Chapter 5
Ellie
Closing the cartons on enough food to feed an army, I place them on the counter in front of Matt. “I think you cleaned me out.” My voice is shaky. I inwardly curse myself for feeling nervous around someone who thought I was no better than the gum on the bottom of his shoe. How long is he here for anyway? Is he back for good?
I’d intentionally avoided asking what had become of him back in the day. He’d graduated a year ahead of me and bolted out of town like he was running from the mob. I assumed he’d garnered a soccer scholarship somewhere. There was no sense contemplating any of it. He was and never would be interested in someone like me. And if Matt was somehow attracted to me now that I’d grown into my curves, he was even more shallow than I wanted to consider.
I crane my neck to look up at him. He’s easily six foot two. My gaze dusts over the multicolored ink adorning his tanned, corded arms as I await a reply. The artwork seems to be European. The unique design of multicolored domes alongside a black hammer and sickle. Russian maybe? I can’t help but want to see more. Trail my fingers along the intricate details…
What is wrong with you, Ellie? Get a grip.
My eyes reconnect with his, and I realize he’s staring. And I don’t mean taking a good look. He’s literally staring. What is he staring at? I start to feel a little self-conscious and reach up to wipe my cheek on the off chance I’ve got food on my face when he finally speaks.
“Okay, bye.” Grabbing the cartons, he turns for the door.
What? That’s it?
“Wait!”