Page 68 of We Own Tonight
Ishrug.
She turns her gaze back to Eli and huffs. “I know he’s married and all, but seriously, your brother has always been myfavorite.”
Eli and Nicole are sitting on the table portion of the picnic table, and he pulls me so I’m sitting between his legs. I rest my hand on his thigh as they talk about how his sister-in-law would laugh so hard she’d pee herself hearing people talk about Randy. He tried to tell Nicole that he isn’t all that special, but she’s a dog with a bone, and there’s no changing hermind.
Nicole heads inside for another drink and then the guys come over, striking up a conversation with Eli. I sit, bored and then I encourage him to go look at whatever the hell they’re talking about. The three guys walk away, and I can’t wipe the smile off my face. He looks so domestic right now, and it’sadorable.
“Look what I got,” Nicole calls me over by holding the sangria she’s famousfor.
“You’re thebest.”
I take the glass, and we both take a seat away from everyone. “I think he really likes you, babe,” Nicole says as she watches me watchEli.
“Yeah?”
She smiles. “He’s a good guy. Keep your heart open to him. I know you guys have a ton of obstacles, but he passes the best friendtest.”
I think Nicole forgets we’re almost forty, and I don’t need her approval. Still, I’m glad I have it. She tends to see through people’s bullshit easier than anyone else. She also would never say it if she didn’t meanit.
“I love you.” I pull herclose.
“I love you even though I’m jealous you’re sleeping with a God eachnight.”
“What about yourthreesome?”
She scoffs. “I’m over those two, I think they wanted to fuck each other more than they wanted to fuck me, and if I’m taking two men to bed, I better be the center of the world. I have my eye on someoneelse.”
My jaw falls slack, even though I’m not sure why. This is Nicole. She’s always been this way, and I’d be worried if she weren’t. “I can only imagine what the hell you’re up tonow.”
Danielle comes over and touches my shoulder. “I can’t believe you kept this fromus.”
I wanted to keep Eli to myself for as long as possible. Plus, I don’t talk to them as much as I talk to Nicole. They’re in marriages that are hanging on by a thread, and their advice is always so offbase.
“Oh, please,” Nic pipes up. “Wouldn’t you want to keep that a secret? Look at him, he’s Eli Walsh. If I had him in my bed, he’d never leave, maybe bathroom breaks, but then back to the good stuff.” She winks at me andgrins.
“Well, cat’s out of the bag now, tell us every glorious detail,” Kristin says through agiggle.
We sit like we’re kids again, gossiping about our first kiss, and I divulge my last few weeks withEli.
“How about wego to my place tonight?” Elioffers.
So far, he’s stayed at my house each night. I don’t know if it was him trying to fit into my world or show he’s fairly normal, but I’ve appreciated it. Tonight, though, I want to show him the same. His world and my world will need to mesh, and that won’t happen by forcing him to fit only in myspace.
“I’d likethat.”
Eli takes my hand and kisses the top of it. “I’m going to like seeing you in myhome.”
I like that he wants me there at all. I want to make him happy, too. Today was amazing. I knew he was uncomfortable at first, but he joked with my friends, did his best to put up with their husbands, and was all around perfect. I’d catch him watching me, smiling, or finding little ways to touch me. He was taking care of me without me even realizingit.
“Thank you fortoday.”
“I had fun, your friends aregreat.”
“They’re something allright.”
Eli laughs. “Nicole genuinely lovesyou.”
“I’m lucky to have her.” As much as she drives me batshit crazy, I could never imagine life without her. “All of them really, but Nicole and I have always been theclosest.”
