How much easier it would have been.
Like he’s sensing my inner turmoil, Eli stands up and steps closer to me.Before I know what’s happening, he bends down and hugs me tightly.“I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you after the fire. I am so damn sorry, Maggie. We all miss her so much. Your Grandma Lou was my guardian angel. You’ll never understand how I needed her in many ways during all those years. Damn. I am so sorry, Maggie. Please forgive me.” he whispers, gently kissing my forehead. I feel the warmth spreading through my body even though I want to run and hide after his mention of the fire.
I’m still not over what happened.
I’m still not over all the hurt and pain.Both physical and mental.
But at least I don’t hate him calling meMaggiewhen his arms wrap tightly around me.
5
ROSE
Eli Par—Dalton is hugging me.
What thefudgeis happening here?
I am not ready for this. I feel a need to push him away. It’s too much all at once. My head hasn’t had time to process everything yet. He must sense my discomfort as he apologizes and takes a step back.
I rush to explain myself. “It’s not you, Eli. It’s me. I know people often say that, but you know I mean it wholeheartedly. I just need more time and space to process everything.Please.” My voice wavers as I beg him to give me what I need.
He sighs with a wary look on his face. “I’m trying my best here. We used to be much better at communicating. What the fuck happened that summer?”
His voice is filled with anguish, and his eyes look pained. But I can’t produce the right words that would ease the situation.
“Eli, please let’s talk about it later. We need to get this interview done before I’m comfortable talking about us.” I say lowering my voice to a whisper, tears pooling in my eyes.
He nods and flops to his seat. Trying to get my focus back to the interview, I suggest that we talk about his work for now. Eli straightens his back and starts telling me about their latest project. Using his strong interest in computer science and technology for something he does daily is clearly a powerful feeling. He must enjoy what he does as he explains his work with enthusiasm. I wish I had even a tiny part of that keenness he shows right now.
A half an hour later, with the rest of the questions answered, I turn to Eli. “Thank you. I think that’s enough for today. There are more questions I would like to ask before I start to draft the article next week. There haven’t been many mentions about your involvement with different charities and your sister.” I babble while dropping my notes.
Craptastic.
I have turned into an overly clumsy mess around him. Just like I was at age 15.
That’s why I ignored him back then. It took me two more years to get enough nerve to say hi to him. The moment I finally did was like the one we find ourselves in now, minus the sexual tension.
Eli quickly picks my notes up for me and hands them to me. “Here you go, Rose.”
That’s the first time he has called me Rose, it fills me with unexpected warmth.
I try to compose myself while gathering my things. “Thank you again. Sorry for being so disorganized. It’s my first time doing this alone.”
He chuckles. “Relax, love. Let’s have dinner tonight. That way, we can finish our interview,” Eli suggests and senses my hesitation right away. He must read me better than he thinks.
“Um, sorry, but I already have plans. Raincheck?” I reply without looking his way. I know that I would cancel my plans if he asked me to. Honestly, he could even make me sell my kidney for him if he asked me nicely enough.
“Oh, okay. Are you having a date or something?” Eli doesn’t sound too pleased and I bet his eyebrows are furrowing. The change in his tone is fascinating. Is that jealousy I can hear in Eli’s voice, or am I just imagining things?
“My roommates and I are having a night in. They’re waiting for me with fish tacos and frozen margaritas with salted rims. They know how to make me feel better after a long day,” I say in a teasing tone to lighten up the mood.
He accepts my explanation and his tone eases back into the Eli I once knew. “I’m sure I could make you feel better in more ways than one,” he hints.
“You have to at least buy me dinner first,” I joke and turn to face him. My laugh dies quickly. The heat in his eyes is unmistakable. After seeing him like this, it takes me a moment to gather my thoughts.Were we just flirting?
Before I can do or blurt anything stupid, I grab my purse and take out one of my business cards, handing it to him, “Text me whenever you have another time figured out.”
He takes hold of my wrist and rubs his thumb gently against my palm. That simple touch shouldn’t feel as good as it does. I lean into Eli, taking in how his hand feels against my scorching skin.
