Page 27 of Three Rules I'd Never Break

“Love you too. Bye, Dad.”

Things with my dad weren’t perfect, but I knew he loved me. I’d learned to be content with that.

Eli’s knock was the perfect distraction.

I pulled open the back door, not hiding my eagerness to see him. “Hi.”

He tipped his hat. “Miss Carter.”

That little greeting would work its way into my dreams for sure. “How are you?”

“Not bad. Can’t really stay to talk, but I wanted to make sure things were quiet around here.”

“Uneventful. I was going to do a little reading before bed.”

“Anything good?”

“Tandy gave me one of her books.”

Eli rolled his eyes. “That woman and her books. I think she asks every man she meets to pose on her covers.”

“Every man? I think maybe just the ones who look good without a shirt.” It should’ve occurred to me based on his comment that he’d been asked to pose for a cover. I might’ve phrased my comment differently.

He kicked at the rock he’d pulled out of the doorway days ago before looking up. “You think so?”

“Absolutely. Have you seen her covers?” I pointed back toward my room. “Let me grab the book.”

“No. There’s no need. I believe you.” He stepped back. “I’ll talk to you later.”

“Thanks for stopping by.”

He nodded. “Thanks for the compliment.”

After that conversation, I’d be doing a lot more wondering about how Eli looked without a shirt and a lot less reading.

* * *

The next night,just after closing, Eli texted again.Where did you grow up?

I stared at the question, wishing he hadn’t asked a question that was hard to answer.The answer is sort of complicated, but I graduated from high school in a suburb of Dallas. My dad and stepmom now live in Colorado.

Hoping he didn’t ask any follow-up questions on that topic, I sent him a text.Tessa mentioned that y’all grew up together, so I guess you’ve lived here a while.

All my life. I won’t be making the rounds at the strip mall until late, so I’ll just drive by without knocking. That wasn’t good news.

Hope work goes well.

He sent a happy face. That was new.

* * *

Sunday morning,I slept in. It was a rare treat. Usually, my brain wouldn’t let me stay asleep that long. The downside was that the doughnut shop was packed. I grabbed a coffee and doughnut to go.

Scrolling through decorating ideas online, I tried to decide what to do with my day. Going to the house was on my agenda, but otherwise, I had nothing to do.

A text from Eli popped up on my screen, and it made me smile.What do you put in your coffee?

His random text questions were entertaining.

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