Page 51 of Three Rules I'd Never Break

“It’s only a few more weeks.” Weeks sounded shorter than months, and I hoped that would end the conversation.

“What if I found you a place to live for those few weeks?”

I pulled my hand away from his. “I don’t need you finding me a place to live.”

He rubbed his jaw. “I don’t like you living there.”

“It’s not your choice, Eli. I’m an adult. I can decide where I want to live.” I folded my arms, angry that this perfectly romantic evening was being soured by this disagreement.

His boot bumped my foot. “I know it’s your choice. And I’m not trying to dictate what you should do. But if money is the reason, I’d be willing to help with that.”

“No. I can’t let you do that. There hasn’t been a hint of trouble at the store.”

He leveled a gaze at me. “When I responded to that alarm, you were in a towel. What if that had been an intruder?”

“I seriously doubt bad guys would want to break in to steal lingerie.”

“Burglars aren’t expecting people to be in those stores after hours. And when they get surprised, the results are sometimes tragic.” He clenched his jaw. “But I’ll drop it.”

“Thank you. I’ll think about what you said.”

He nodded, but it was obvious he wasn’t happy with that. “Tell me about the house.”

“They’ve made a lot of progress. Soon, if you have time, I’ll give you the grand tour.”

He laid an open hand on the table, and I rested my hand on his.

“I’d like that.”

* * *

By the end of dinner,I’d almost forgotten about our little spat. Almost. Eli could be opinionated, and maybe I didn’t agree with him all the time, but I still liked him.

We strolled to his truck hand in hand.

He opened my door like he always did, but instead of helping me in, he pulled me close. “I have a surprise for you. There is someone I want you to meet.”

I couldn’t even guess who he wanted me to meet. “Okay.” I glanced around.

“Not here. Hop in.”

I buckled into my seat. “You know how to build anticipation.”

He drove down the block and turned into Tessa’s complex.

“Are we going to Tessa’s?”

“Yep.” He ran around and opened my door. “She played sitter for me.”

Blood pooled in my toes, and I stopped. A sitter? Eli had a kid? And Tessa hadn’t told me? Eli hadn’t told me! I softened my shocked expression, trying to figure out what to say.

Eli let loose a deep belly laugh, and I snapped out of my tangle of thoughts.

“What’s funny?” I’d clearly missed something.

He worked to catch his breath. When he did, he squeezed my hand. “I didn’t think about how it sounded until I saw your face. Sorry about that. I donothave a child. I’m not keeping those kinds of secrets.” After tugging me into a hug, he kissed the top of my head. “Didn’t mean to shock you.”

“It wouldn’t be a deal breaker.” There was so much about my past I hadn’t told Eli, and because of my past, I would’ve embraced the child without question. “Kids are great. I was just surprised. And I wondered why it hadn’t come up.”

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