Page 92 of Unspoken Words
“Well, yeah, your hair has.”
She fingered a long, blonde curl. “Not just the hair.”
I knew what she was trying to say because, I, too, had changed. I’d lost everything while gaining something else. I’d let go of the love of my life and found a new one—Max. A transition such as that definitely changed a person.
Fighting the urge to untangle her finger and replace it with my own, I opened the passenger door to my truck and cleared my throat instead. “Shall we?”
She peered inside and hesitated, as if she were an unsure child deliberating a ride from a stranger.
“If I offered candy, would that help?”
“No,” she snapped. “That’s not funny.”
“Okay okay. Lighten up. I just want to take you out to lunch and discuss us working together. That’s all.”
It wasn’t all, but she didn’t need to know that … yet.
Once again gesturing with my hand for her to sit, I smiled, dimples popping, hoping they’d seal the deal. “Please?”
Her cheeks mirrored the red of her top, and she rolled her eyes. “Ugh. Fine.”
Ellie climbed into my truck and waged war against my seat belt when it wouldn’t budge. It was incredibly adorable, and if it weren’t for the fact that I feared for the safety of the black strap and the vehicle it was bolted to, I would’ve held back my chuckling and continued to watch.
“Here, let me,” I offered, reaching forward.
I placed my hand over hers and held it still, slowly guiding the seat belt across her chest to clip it in by her side. Our breaths caught, our eyes locked, our faces mere centimetres apart.
She swallowed and diverted her gaze. “Thanks, but I can handle it from here.”
Seizing the moment before it was gone, I scanned her beautiful face to my memory before stepping back and closing the door. And as I made my way around to the back of the truck, I exhaled and slapped my palm over my heart to once again restart it.
It hadn’t beat this erratic in four years, and that was long overdue.
*
“If you thinkpizza isgoing to sway my decision in your favour, Connor Bourke, you’re wrong,” Ellie huffed. She snatched a menu from my hands.
“Their Meatlovers is the best, just sayin’.”
Leaning back in my seat, I bit back a smile and waved over the owner, Anthony. For a Tuesday afternoon, the restaurant was unusually quiet, and I couldn’t be happier. It was perfect.
“Ahh, if it isn’t my favourite customer,” Anthony greeted, his Italian accent heavy. “You keep me in business, yes?”
I laughed. “I doubt I’m the only one.”
“This is true. This is true.” His bushy, hooded eyes flicked toward Ellie then back to me. “So what can I get you both today, eh?”
“Anthony, this is Eloise. We grew up together. In fact, we used to eat here a lot before you bought the business.”
He pursed his lips and offered his hand to shake. “Pleasure to meet you, Bella. I have much to live up to then, yes?”
Ellie’s eyes glittered fondly. “I’m sure I will love your food. Connor speaks very highly of your pizza.”
“Ahh, well, he does eat it nearly every day.”
“Every day?” Ellie asked, her eyes wide with surprise.
I shook my head. “He’s exaggerating. I don’t eat iteveryday.”
