Page 65 of Quietly Falling
“So are you saying you already did all the overanalyzing and worst-case scenario stuff?” I huff and he chuckles.
“I’m saying, for right now at least, I’m all worried out.” When I don’t say anything, he continues, “Ella, I had a panic attack, needed my migraine meds, got thrown into a whirlwind weekend filled with people I’d never met, threw myself a pity party because I thought the woman I like wanted to bejust friends,had pillows thrown at me by the same woman, and lost my virginity. I think I’m good for a while.”
This time I can’t help the laugh that bubbles up inside me, the sheer absurdity of the last several days summed up almost like a punch line.
And he’s right.
We’ve been through a lot already, but I guess maybe,selfishly,I’m just sad that we’ll be back to reality instead of this blissful little bubble we’ve created.
Pulling our joined hands to his lips, he kisses my knuckles. “Don’t worry, baby, this is only the beginning.”
31
BODHI
ONE WEEK LATER
Despite my reassurance in the car, Ella had been right about coming back to the real world. Work had been nonstop for both of us, and while we managed to steal a couple of minutes here and there, it wasn’t enough.
And that wasn’t the only thing.
Tom hadn’t reached out again, and the unknown only ratcheted up my unease. What did he want? Did they find something new?
Before the trip, I would have poured myself into more work and tacked a couple more miles onto my workout.
But that was before.
None of that works now, and while a small part of me is annoyed at this new change, the bigger part—theoverwhelming part—is fucking thrilled at the prospect of losing myself in a spectacular blonde.
BODHI: Are you ready?
ELLA: Yes, just need five more minutes
Looking at the timestamp,I can see the message was sent more than fifteen minutes ago and that just won’t do.
“Evening, Rhea,” I say, stepping into the Poppy Seed and nodding to her as a smirk crosses her lips.
“Howdy,” she responds with a thick southern accent. “Have anyplanstonight?” Her question is leading because I told her I’d be hauling Ella out of the Poppy Seed if she failed to cut out when she was supposed to.
“Crap,” Ella mutters as she looks at the clock and then back at me. “I lost track of time but my bag is in the car. I just need like twenty more minutes.”
Looking around my girlfriend to her boss, I smirk as Rhea shakes her head.
Good enough for me.
“Time to go,” I tell her, rounding the counter, her eyes widening as I do.
“Time to—” Ella doesn’t get the words out before I’m tossing her over my shoulder, making her yelp as I spin back to smile at Rhea.
“She’ll be back on Monday.”
‘What?” Ella laughs. “No, I have work to finish!”
“You two kids have fun now.”
“Night,” I call without a backward glance, as we head down the hall to the office where I scoop Ella’s purse and coat off the hook and continue toward the back door.
“You can put me down now,” she huffs but I ignore her, turning the handle and sucking in a lungful of air as I deposit her on the sidewalk. “Was that?—”
