Chapter 30
Mac
While Eliza changes back into her own clothes, I adjust myself in my trousers.
That dress hugged Eliza in a way that had me remembering just what she looks like underneath it, and I wanted nothing more than to get to see that again.
I am going to need to find a way to ensure that I get to spend time with Eliza while we’re here.
I may also want to take the next step of her part of this bargain, too.
I’ve spent the last three weeks dreadfully disappointed with my own hand when it could be hers or her mouth.
No woman has left me needing them the way that Eliza has.
I’ve been able to get myself off, but it’s been lacklustre.
When she comes out of the dressing room, she has a few items draped over her arm and I follow her as she makes her way to the till. When she goes to pay, I tap my card and she looks at me, a mix of shock and annoyance in her expression.
“My apology for leaving you this morning.”
Her expression softens, and she rolls her lips together before saying, “Thank you. You didn’t need to, but thank you.”
I grab the bag for her, and my free hand finds her lower back as we make our way out of the shop.
“Where to next?” I ask as I slip my hand into hers.
“I didn’t have anything planned. I’ve just been wandering and exploring.”
“How about some lunch?”
She nods, and I lead her in the direction of one of my favourite restaurants. I’m not surprised to see it full of people when we walk up. The hostess says it will be a fifteen-minute wait, so I put my name on the list and we head to a bench on the opposite side of the street to wait.
“How’s your father?” Eliza asks as we settle.
“He’s very much himself.”
She chuckles. “I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.”
“I’m not sure either. The second I walked into his office it was straight to business.
Of course when the topic of my mom came up later he—” I’m not sure how to put it.
He was an asshole? He was a mindless prick who fails to see how his actions have consequences?
He failed to remember that she’s still my mother and I still love her despite the fact that he drove her away?
All of them work really. “He decided his opinion and feelings were the most important thing,” I settle on.
Eliza’s hand finds mine and squeezes. “I’m sorry your father is a prick.”
My head tips back as a loud laugh leaves me. She’s barely met him and has him completely figured out, and I love that.
“I’m sorry,” she says as she tries to drag her hand away from mine, but I squeeze keeping her hand in mine.
“No, don’t apologize. That’s the perfect description of him.”
She smiles softly at me. “Tell me about your mom.”
I take a deep breath, and my phone buzzes telling me that our table is ready. We head back to the restaurant and order drinks.
The second our waiter is gone, Eliza looks back at me and says, “You were going to tell me about your mom.”
“She’s warm. When I think of her, I think of paintings and flowers and warm baked bread.
I was close to her even in my early teen years.
We grew apart when she moved away and my father and I moved to Canada.
I still call her when I can and I’ve told her I’m here for two weeks so I’ll try and see her for a meal hopefully. ”
A look flickers across Eliza’s face, one I can’t quite pinpoint, and I take a chance.
“I’d actually love for you to meet her, if you’re up for it.”
“You want me to meet your mom?”
I nod. “I think she’d love you.”
Her entire body seems to do a little shake before she says, “If that’s what you want. I’d love to meet her.”
Something akin to excitement fills me, but it’s also tinged with guilt.
I’m going to have to introduce Eliza as my girlfriend to mom and then I’ll have to explain to her why we broke up later.
I push that aside, because I do truly think she’ll love Eliza and I want them to meet, even if for just a brief moment it’s in the context of our fake relationship.
“When do I get to meet your parents?” I ask, and pure shock fills her face.
“You want to meet my parents? We’re...” Her hand rolls through the air as though it's flipping through a Rolodex, trying to find the right word. She lowers her voice and practically whispers, “Not actually dating.”
“Do friends not meet parents?” I ask, because I do want to meet them. We’re often said to be a reflection of our parents, whether we end up like them or the exact opposite. I want to know which way Eliza went.
She takes a sip of her water as though buying herself time to run through options in her head. “I’m going to my parents' the weekend after we get back for my father’s birthday dinner if you’d like to join me.”
“I would. Sounds like a plan.”
She takes another sip of her water as the waiter returns to take our food order. When he leaves I move the conversation to sightseeing to hopefully move Eliza away from what was looking like an onset of panic.
She tells me about the places she stopped today before I found her and even shows me the little gift she found for Hannah.
She tells me the story behind it, and I once again realize how she’s built herself this family outside of her parents.
I love that she’s surrounded by so many people who love and care for her.
It also has me wondering for the first time if once we end this arrangement it’s going to mean I need to leave the team.
She has more connection to them than I do, even if I’ve been with the team longer than she’s been coming around.
The prospect leaves me with a sense of sadness, because I’m finding I like the guys on my team more than I ever realized.
They’ve slowly grown into more than just my team, but if Eliza wanted it, I would leave it all behind for her to be more comfortable.
I’d leave a lot behind if it’s what she wanted.