Page 27 of The Story of Us
Thank God Nate didn’t laugh at her. In fact, he looked exactly how she felt. Wrecked in the best way possible.
“I should go.” He hitched his thumb over his shoulder and pointed in the opposite direction of the road to his house. “I’ll, ah, I’ll see you at KPs tomorrow for the training session?”
“I’ll be there.” Probably still grinning from ear to ear, convinced the world was made of sparkles and delights.
“Okay, great.”
Eloise floated inside, her cheeks already starting to hurt from the big grin she couldn’t stop from forming.
This was it. The beginning she’d been waiting for. Her great adventure had been right in front of her for all these years, and this time, she wouldn’t have to leave the safety of Wattle Junction or give up the job she loved.
It was perfect.
9
It was bad enough that Eloise had a fear of flying, but at least she could argue it made sense because of what had happened to her grandfather. Her other big fear? It was totally illogical.
Loads of people feared needles, but usually, it was just syringes, not sewing needles. But they hadn’t grown up with a mother who was terrible at putting her sewing supplies away. The number of times little girl Eloise had stepped on needles or pins had scarred her forever. She could tolerate knitting needles because they were big but any other type? No, thank you.
“Ouch!” She gritted her teeth and kept her eyes squeezed shut.
“Sorry, sorry!” the seamstress mumbled, her mouth full of pins as she fiddled with the neckline of Eloise’s pale pink bridesmaid’s dress. “Big boobies, huh?”
“She got them from me. Not that you can tell anymore,” Joanie called as she sipped prosecco while sitting on the lavender velvet couch. Bringing her to the fitting wasn’t Eloise’s brightest idea. But her grandmother had dropped several subtle hints before politely informing Eloise that she’d be coming whether or not she wanted her there.
“Ah, to be young again.” Joanie stood and walked over until she was right in front of Eloise. Her gaze sharpened, and Eloise imagined she was standing under a spotlight.
“Are the others not coming?” her grandmother asked.
Eloise shifted her weight from one leg to the other, earning herself a tutfrom the seamstress. “They’re doing their final fitting later this afternoon, but I’ve got art class and then kids’ sports training.”
She also didn’t need witnesses to her getting squiffy about a few needles and pins.
“So it’s just us gals this morning?”
“Yep.”
“Excellent. We need to have a little chat.”
Joanie knew about the second kiss.
If Eloise had been allowed to lift her arms, she would’ve clapped. Joanie truly was the queen of picking her moment. Waiting until Eloise couldn’t escape was a boss move.
“Oh?” Eloise aimed for nonchalance, but the word came out with a squeak. She braced herself for the interrogation. Someone must’ve seen and told Joanie. Which meant the whole town knew, but what had Eloise expected to happen after kissing Nate on the street? More importantly, what was she going to say now? Yes, she wanted it to lead to something more, but she wasn’t sure where she stood. Joanie would have Lulu on speakerphone before Eloise had even finished her sentence. Or, oh God—even worse—she’d call Nate and demand to know what his intentions were with her granddaughter. And it wouldn’t be a voice call. Joanie would absolutely FaceTime him.
Joanie finished the final mouthful of fizz from her glass. “Never, ever give up your dream for a man. Even if he is a total smoke show. Did I use that right?”
“What are you talking about?” Eloise wished they were alone.
“A smoke show is someone?—”
“I know what a smoke show is!”
Joanie huffed and crossed her arms over the top of her bright yellow quilted vest. “Have you applied for your exchange yet?”
“No.”
“Because …”
