Chapter 2 #3
That’s all it takes, that one little hint of arrogance, that brings me back to reality.
I flip him a smile. “It makes it less, actually.”
His own smile wavers. “I get that you might dislike me.”
“Dislike you? Try again. It’s much more than that.”
I’m not sure that’s true—I don’t know how to put into words how I feel about him. I just know that right now isn’t the time to try.
“I want the chance to explain,” he says. “Give me the chance to sit down and talk to you.”
“You have the same chances of getting the chance to explain as I do of getting what every woman wants.”
“What’s that?”
I lean in, like I’m going to tell him a secret. “Being able to eat all the pizza and not gain an ounce.”
I start to head to the back as his chuckle fills the room. “That was good. I’ll give you that.”
I shrug and keep walking.
“You can at least let me apologize.”
The authority in his tone, like I owe him something, stops me in my tracks. I whirl around to face him. “You don’t deserve a chance to apologize to me.”
“I didn’t say I deserved it,” he says earnestly. “But I would love the opportunity to do so.” He forces a swallow, my eyes glued to his lips. “I would appreciate the chance to get to see you again.”
The snicker that comes from me is unexpected by both of us. “So charming. I forgot how good you are with words.”
“Does that mean that’s a yes?”
“That means that’s a no,” I smile. “That means I’m not about to let you come in here and look at me with those bright blue eyes and make me forget what it felt like to have you rip my heart out.”
“I didn’t mean to do that, Ellie.”
“Don’t act surprised,” I laugh angrily. “There’s no way you thought I just went on with my life after you left. I dated you for four years, Ford. And after what we went through …”
It’s me gulping now, the anger so palpable that I almost have tears in my eyes. My hands shake as I remember the fight that ensued after he told me he was enlisting.
“You left me,” I repeat, shaking my head. “So leave me again. There’s the door. Should I hold it open for you this time?”
I motion behind him, my eyes trained on his.
He takes me in for a long moment, a lifetime of memories washing over his features. With one final smile and an ease in his shoulders, he heads to the door. I sigh a breath of relief.
“What time should I swing by next week?” he asks.
“What are you talking about? Was I not perfectly clear?”
“You were,” he says simply. “So do you get in around eight? Nine?”
A rustle breaks out behind me, surprising us both. Vi approaches with an amused look in her eye. “Am I interrupting something?” she asks sweetly.
“Not at all,” Ford chirps, deliberately looking over my head. “You can actually help.”
“I’d love to,” she says all too happily.
“Can you tell me what time you usually start in the mornings?”
“Vi …” I warn.
She ignores me, her eyes dead-set on the hunk of man candy in front of her. “I’m usually here by nine, but I think you mean what time Ellie will be here.”
“Violet.”
She ignores me. “Ellie is usually here by nine-thirty, depending on the line for vanilla lattes at Frank’s.”
“Great. I will see you next week then,” he says.
“No, you won’t,” I command. As he opens the door, ignoring me completely, a stream of fear and anger roars through my veins. “We don’t want you here, Ford.”
He turns on his heel. Bending down so we’re at almost eye-level, his breath is hot against my skin. “Go to dinner with me.”
“No.”
“Fine. I’ll see you around nine-thirty,” he grins.
“No, you will not!”
He leans against the door frame. “You can’t expect me to know you’re here and not want to see you.”
“I absolutely can expect that and I do.”
“Oh, just let him come back,” Violet almost begs. “I mean, look at him, Ellie.”
“Stay out of this, Violet,” I groan.
Ford chuckles, but doesn’t take his eyes off mine.
“This isn’t funny, Ford. I have a business to run—”
“Me too, and mine has a contract with yours.”
“No, you don’t,” I state matter-of-factly.
He looks at Violet with a smirk that almost melts me. “You seem like a reasonable woman. Isn’t it prudent to have some sort of security plan in place to protect your assets? Why do all this work and leave it open to unnecessary risk?”
I roll my eyes. “Seriously?”
Ford ignores me and keeps his focus on my helpless friend. “I’d love to come back and put together a plan for you. And, if price is an issue, I have a crazy deal this week that we could throw in.”
“Ellie did mention the budget,” Violet offers.
“How does this work for your budget?” he turns to me. “It’s free.”
I look at the ceiling, words escaping me, as Violet begins to laugh.
“I’ll be here in the next few days to get started,” he grins.
“Ford, please,” I stutter, trying to figure out a way to stop this before he disappears. “This isn’t necessary.”
“I’m not just going to walk away from you again that easily.” He lets his gaze linger on me for a moment longer than necessary. Then he looks behind me. “Nice to meet you, Violet.”
The sunlight seems to swallow him as he jogs across the street, his suit jacket trailing behind him.