Page 36 of Three Rules I'd Never Break

After a half hour, I started to grow concerned. If there wasn’t a lull soon, I wouldn’t get a chance to talk to Tessa before it was time to open my store.

She walked up, wiping her hands on her apron. “I probably have about two minutes until more people arrive. I want to hear how it went last night. You had fun?”

“I did. Joji is a hoot. She told me all about her travels.”

That part was true. Joji had told me all about her travels and how she fell in love with Clint. But that part of the evening wasn’t what had Tessa so curious. I wasn’t dumb, but I could act dumb.

Tessa propped her fists on her hips. “Delaney Carter, tell me about Eli.”

“He was there.”

“And?” She leaned closer, eagerness dancing as twinkles in her eyes. “Did he talk to you?”

“Did you know Joji was going to invite me over and conveniently have to leave?”

She shook her head, grinning. “No, but that sounds like Joji. She’s probably been talking to Cami.”

“Probably. Anyway, Eli was wrenching on his Datsun Z series. I think that’s what it’s called. Sweet car.” I walked to the coffee station and filled my mug, making her wait. “He told me all about it. The cylinders all in a line. How many miles it has on it. You were a hundred percent right about him talking about cars. He’s like a walking database.”

“That’s Eli. Did anythinghappen?”

If I didn’t want her opinion, I might’ve made her wait longer, but instead, I held up my phone. “I woke up to this message.”

Her jaw fell open, then she beamed. “Yay!”

“That’s what I thought until I got to the talk to you soon part.”

She handed back my phone. “Be patient with Eli. It sure doesn’t seem to me like he’s losing interest. I’m guessing he’ll be in touch soon.”

“You think so? I really hope. We’ve been texting, but...” I shrugged. I really just wanted him to ask me out.

She nodded, then looked at the door as it opened. “He’ll call you soon, I bet.”

“Thanks. I need to run. Issa can’t work today, so I need to be there.” I waved as I ran out the door. Patience. I needed that word tattooed on the back of my hand. Maybe both of them. My plan and patience didn’t mesh together all that well. But if this situation required patience, I’d ditch my plan.

* * *

That afternoonas I was closing the shop, my phone dinged the special notification I’d set for Eli. Yes, I’d turned on my sound. Missing his texts wasn’t an option.

You said you wouldn’t look good bald. I disagree. Even if all your hair fell out, you’d be beautiful.

I stared at his text a long second before responding.You know how to make a woman smile.

Not all of them.

I narrowed my answer.You know how to make me smile.

Good. He was probably wearing that signature Gallagher grin.Mind if I call you later?

I’d love that. Using the L word was a poor choice, but I typed without thinking, and it wasn’t a lie.

I hurried through the closing routine, then drove out to the house before grabbing dinner and heading home. The whole time, my phone was in my pocket or next to me.

Of course, with Eli’s impeccable timing, he called just as I stepped out of the shower. With a towel wrapped around me, I answered, trying to sound dressed. “Hey.”

“Did I catch you at a bad time?”

“No. This is great.” I switched it to speaker and hurriedly put on clothes.

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