Page 30 of We Own Tonight
Eli and I finish the rest of the pizza as he tells me more about his niece and nephew. I love that he speaks about them with such affection. It’s great seeing him as—normal. He isn’t special sitting here in my rundown house. He’s just a regular guy. A guy who eats pizza and talks about how much he loves annoying his sister-in-law.
We cover more about my job, his show, and about how happy he is to get to spend some time inTampa.
I yawn and then look at the clock. Holy shit! He’s been here for almost threehours.
Wow.
It’s been easy, fun, and filled withsmiles.
“It’s really late.” He gets to his feet and shrugs on hiscoat.
“Thanks for bringing mylicense.”
I walk him to the door, and when we get there, he turns to me. “Can I see youagain?”
“Eli . . .” I hold the door in my hand, trying to find the right words. This was fun, but this is complicated. “I don’t know if that’s such a goodidea.”
He moves closer, keeping his eyes on mine. “I was hoping you’d see that I’m not just some dick who doesn’t care. I thought we were getting somewhere, maybe even becoming friends. Seems I wasmistaken.”
“You’re not!” I say quickly and grip his arm. “I’m being crazy, and I’m sorry. The truth is—” I sigh and decide to give him the truth. “You scare me. I’m not a one-night stand kind of girl. I have a lot, and I mean a lot, of shit going on in my life. Things that take up all my headspace, and I just don’t have room for more.” I take a deep breath, willing myself to continue. “I’ve had a lot of fun tonight with you, though. Honestly, it’s been great talking, and yes, there’ssomething. . .”
His smile is effortless as he leans in. “Listen, I head back to New York in a few weeks, but I’m staying around Tampa until then. I want to see youagain.”
“Why?” I ask with completebewilderment.
“Because regardless of how hard you’re pushing me away, I can’t help but want to see you more. I liked hanging out, I don’t get this with anyone but my brother. You don’t treat me like I’m different.” Eli winks. “Think aboutit.”
He leans in and kisses my cheek before turning and walking down the porch steps. I stand like a statue, unsure of whether I could find my voice if I wanted to. I watch Eli walk to his car, not expecting him to turn around. When he does, he grins again and adds, “Besides, I know where you live and work, I’m sure we’ll run into each other again anyway. Wikipedia should mention I’m relentless in pursuing what Iwant.”
My lips part, but he’s in his car before I canspeak.
Damn it. This was not how that was supposed togo.
Chapter Nine
Heather
“You’re shitting me!”Nicole yells as she almost drops her glass of wine. “I’m going to rub myself all over yourcouch.”
“Youwould.”
We’re at her lush apartment in downtown Tampa working on killing off our second bottle of wine. I spent all day at the hospital with Stephanie and then refused to go home. So, instead of answering any of her twenty texts, I camehere.
“What is wrong with you?” Nicole has probably asked me that ten times since I gothere.
“Nothing is wrong with me! I’m being realistic. If Matt, who was a local cop that I’ve known for almost my whole life left because of Steph, what do you think an international superstar is going to do? Huh? Have you thought aboutthat?”
“You’re sodumb.”
“You’ve been telling me that for a long time.” I huff and take another gulp of wine. I get that she thinks I’m foolish, but I can’t open myself up like that again. I’d be asking for my heart to be broken. I’d rather not. “There’s no way that Eli is going to stick around Tampa, and I’m never going to move away fromSteph.”
Nicole takes the glass from my hand and places it on the table. Her eyes are soft, but I know what’s coming. She’s going to lay into me something fierce. “I’ve watched you make mistakes before, and I haven’t said shit. Not this time. I’m telling you right now that if you don’t do this, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life. You can’t tell me that you don’t feel something forhim.”
“I don’t know what Ifeel.”
“Yes, you do. You had a crazy night with him, and it threw you for a loop. I get it. You’re the straight-laced one of us. You don’t do wild, and you don’t take risks. Life has been a series of heartbreaks for you. I know this. We all do, but fuck, Heather, you have to live! There’s no reason that you can’t actuallylivethe life you’ve beengiven.”
Tears form, and my heart aches. I know she loves me and what she said is all true, but damn it, I hate her for it. I do the best I can, and I don’t know how many times I can be hurt before I finally haveenough.
