Page 12 of Into the Light

After my decision toback off, I’d made it all of one fucking day staying away from Ellie. But it wasn’t really my choice. I kept telling myself that, but I didn’t believe my own bullshit.

I’d run into her on Harbor Street, attempting to carry a big box from the curb up to her apartment. She lived above her shop, but the door to the stairs was around the corner, and Ellie, being all five-foot-nothing, was dragging the cardboard along the pavement with all her might. It was adorable and pain-inducing all at the same time.

There wasn’t a chance in hell that she’d actually ask for help. So I’d had to step in. I wasn’t about to let her strain her back when it was something I could do one-handed.

So here I was, walking into her tiny apartment, just the two of us, when I was supposed to be keeping my distance. Her vanilla shampoo wafted over to my nose and her laugh had my dick stirring like it was Pavlov’s bell.

“I could have done this myself, you know.”

“I know. Where do you want it?”

She pointed to a corner of the living area and I set it down, easy as pie. I knew that Ellie could have, and would have, completed the task. She was strong and capable, and knew how to take care of herself. But god help me, I wanted to make life easier for her. I wanted to see her smile. Which was exactly what I was supposed to be avoiding.

“What’s in here, anyway?”

“Oh, just a new coffee table I ordered. It was on clearance.” She rushed to say the last part, like I’d judge her for spending money on herself.

“You deserve to treat yourself.”

I knew she worried about money. But I also suspected she thought others didn’t see how hard she worked. After getting her degree and deciding to not use it, she’d mentioned feeling like people thought it was a mistake, or frivolous, to open up her own shop.

I didn’t know if people actually felt that way, or if it was just her own insecurity, but it didn’t matter. Ellie worried about it, and I wanted to put her at ease. She worked hard as hell and built something for herself. She had a lot to be proud of.

“Want some help putting it together?”

“No, it’s okay, I can do it.”

“I know you can, but why don’t you let me do it for you? You can repay me with a beer.” I knew she’d feel better if it seemed like I was getting something out of the deal. But the truth was, doing this for Elliewaswhat I got out of it. I might have been kidding myself thinking I could stay away from her. And no doubt, I’d try again tomorrow. But doing this for her tonight would make me happy.

“All right. How about I order a pizza too?”

“Sure. Pepperoni?”

She smiled and it put my soul at ease. “Of course.”

I unpacked the box and got to work. It was a simple enough project, and would have only taken me ten minutes if I wasn’t wasting time just to spend more of it here with Ellie. By the time she went to pick up the pizza a few doors down, I’d finished the entire thing and the coffee table now rested in between her sofa and TV hanging on the wall.

I cleaned up all the packing material and took it downstairs to the recycling bin on the street behind her building and decided to wait for her to get back.

These fall nights were my favorite thing about Maine. The evening air was crisp and almost too cool. But after the summertime humidity, I loved it.

I leaned against the brick wall and listened to the bustle of Harbor Street just on the other side of the building. I lived out in a quieter part of town, so it was always interesting to me when I visited Ellie’s apartment or Theo’s townhouse, before he moved in with Sara. I liked the solitude and the nature around my place, but I couldn’t deny downtown Moon Harbor had its own kind of charm.

The sun was about set, but darkness hadn’t taken over yet. Still, I worried that Ellie was taking a bit too long. Until I heard voices. I pushed off the wall and looked down the alley, seeing Ellie, holding a pizza box, and talking to her dipshit ex, Derek, as they walked toward where I stood. My mood soured on the spot. I walked up to break up this little reunion.

“Hey El, don’t let this get cold,” I said, taking the pizza out of her hands and eyeing Derek like the motherfucker he knew I thought he was.

“Oh hey, thanks,” she said, then turned back to Derek. “Well, it was nice to see you. I should get going.”

“Yeah, we have plans,” I said, fully aware I sounded like a dick, but uncaring.

Derek eyed me back. The asshole actually looked me up and down like he thought I would be intimidated.

“Right. Well, it was great seeing you. Give me a call.” And then this motherfucker actually kissed her on the cheek.

I clenched down on my teeth in order to stop myself from saying anything else, and slipped my hand onto the small of El’s back, guiding her to the door and making sure Derek saw it.

“Bye, Derek,” I called over my shoulder. I caught him staring at my hand, like I knew he would be, and couldn’t hide the smirk that crossed my face. I might have had no shot with Ellie, but I sure as hell would do whatever I could to make sure Derek didn’t have a chance, either.

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