Page 71 of Three Rules I'd Never Break

“Not really. There is nothing I can do right now anyway.” I glanced back at my car. “I don’t think I even turned off my engine.”

“I did.” Eli patted his pocket. “Your keys are here.”

“Want to stay at my place?” She raised her eyebrows. “I’ll make you something good to eat.”

“She’s staying at my house.” Eli snapped out the response, then looked down at me. “Aren’t you?”

“Yeah, but thanks for the offer, Tessa. Eli and I need to talk about some stuff.”

“That’s an understatement.” She winked. “Call if you need anything.” Tessa walked over to where Cami was talking to Harper.

I turned and faced Eli. “You aren’t mad at me?”

“Not anymore. I was, but I understand about your rules.”

I’d never told Eli about my rules. “How did you know about my rules?”

“Let’s grab dinner and talk at the house.” He laced his fingers with mine.

I scanned the road for his vehicle. His Datsun was parked behind my car.

“You got it running!”

“Yep. I took some vacation time and finished up the last few things. I was headed to your store to offer you a ride and demand—and then beg—you to talk to me.”

“I really thought you were lying to me.”

“Just because no one shops for their mother in a lingerie store? You underestimate my awkwardness. I had a gift certificate that Cami and Harper gave me for Christmas. What else was I supposed to do with it? Shop for you? I knew better than to do that. And just for the record, I had no idea what was in the bag. I was picking it up for my dad. He said he was too busy to make it over there, but I think he wanted to avoid walking into the lingerie store. No offense to your store.”

“I should’ve trusted you.”

“Yep.” He pulled my keys out of his pocket. “I have an idea. Tessa, Cami! Will y’all drive Delaney’s car to the goat farm? I want to show off my car.”

Tessa grinned. “Sure thing.”

Eli helped me into the passenger seat. “We’ll take the long way to go get dinner, and we won’t talk about rules until later. Deal?”

“Deal.” I kept hold of his arm. But the words I wanted to say didn’t seem sufficient to convey how I felt.

He squatted beside the car, then gave me a quick kiss. “Dinner first, then we’ll talk.”

“I love you. I’m not sure I could ever accurately describe how it felt to have you walk up behind me. I needed you, and you were there. Quiet and strong was exactly what I needed in that moment.”

“I can guess how it felt. When you leaned back into me, I knew we’d be okay. I know how much that house means to you and wish I could rebuild it with a snap of my fingers, but having you is so much more important to me.”

The disappointment made it clear what was most important. “I think the house must’ve already been on fire when I drove by on the way to your place. The firetrucks weren’t here yet. I would’ve noticed that I think. Maybe not. But the house was too far gone when I got here for it to have started only minutes before. I wasn’t at your place all that long.” I rested my head against him. “I was in such a hurry to see you and to apologize that I didn’t even look at my house. I just wanted to find you.”

He cupped my cheek. “I’m here.”

I kissed his palm. “Tell me about your car.” Talking about the house would only spawn tears.

“Yes, ma’am.”

Love wasn’t a mushy feeling anymore. It wasn’t butterflies flapping around in my stomach, tingles dancing on my skin, or a happily ever after. Love was patient and kind, even when I hadn’t been.

Chapter 25

Snuggled on the couch, I rested my head on Eli’s shoulder.

---