Page 8 of Chasing Stars
MILES
Iarrive at Ellie’s at eight-thirty on Saturday morning. I forgot to get Jenna’s number last night, so I’m really taking a chance on her being awake this early. I’m also taking a chance on a coffee order. On my way over, I stopped by Coffee Tyme and got two options for Jenna to choose from. I climb Ellie’s front steps and hear laughter through the front door before I even knock.
Having grown up on this street, I’ve known Ellie my entire life. My parents still live across the street, but I don’t feel like I can just walk into Ellie’s house the way Liam does. I balance the two to-go cups in one hand and grab the crab-shaped door knocker with the other.
“Come in!” Robert’s jovial shout carries outside.
Juggling the coffees, I open the front door and peer down the small hallway to the kitchen. Jenna is laughing—a true, genuine belly laugh—as she wipes her eyes. She is absolutely radiant when she laughs. The realization startles me. Ellie and Robert sit side by side and they are laughing too. I wonder what I missed that was so funny. “Good morning,” I say, prompting everyone to look up.
“Oh! Hi.” Jenna smiles and stands. She is wearing a pair of lounge shorts and an old, hooded sweatshirt that says Drexel University. Seeming self-conscious, she pushes her bangs out of her face. Catching her off guard awakens something in me I don’t have a name for—a pull that is equal parts warmth and curiosity. “I didn’t expect you so early on a Saturday,” she admits. “Or I would have been ready.”
I shake my head. “Totally fine. I, uh, forgot to get your number yesterday so…” I trail off, keenly aware that Ellie and Robert haven’t taken their eyes off us.
“What’s that?” Jenna asks, eyeing the cups I’m holding.
I shift awkwardly and set them on the table. “I didn’t know what you liked, so…I got two. You can choose. I got just a regular coffee with cream and sugar, or a pumpkin spice latte.” I raise my eyebrows, hoping that one of those will suffice.
“Ooh. Pumpkin spice, please. I haven’t had one yet this season.” She picks up the cup with PSL scribbled on the side and inhales before taking a sip. This Jenna is an entirely different person than the one I met last night. Unfortunately, that only makes me more interested in getting to know her. Against all my better judgment.
“So, what is on your agenda today?” Ellie asks me, pointedly.
“I thought I’d bring Jenna back to the house so we can assess it for the list price. We can possibly see about her staying there in the meantime,” I say, glancing at Jenna for her approval.
She nods and smiles in between blowing on her coffee. “Great. Yes. Let’s do it.” She pushes her chair in. “Ellie, Robert, thank you for breakfast. And thank you for letting me impose last night.” She turns to me. “I’ll get ready as quickly as possible.” Picking her coffee up, she turns and heads up the front staircase.
I rock back and forth on my heels, bracing for the grilling that I sense coming. Ellie is known for her unsolicited advice.
“So, Miles,” Ellie starts.There it is.
I turn to her, unable to hide my amusement. “Ellie.” I grin.
“Just what are you planning to do with Jenna?” She cuts right to the chase. Ellie knows I’ve been a bit of a serial dater since my divorce. In all honesty, it’s because I do get lonely, but I hesitate to let myself get close to someone again. It killed me that I failed at being there for my wife. I come from a close-knit family with parents who love each other—a shining example. Yet, I failed. If there’s one thing I learned from my short marriage, it’s both people have to make the conscious decision to make it work. I don’t know why, but Erin and I never seemed to be moving in the same direction. We wanted different things. I want—or wanted, since it probably won’t happennow—kids. She didn’t. She was very career-focused and didn’t care about spending time with my family. I thought she would embrace them since she left her own to live here with me when we got married, but no. It was a constant battle of wills.
After a year of disagreement, Erin said she wanted out. Small town life was not for her. It crushed me, but I didn’t let anyone see that. Instead, I threw myself headlong into distractions—work, surfing, and casual dating only. That’s why Ellie is probing me now.
“I’m not doing anything, Ellie, I promise.” I hold up my hands. “I get the feeling she’s had a hard time. I’m just trying to help her out.” I raise my eyebrows at the two of them. “I know you think I’m some sort of Casanova, but believe it or not, I don’t try to take homeeverywoman I meet. Otherwise, she might’ve just come home with me last night.” I chuckle at my own joke.
Ellie and Robert don’t get a chance to respond before Jenna comes thundering down the stairs. “Who would’ve gone home with you last night?” she asks, eyeing me suspiciously.
“Oh, my friend’s puppy. I really want another dog, but I just don’t have the time to devote to two of them.” I’m impressed with my own recovery and shoot a warning glance toward Ellie.
Jenna gives me a look like she doesn’t quite believe me. “You know, they say dogs need companions, just like people.”
“Pete’s fine. He doesn’t need a companion.” I chuckle, taking a sip of my coffee.
“Your dog’s name is Pete?” Jenna asks with a giggle.
“Yep. He’s a Boxer. It suits him. Come on, let’s go.” I salute Ellie and Robert. “Thanks again, guys.”
Ellie and Robert rise from their chairs and come around the table. Robert pats Jenna’s shoulder. “It was nice to meet you, dear,” he says, excusing himself to the living room while we all walk to the door.
At the front door, Ellie pulls Jenna into a hug. “Think about what I said about your aunt,” she whispers as she pulls away.
“I will, I promise,” Jenna says, pulling back and moving to pick up her bag. She stops when she sees I’m already holding it. She gives me one of those cute, annoyed smiles but doesn’t try to take it from me.
Once we’re in the car, I glance at Jenna. “So, what’s this about an aunt?” I ask casually.
She sighs. “My aunt Leona lives here. She is my dad’s older sister…but I haven’t seen her since about a year after my dad died. My cousin Jake went to Drexel with me, so I’ve seen him on occasion and kept up with him on Facebook…but we’re not exactly friends. I think he’s a personal trainer or something. Ellie thinks I should reconnect with them since they’re my only family left.” Jenna fidgets with her seat belt strap. “I’m just not sure where I’d start.”
