Page 57 of Eat Your Heart Out
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Gerard
I used my phone to check on Ali, who was still on the top deck as we sailed into the harbor. I’d wanted to hug her, but she’d sent me away. If I saw her break down, though, I would dash to her. For the time, she seemed sad and needed space, so I would respect that.
In the library, I tried to read, but my phone rang. I grabbed it and put my book away as I saw Elon’s name on the screen. We said a quick hello, then I asked, “What’s going on?”
“I set up a CEO for my business, so I have more free time.”
I sat back. “What’s the plan, then?”
“I… I’m going to find Clarissa and apologize.”
My eyebrows rose. Elon had a side nonprofit business that ensured all women who came to his practice who didn’t have the cash could still receive medical care, free of charge. He volunteered more than I ever did, and I’d never heard him breathe a bad word about anyone. I couldn’t see why he would need to apologize, so I asked, “For what?”
“I never told you the whole story, and my conscience won’t let me rest until I say I’m sorry.”
“You’re being mysterious.” I tried to imagine what might have happened between Clarissa and him. If he’d dated her without the rest of us knowing, I was shocked he’d pulled it off. As a teenager, I’d not been able to keep one thing to myself.
“I don’t mean to be. Her parents have been close-lipped about her whereabouts, so I hired a private investigator.”
As a teenager, whenever I’d seen Elon and Clarissa together, they’d both stormed off immediately, indicating they wanted nothing to do with each other. However, if he needed to involve detectives, that meant she truly didn’t want to be found. “That sounds extreme.”
“If she closes the door in my face, I will have to accept that, but I want to apologize.”
Well, that sounded like Elon, though I couldn’t think of what might have happened. “You must have done something that’s really eating you up.”
“I… told her we were a mistake. I said that because I was a fucking snob when I was twenty. And for years now, the look on her face when I told her that has haunted me.”
My brain buzzed. They’d dated. Wow. “Well, good luck.”
“Thanks. Hopefully, I hear something soon. How’s it going with Ali?”
My skin heated. I didn’t want to discuss Ali or our problems. It all felt complicated. I swallowed hard. “She’s great. She’s offbeat funny, keeps things in perspective, and is making the trip… interesting.” And those were just a few of the reasons why I loved her. But I also understood that she needed time, and I needed to convince her to give us a shot when she was ready.
“Good luck to you, then,” Elon said.
My skin prickled. I had no idea how to convince Ali that what was happening between us was good. “We’re docked. Look, I’ll talk to you soon.”
We hung up, and I hopped out of my seat. It was time to figure out what would happen next.
