He looked over at me and smiled. “Elliot, how have you been, man?” He held out his hand to shake, and when I gave him mine, he pulled me in for a hug.
“I’m good? It’s good seeing you both, but I should get back,” I said, quickly walking away before they could stop me.
I took my seat at the table again, and Melissa leaned in. “How’d that go?”
“Let’s just hope running into your ex goes better.”
As the night wore on, things started to feel easier. I wasn’t so tense, but that was probably due to the whiskey I’d consumed. I’m sure skipping dinner didn’t help either. We’d bumped into Melissa’s ex, and I made sure to lay it on nice and thick. When I abruptly ended the conversation, it was clear that he was jealous. He continued to watch us with every chance he got, but he wasn’t the only one. Anna was also watching. The night was a success. We hoped to make one ex jealous, but we ended up pissing off two.
“Did you see their faces?” Mellisa asked, laughing as we rode the elevator back up to my suite.
I laughed. “Mission complete,” I chuckled.
“Thank you for this. You didn’t have to do this, but you swooped in and saved me like you always have.” I saw something change in her eyes. “Have you ever considered that maybe we gave up on one another too soon?”
“Mel… I?—”
She placed her index finger over my lips, silencing me. “Just… let me see something,” she whispered before leaning in. She pulled her finger away from my lips and replaced it with hers. She kissed me, soft and slow. We had hooked up many times over the years, and it had always been great. We had chemistry—that’s why we got together in the first place, but suddenly, it felt like the chemistry was gone. At least, it had drastically diminished over the years, and it felt like nothing compared to how I felt when it was Evelyn who was against me.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t,” I told her, breaking our kiss and shaking my head.
“Can’t or won’t?” She asked softly, pulling away from me.
“Bit of both,” I admitted.
She gave me a sad smile. “Is it the girl you brought with you?”
I sighed. “I don’t fucking know anymore.”
“Oh, Elliot. You always struggled with emotions. Anna really messed you up.”
I said nothing as I stared straight ahead.
“You’re missing out having all that hatred in your heart,” she said gently. “Let go. Do what makes you happy.”
“And if I don’t know what that is anymore?”
“Then find it,” she finished.
Find it.
Fuck, maybe I already had.
EVELYN
It was a little after ten when Elliot and Mellisa walked back into the room. Steph, the child I’d been forced to babysit, was sound asleep on the couch. As angry as I was about being stuck babysitting, we did have a good time. We played in the sand and made a castle before swimming in the ocean. We called it a night when the sun was setting, returning to the room for room service and a movie.
I only needed one look at Elliot to see that something had happened between them. Her dark pink lipstick was staining the skin around his mouth, despite his trying to wipe it away before walking into the room.
“How was she?” Mellisa asked as she started to gather her belongings.
“She was great. She’s a sweet kid,” I said, turning off the TV and putting the remote on the table. “Since you’re back, I think I’m going to call it a night.” Before anyone could say anything, I made my exit, leaving the three of them in the central area of the suite as I rushed down the hall to my room.
I was angry and upset. I thought that Elliot and I had found some mutual ground. I thought he was taking me to the Bahamas to be his date. I had been dreaming of us lounging onthe beach together. I thought we’d share a room, share the same bed. I felt so stupid for letting myself get excited, for expecting him to be different from what he had been. I thought there was a change, but I was wrong. Elliot hadn’t changed. He was being the same guy he’d always been. I was starting to think that maybe he wasn’t as nice as I thought back then. Perhaps he’d always been this cold, calculated, mean, and hateful person.
I was mad at him, but I was angrier at myself. I should have known better. I never should have let Chase go. He was a good guy. He was everything I ever wanted, and I pushed him away because I was stupid enough to believe that things were changing with Elliot and me. I knew the truth finally. Elliot would never change.
I threw myself onto the bed where I buried my face in the pillow to muffle my cries. Part of me wondered if he’d come to check on me, but the other part knew that he didn’t give a shit if I was upset or not. He’d achieved his goal: he hurt me again.
