Page 51 of Wine and Research
Nah. All they did was have sex.
That’s not true, her mind interjected. A few times, they’d gone out to dinner beforehand. Another time, they’d walked around the lake. They had even gone to a drive-in and actually watched the movie before going back to her place to make out. One time, Jeremy had surprised her by taking her to a shooting range. A smile tugged at her lips. Poor guy had thought he was being helpful with her research, but she already knew how to shoot and had a permit to carry.
Warmth spread through her body at the memory of how his gaze had smoldered at her revelation, and how she’d emptied her magazine on target. That time, they hadn’t made it to her cabin. No, Jeremy had pulled onto a deserted road, parked behind a bunch of trees, and they’d exposed just the essential parts before they combusted in his back seat.
Then there was last week. The cute man had shown up with a basketball, and using the hoop attached to the side of the cabin, taught her how to shoot baskets using some very hot kisses as incentive to improve her aim.
Elle was a fast learner, especially with the kind of motivation he provided.
Even though they had sex every time they saw one another, it hadn’t been all they were doing.
Oh, wow…
Elle slumped back in her chair and blinked. Maybe they did sort of have a relationship, after all.
“Pretty sure she just got a clue,” Faith said with a grin.
“Doesn’t mean it’s good,” she felt obliged to point out. “I’m not staying, and he doesn’t want me to.”
Jenna leaned forward. “Are you sure he doesn’t?”
She nodded, but now that the seed of doubt was planted, Elle wasn’t so sure.
“Either way, you two will work it out,” Sophia said, sounding so confident, Elle almost believed the woman. “Lea and Ben managed a long-distance relationship, and so did Ryder and I.”
“And Ethan and I,” Phoebe added. “If there’s a will, there’s a way.”
And wasn’t that just it?A will.What if it led to a will and testament?
What if it didn’t?her mind countered.
She blew out a breath and shook her head, too confused to worry about any of it at the moment. The image of Jeremy leaving with that dull, expressionless gaze flashed through her head, and her heart squeezed again.
None of that mattered right now. What mattered was Jeremy. Although today was amazing for her, it had been horrible for him.
She pushed her chair back and rose to her feet.
“You going after him?” Faith asked.
Although Elle had never been to his house, she knew where it was because he’d once pointed out the gorgeous mid-century ranch to her on their way to her cabin.
She nodded. “Not sure he’ll let me in, but I’ve got to try.”
“He will,” Jenna said, her eyes a little misty. “He cares about you, Elle.”
Well, shit. She didn’t need to hear that.
Caring was danger zone stuff. Wasn’t that why she was seeking him out? Because she cared?
Damn her astute mind.
Elle hesitated for a second, until she noted a Styrofoam container where her half-eaten meal had once been. When had the server done that?
She hadn’t asked for it, yet it was right there.
Was it fate? Or just an efficient server?
Deciding to take it as the former, she grabbed her leftovers, thanked her friends for the meal, then headed for the exit before logic set in and she got cold feet.
