Page 19 of Unconditionally With Me
“Oh yeah. There were constantly ‘visiting professors’ from all the top restaurants in the city who were really there to scout. That wasn’t the life Trina wanted. To be honest, neither did I.”
I shift in my seat. “What did you want?” I want to know everything about her life back then—especially her hopes and dreams.
“She almost had it,” Elle murmurs.
“Almost had what?”
“The dream.” Then she shakes her head, trying to focus. “I’m not sure you know all of this. Before we moved to New York City, Trina was the manager of a small bakery in Wilton, about an hour or so outside the city. She was so happy.”
“That was Trina’s dream. What about it appealed to you?” I probe.
“The idea of owning something where I got to know the people, where I could give back to a community,” Elle immediately answers without thinking about it.
“Then why haven’t you…” My voice trails off when I tip my head back and our eyes meet. I answer my own question. “Trina. You gave up your dream for her.”
“Not consciously. But it was easier to get work in the city where we didn’t need cars, where I could help support her by working nights so she could work mids to be with her children.” At my confusion, she explains, “When you work mids, you get done earlier. It’s easier to find childcare. Working nights had its own perks, but it can be very lonely emotionally.”
“It can also be a safe place to hide,” I surmise.
“You’re very astute.” Elle plucks a kiss from my lips.
“And you’re very sweet. Does she know that’s your dream?”
“No. I’m not certain I’ve ever shared that aloud before now,” Elle muses.
“Not even with your ex?” I grit out.
Elle snorts, and I can’t help the grin that manages to escape. “If he was standing right here and I mentioned it to Erik, I doubt he’d even remember. That was a road that he blew up, Jules.”
“I know the story from Jonas, but was it as bad as he said?”
She nods. “Worse. What do you know?”
“That both your and Trina’s exes fell for one another. Why? Is there more?”
“So much more.” She opens her mouth to say more, but they announce our flight. Her smile is wry. “Why don’t we table that one? This amazing guy is coming with me on my first vacation in forever, and I don’t want to miss the plane.”
“That’s only because this incredibly sweet woman who he’s in love with is letting him horn in on her personal time.” I put my coffee aside before reaching for hers. Standing, I take Elle’s hand to pull her to her feet. “Are you ready?”
She doesn’t answer immediately, but that’s okay because I’m lost in her eyes. “There’s another reason brown’s my favorite color,” she whispers. I tremble when I feel her fingers skim next to my temple before I feel my cheeks warm.
I pull her close to my chest where I know my heart’s pounding rapidly. Then eyes the color of perfect violets lift close to mine before I whisper, “Let’s go, babe.”
She breaks away from my hold and grabs her bag. “I’m ready.”
I quickly grab my carry-on, eager to get on that plane. I sling an arm around her shoulders to reassure her I feel the same way, but just in case, “Thank you for asking me to come with you, Elle.”
“I may be confused about me, but I’m not about you. Truth be told, I wouldn’t want to go if I didn’t have you with me.”
Thank God.
The two of us make our way out of the lounge and toward the Boeing 757 ready to carry us to our next adventure.
Chapter 8
~Eleanor~
“There is no way I can afford this place,” I say flatly when Julian and I enter our suite at the Fairmont Olympic in downtown Seattle seven hours later.
