Page 71 of The Runaway Bride of Blitzen Bay (Blitzen Bay)

Chapter Thirty-One

NASH

December 24

Blitzen Bay, California

“Hank called me. Are you okay?”

When I walk across the street, Elle’s staring straight ahead. Her eyes aren’t blinking.

“Elle?” I say as I put my hand on her shoulder. “Did he hurt you? Hank said he was pretty upset.”

She shakes her head and looks at me. “No, he didn’t hurt me. Well, maybe verbally, but his screaming was kind of cathartic. I feel like I deserved a little bit of that.”

“You didn’t deserve that—”

“Yeah, I did.” She looks up at me. “Hank shouldn’t have called you. I’m fine.”

“Okay,” I say, nodding, “but I came all this way, you mind if I sit here with you for a second?”

“Yeah, that thirty-second drive must have been exhausting.” She laughs. Her eyes light up a little bit.

“Sitting in my truck while you two finished your talk was the exhausting part. Do you know how hard I had to fight coming over here and throwing him into next Tuesday?”

She smiles and pats my leg. “I’m very proud of your restraint. By the way, if you’re wondering, Trip told him about seeing us at Big Bear.”

“I figured. He’s an asshole. Both of them are. Sorry if that offends you.”

“It doesn’t.” She lets out a long sigh. “Remember a few nights back when you asked me if I was going to give Steve another chance and I didn’t answer you.”

“Yep.” I try to play it off casually, but it’s all I’ve been thinking about since I asked it.

“Well, I didn’t answer you because I was still processing everything that was happening, but the answer is no. I’m not giving him another chance. I gave him back the ring. We’re done.”

I take a second to let that sink in. “Are you done because you want it to be done? Or because he’s pissed off?”

“I’ve wanted it to be done for a long time. I finally got up the nerve to end it. I don’t want to spend another second with him, much less the rest of my life.”

“I’m sorry you’ve had to go through all of this,” I say, putting my arm around her, “but I’m glad you’re doing what’s right for you.”

She looks up at me and nods. “Can we talk about something else? Anything else.”

“Okay,” I say, looking at her feet, “how about we start with you explaining to me why you’re just wearing socks again. You do realize it’s winter, right? Look there’s snow right there. Do you remember those things we bought you yesterday? I think they’re called boots.”

She rolls her eyes. “I didn’t have time to put them on when Steve got here. He was making a scene. I just wanted to get him outside. I thought poor Claire was going to start crying.”

“Hmm, let’s go inside.” I pull her up and guide her back through the door.

Hank’s at the front desk. “Everything good?” he says, smiling when he sees me.

“Yeah, he’s gone.” I nod toward the sitting room. “We’re going to sit in here for a second if you don’t mind.”

“It’s all good. I’m going to bed. Nash, will you snuff out the fire before you leave?”

“I’ve got you.” I nod to him as he heads to the back of the inn.

Elle’s curled up on the couch right in front of the fire. I grab a blanket off the ottoman and cover her feet with it as I sit down.

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