Page 76 of An Unexpected Kind of Love

For a moment, calm washes over me. Reassurance, even.

But when I turn to go back in, it’s not Blake who’s come after me, but Eli.

I stop short, eyeing him. Of course he looks incredible. Golden hair, tanned, blue eyes. He looks every bit the upcoming lawyer in his trim blue shirt, and I wonder how on earth we were together for so long, and what he saw in me. He’s sophisticated in his business attire, while I’m a step up from torn jeans and a faded T-shirt.

“I said I’d come check on you,” he offers.

I grit my teeth together, stuffing my hands into my pockets. My shoulders are tight. My chest is tight. Everything’s too tight, including my skin.

“You seem out of sorts.”

“I’m fine.” I frown at him. “No thanks to you, by the way. What was that call about?”

“I told you—we had a fight. And I needed someone to talk to.” His gaze is unwavering, that way he has of melting me from the inside despite my anger. “And like I also told you, you were always good at listening.”

“You need more friends who’re good listeners.”

“True. But you’re the best one. And the best listener too.”

Rolling my eyes, I shake my head. “I don’t know what’s wrong with you. You’re not even apologizing for that call. And— Did you know I was away when you made that call?”

He opens his mouth to protest, thinks better of it, and has the decency to redden. “I might’ve.”

“Hmmph.” I cross my arms across my chest. “So you’re deliberately trying to fuck with something good I have going on in my life.”

“I was drunk and not thinking clearly. Not myself.”

I frown at him. “Wouldn’t it be far more effective to talk to Ryan, the man you were fighting with? To resolve things?”

Eli’s quiet, contemplating me. He looks deflated all of a sudden. And…sad?

I peer at him skeptically, not sure what ploy he’s onto now. “What?” I snap.

“We broke up,” Eli says quietly, staring in the vicinity of our feet.

Blood pounds in my ears as I try to absorb this news. Am I hearing right?

“What?” Startled, I stare hard at him. Stupid oxygen, leaving my body faster than I’m taking it in.

“After the fight. When we talked. I wanted to tell you. It’s not official news yet. But I thought you should know.”

I continue to stare at him. “What do you mean you broke up? Not—certainly not because of me.”

Eli hesitates. “Maybe in part, if I’m honest.”

My frown returns.

Is he actually serious? Eli’s timing is absolute shit. If he was saying this to Aubrey of six months ago, my heart would be in my mouth over the possibility of getting back together. But current me has moved on. Even with the horrible fact that Blake’s going back to America for good. Eli wanting me now that I have someone else is just classic. He’s just bloody jealous.

“Eli, you need to sort yourself out. I’m seeing Blake, and we have something important. Something important to me.”

Eli’s face shifts to disappointment, his gaze lingering.

At last Blake comes out and makes a direct path to me, worry plain across his face.

Unable to say any more, I just look at Eli as Blake joins us, taking my hand.

“I should go back in. See you soon,” Eli says, disappearing back into the restaurant.

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