder, Elliot noticed a small fieldmouse staring up at him. The mouse was waiting patiently, as if he wanted to give Alexander and Elliot a moment before making his presence known, but in his excitement, he’d failed in doing so.

“I believe I know you, too,” Elliot said, stroking the mouse’s head.

“He’s missed you. Ever since I showed him your picture on the cruise brochure, he hasn’t calmed down. Even at dinner, he kept trying to get away.”

Elliot looked at Alexander. “Why?”

The corner of Alexander’s mouth twitched. “He led me right to you. It’s like he knew you were here the whole time.”

“Dónde está el hombre?” Mrs. Peppercorn said, startling Elliot. He looked over his shoulder to find her staring dreamily at Rodolfo, who was staring just as dreamily at her. “Con fuego en la sangre.”

Fire flashed in Rodolfo’s eyes. “Esta aquí, mamá, y le hierve la sangre.”

“Goodness.” Mrs. Peppercorn licked her lips. “I don’t know what on Earth you just said, but I’ll do whatever you’re suggesting, and I’ll do it with a smile on my face.”

Rodolfo growled, taking a seductive step forward. “You asked me where the boy with the fire in his blood is. He’s here, mamá. He’s here, and his blood is boiling.”

Mrs. Peppercorn’s eyes widened. “Is that what that means? It’s just a line from a Spice Girls song. My friend Periwinkle plays it to no end. Well, it’s from one of their solo albums, but still.” She bit her bottom lip, causing her upper denture to dislodge. Her cheeks darkened—perhaps with shame, though she seemed fairly shameless moments earlier—and she sucked the denture back into her mouth, maneuvering it into place with her tongue. “Sorry. That wasn’t very ladylike.”

Rodolfo placed a hand on Mrs. Peppercorn’s hip and a growl escaped him. “The silky swallow of a woman without teeth is the best swallow of them all.” He leaned in and nipped at her chin. “Would you like to swallow me?”

Mrs. Peppercorn gaped at him, then she reared back her hand and slapped him in the face. “Well, I never.”

“Not yet,” Rodolfo said with a smirk, making Mrs. Peppercorn blush even brighter. “But you will.”

Mrs. Peppercorn cleared her throat and looked away. “Perhaps.”

Elliot cringed, but Alexander’s touch grounded him. When he looked back at the man, Alexander had a thoughtful expression on his handsome face.

“Would you like to be my guest this week? There are supposed to be all kinds of events. Music, movies, activities. We can get to know each other better.” Alexander took another step forward, leaving absolutely no space between them. Their hands touched, then Alexander weaved their fingers together. “Please?”

Elliot wanted that. He wanted it more than anything, but if he agreed, he would have to go in public. Mother might see them. It struck Elliot that he hadn’t truly thought his plan through. Yes, he found Mr. Alexander Davenport, but he wasn’t sure what he was meant to do next. He was on the run. He escaped his master and cut his own arm open in an effort to stay hidden. All for what, exactly? A five-minute reunion with a man he hardly knew? The entire scheme was ridiculous.

“I can’t. Mr. Davenport—”

“Alexander,” he requested. “Or Alex. Or Lexy.” Alexander’s finger touched Elliot’s chin, tugging until their gazes met. “Call me whatever you want; just say you’ll spend the week with me and Professor Plum.”

Squeak, squeak.

Professor Plum of Sugarplum Island. Missing cookies. A tearful goodbye. The moments came and went like mirages in sunlight, there one moment, gone the next. It hurt Elliot’s head anytime he tried to hold on to the memories, but he didn’t want to lose them again. He wanted them to stay.

“I want that,” Elliot finally admitted. “But I can’t. I’m not meant to be here.”

“What do you mean?”

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