Page 17 of The One Who Got Away
“Same old, same old. My mom’s trying to feed the world. My dad is enjoying retirement. He’s taken up golf of all things.”
Eloise giggled. “No, he did not.”
“You should see his collection of golf shirts. Eye searing.”
She still wouldn’t look me in the eyes.
“Bye, Melody. It was nice to see you.”
“You too, Angus. Don’t be a stranger.” She went onto her toes and kissed my cheek. “It’s really nice to see you again. Tell your parents I said hi.”
I nodded. “Definitely.”
Eloise was already heading for the door. Maybe I’d read things wrong. Of course I’d mess things up with us right away. I was such a damn idiot. I followed her down the darkened hallway.
She opened the door and stepped onto the porch, her fingers disappearing into the sleeves of her sweater.
I stepped out behind her, pulling the door half closed against the cool night air. “You better get back in.”
She nodded, still staring at her toes. The miss-matched striped socks making my belly clench. The same Eloise in so many ways. Then I tipped her chin up. And there in the overhead porch light I saw where things were so different.
“Are you leaving soon?”
She frowned. “No. At least not anytime soon.”
The words hung between us.
She could be gone with the next job she found. I knew she was too talented to be out of a job for very long. And eventually, her mom would be okay.
Too bad I couldn’t say the same for myself. And it was time to show her that.
“Good.”
Her mouth dropped open.
“That kiss wasn’t a mistake, El. If you need some time to figure that out, I’m good with it.”
I backed down the steps and smiled at her. “I missed you.”
Then I turned and walked down the driveway to my truck parked on the curved street. I wanted to look back at her, but I made the first move and now it was her turn.”
I couldn’t quite stop myself from looking up before I drove away.
She was still standing on the porch, her hands buried in her sleeves, but they were linked in front of her mouth.
I waved and took off for home.
For the first time in a damn long time, my chest didn’t feel tight.
What better way to use this one crazy life?
I was going after Eloise Cross.
Chapter 6
Eloise
“Earth to Eloise.”
