I don’t know why this money is so important to him, but it’s clear that it is. I know he knows what it means to me, and I know he knows this is a way better turn-of-events than us going to get cheesecake.
I can’t fight the tremble of my chin or the welling up of my eyes, but I don’t bother trying to conceal them either.
We stand there on the long, oval drive for a span of time, just staring at each other, until he pulls my arms to bring me close to him and kisses me. It’s a sweet, simple kiss this time. It mirrors the first kiss I gave to him on this same spot to break the ice only two days ago, and I realize I don’t hate him. I don’t know if I’m stupid for that, but I can’t evenmakemyself hate him anymore.
I can’t bring myself to hate a person who unknowingly offered their hand to me while I was trapped in a miry pit and held on until I pulled myself out.
14
GAME. FUCKING. ON.
The deal is done. The commission is coming. Elle’s going to quit. And I’m about to sell her on the ketchup popsicle known asus.
“So, what’s first on your agenda after your two weeks is up?” I venture after about fifteen minutes of silence as we cruise down the interstate.
“Oh, I’m not waiting two weeks to get started,” Elle says with a determined tone. “First thing tomorrow morning, I’m registering to take my licensure exam.”
“Oh.” My brow pulls low as I stare at the road. “Can you do that online or do you have to go in person?”
“I can do it online, but it’s only supposed to take two days to get the approval to take the exam.” In my periphery, I see her glance at me. “I have to take the test in person. So I will be taking the day off.” She cocks her head to look more directly at me. “Are you going to give me shit about taking time off during my last two weeks?”
I briefly lift my hand off the wheel in place of a dismissive shrug. “You can take the day off for that, Elle.”
“Thanks,” she clips, sitting back in her seat and pulling out her phone to type something.
I turn to look at her. “Are you upset about something?”
“No,” Elle says quietly, still typing for a second before she puts the screen to sleep and lifts her head to look forward. “I’m that annoying combination of excited and anxious. It’s not an easy test, and I’ve been out of school for long enough that I’m worried it might be too hard.”
I can’t help smirking. “I’m sure you’ll do fine,MizzColumbia.”
At that, she smiles at me. “I appreciate the vote of confidence.”
A smile is a good segue to broach the topic Iactuallywant to discuss with her. “Andafteryou knock this exam out of the park…” I pause for effect to return her smile. “You should let me take you to Eileen’s for that cheesecake. It would be a good way to celebrate.”
“Oh,” she says on a light laugh, “are you planning to celebrate with me?”
I’m not crazy about the fact that she just laughed off my invitation, but her response is one more step toward the point of the conversation.
“I am actually.” I offer another disarming smile. “If you’ll let me.”
Elle squints at the road for a second. “Colin… do you really think—”
Her phone ringing pierces the air, and she places it to her ear. “Hey, Celia.”
I’m not crazy about the interruption either, but letting on to that won’t contribute to my bottom line, so I turn my attention back to the road while she takes the call.
“Oh, were we doing that on Wednesday?” Elle asks. “Hang on, I’m going to put you on speaker while I look at my calendar.” She pulls the phone away from her ear and taps a button before she starts swiping again. “Say hi to Colin while I check.”
“Hee-eey,Colin,” Celia drawls.
Celia doesn’t call measshole, which is out of character, but also strikes me as some kind of progress. After all, she and Elle are friends, and if Elle andIare going to beus, I’m going to have to get Celia to like me.
“How’s your weekend treating you, Celia?” I ask casually, reclining slightly in my seat while I rest one elbow against the side of the door.
“Not too bad,” she says, equally casual, but with a hint of mischief. “Mostly just spending my morning wishing I placed bets on you and Elle’s littlesales trip.”
“Celia,” Elle hisses at the phone. “Shutup.”
