Chapter 12
TWELVE
FORD
The late afternoon sun beats down, heating the interior of Graham’s SUV. I crank on the air conditioner and get a snarl from my brother.
“What is it with you and the AC?”
“It’s ninety degrees in here,” I say, pulling the collar away from my neck. “I’m sweating like a motherfucker.”
“Remind me to make you drive separately next time,” he laughs.
“I’d be happy to, especially since you failed to inform me you have a meeting after ours that I’m going to wait out.”
He looks at me over his shoulder. “I didn’t know about that until we got in the car. I’ve waited to talk to this guy for two weeks. You’re going to have to deal.”
A sign catches my eye and I squint through the sunlight. “Hey, Halcyon is like two streets over.”
“So?”
“Drop me off there.”
Graham huffs. “Do you think I’m your dad? Like, ‘Hey, Graham. Take me here and then come back to pick me up’?”
“Would it kill you?” I deadpan.
On a dime, the SUV takes a right and heads north.
“Ah, thanks, G,” I grin.
“You can be such a child.”
“If it makes you feel any better,” I laugh as we take another right and pull up in front of Ellie’s store, “you’ve made this child very happy.”
“Get out of my car before I’m late,” he says, smiling. “I’ll text you when I’m on my way to get you.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Asshole,” he mutters as I climb out and slam the door.
I jog the few paces to the front door, my heartbeat picking up. I tell myself it’s because of the burst of exertion, but I know better.
There’s been no exchange between us since I left her standing, covered in paint. It’s killed me not to call her or send her a text. Hell, it’s been nearly impossible not to just drive to her house and scoop her up and kiss the ever-loving fuck out of her.
I knew once I broke the barrier, things would change. Seeing her respond to me in such an intimate way, watching her put her guard down and let me in, only solidifies how I feel.
She’s mine.
Not in some mock-caveman way. It’s not like that at all.
She’s mine because as much as she belongs with me, I belong with her.
The catch is I’ve said a lot of stupid things, made a lot of promises, and set up a lot of things that I didn’t follow through on.
She won’t trust my word. She shouldn’t. It’s up to me to show her who I am and how I feel.
That I love her.
The cool air of Halcyon hits me in the face as I step inside. Violet and Ellie are on the floor, sandwiches and chips in front of them.
“Hey, ladies,” I say, nodding quickly at Violet and then setting my sights on Ellie. A pair of cut-off denim shorts showcases her toned legs and a plain black tank top is stretched across her ample breasts. With her messy ponytail, she’s a sight I could watch for days.
“Hey, Ford,” Violet chirps.
“Hi.” Ellie smiles at me, absentmindedly combing a hand through her hair. Green smears are laced through the dark strands. I pretend not to notice.
“I hope you don’t mind me stopping by,” I say. “I was riding with Graham and he had a meeting. I thought I’d see if you ladies needed any help instead of waiting in the car for God knows how long.”
“We were just wrapping up lunch,” Violet says, mischief in her eyes. “I do hear you’re a good painter though.”
“Violet!” Ellie hisses, making us all laugh.
“That’s what she says, huh?” I tease.
“She did,” Violet continues, dodging a thrown water bottle from her friend. “She said—”
“Don’t you dare!” Ellie springs to her feet, a smile on her face. “Between the two of you, you embarrass me to no end.”
I pin my eyes to hers. “Baby, there is absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about.”
Her cheeks ratchet up a darker shade of pink. “Can we change the subject?”
“Yes,” Violet offers. “Let’s talk about that little smear of green paint on Ford’s forearm that conspicuously matches the green in your hair.”
Ellie charges back, threatening Violet, as I chuckle. Pulling my phone from my pocket, I see Sienna’s name on the screen.
I motion to them I need to take the call and head to the back. “Hello?”
“Hey, Ford! Are you busy?”
“It depends on what you want.”
“Well, I need a ride.”
“Why?”
She sighs dramatically into the line. “I rode with Camilla to get manicures and she went first. She was finished when I was just starting, so she said she was going to run a few errands and come back to get me. I can’t get her to even respond to my texts now, and I’m tired of sitting here.
I’m only a few blocks from Landry Security, so I thought maybe you’d take pity on your baby sister and come get me. ”
“You could walk,” I offer.
“It’s a hundred degrees out there!”
Ellie’s voice drifts to the back and I get an idea. “Can I call you right back?”
“You aren’t going to leave me sitting here too, are you?”
“Get an attitude and I just might leave you to an Uber.”
“Call me back,” she growls and hangs up.
Moseying to the front, it’s Violet that catches my eye first. I toss her a wink.
“Who was that?” Violet asks carefully, trying to make sure that’s what I intended her to do.
“My sister Sienna. She’s stranded at a nail place and needs a ride.”
A look of understanding flickers through Violet’s eyes. “Weren’t you dropped off here?”
“Yup. I told her she’d have to take a cab or something.”
Violet looks at Ellie. “Why don’t you take Ford to get her?”
Ellie’s jaw drops as she looks at Violet and then me. “Um, well, I …”
“You totally don’t have to,” I say. “Really. She can call someone else. It’s fine.”
“But you were just saying you needed to run out and grab some thumb tacks and stuff, right?” Violet prods. “Let me finish what we were doing and you run Ford to grab his sister.”
“But I …” she gulps. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Violet says, nudging her towards me.
“If you don’t want to, Ellie, it’s fine,” I grin.
She searches my face and I can almost see the cogs turning. Finally, she throws back her shoulders and smiles. “Let me grab my keys.”
***
ELLIE
What the hell am I doing?
It takes two attempts to get the keys in the ignition. Ford is too close, looking entirely too sinful, and smelling way too freaking good to think clearly.
In my little car, he completely dominates the space. It’s like my brain refuses to work with him in the passenger’s seat next to me. Where he could reach out and touch me. And move his fingers to my—
“Ellie?”
“Ah!” I say, jumping back in my seat. My hands clasp over my heart as it stalls in my chest. “You scared me!”
“Saying your name?” he laughs. “What on Earth is wrong with you?”
“Nothing,” I mutter, pulling my sunglasses over my eyes in hopes he doesn’t see me blush. “Where is Sienna?”
He gives me the address, and I pull out onto the street. We drive for a few miles with no sound besides the radio quietly playing a hip-hop station Violet had on this morning.
“Do you listen to this?” he asks, turning the sound up. “This is horrible.”
“It was all Violet,” I laugh. “I usually listen to country.”
“I knew I loved you.”
Pressing a swallow, I try to let those words go in one ear and out the other. I’m sure it was just a slip of the tongue, a casual use of words people say each and every day.
I knew I loved you.
I gulp again.
A song by a popular artist comes on the radio and he taps his foot against the floorboard in rhythm. The insistent tip-tap begins to drive me up the wall.
“Okay,” I say, flipping off the radio. “Let’s talk.”
“Okay. Let’s talk,” he repeats.
“What are you? A canary?”
“A canary?” he laughs. “You mean a parrot.”
“No, a canary. Canaries talk.”
“Do they? I don’t think so.”
“Look it up,” I laugh. “We had a canary when I was little and it talked.”
He gives me the cutest, silliest look. “I’m sure it did.”
I smack him on the shoulder. That’s all it takes for the air to shift. He must feel it too because he cranks up the air conditioner.
“I’ve been hot all fucking day,” he grumbles.
I want to comment that he looks fucking hot every time I see him. I could make a note about how hard his shoulder just was when I hit him and how I’d like to roam my hands down his biceps and feel him flex his body while he’s up against mine. Or on mine. Or under mine. Or inside mine.
“Hey!” he laughs, grabbing the top of the steering wheel. “Pay attention or I’ll drive.”
The car evens back out as I feel every ounce of blood rush to my face. “Sorry.”
“You feeling okay today?” he grins. “You’re flushed.”
“I’m fine.”
“Yes, you are,” he whistles. “I keep thinking about last night.”
“I wanted to talk to you about that, actually,” I gulp.
Glancing at him over my shoulder, there’s a look of surprise on his face.
“I don’t know what came over me,” I start.
“I know what came over me. All over me, actually …”
“Damn it, Ford,” I blush. “Stop.”
“Fine. I’m sorry. Continue.”
He’s not sorry. Not a bit. The smirk set deep in his cheeks tells the truth.
Sighing, I take a left towards the salon.
“Look, El. I’m not sure what you’re thinking, but I’m not sorry about what happened,” he says. “If you want me to say it was a mistake or apologize for something—”
“No,” I say hurriedly. “I, um, I don’t want you to apologize. I just didn’t expect that to happen, and I’m not sure what kind of signal it puts out.”
I can tell he’s grinning as he shifts in the seat so he’s facing me. “What kind of signal it puts out?”
“Yeah.”
“Sexy as hell? Does that work?”
I don’t look at him. If I do and see his eyes on me like I think they are, I might pull over and ravage him on the side of the road.
“If you’re insinuating that I think it meant anything more than you wanting something I could give you in that moment, I don’t,” he says, all teasing gone from his tone. “I’ll be honest and say I hope it means that you’re opening up to the idea of maybe spending some time with me.”
“Seems like a slippery slope.”
“I’ll have you know I’m passing a huge innuendo with that one,” he laughs.
“You have a one-track mind today,” I grin.
“That’s your fault.”
I sense movement to my right. Out of the corner of my eye, I see his arm reaching forward just before his palm lands on the bare skin of my thigh.
Goosebumps ripple from the spot, like a stone thrown on a lake. With every wave, my body comes alive.
Much to both my relief and regret, he doesn’t move his hand.
“To clarify, my mind is always two-track with you,” he almost whispers. “That’s how I know you’re special.”
As if the universe is finally giving me a break, I pull to the curb of a salon nestled in the back of a strip mall. A gorgeous blonde girl is standing in the front with an oversized pink bag and purple tips to her hair.
“Is that Sienna?” I ask.
He removes his hand from my leg, the skin instantly feeling cold. I turn the air conditioner down.
He rolls down his window and waves at his sister. Her face lights up and she half-runs to the car.
“Thank you,” she says as she climbs in the back. “I’m going to kill Cam.”
“Where’d she go?” Ford asks.
Sienna just rolls her eyes in response. “Thanks for coming to get me, Ellie,” she says. “It’s nice to officially meet you. Cam has said you’re a pretzel in the yoga studio.”
“Things I’d like to know,” Ford murmurs before Sienna shoots him a look.
Ignoring him, I pull back onto the road. “I’ve only practiced for a couple of years now. I’m not nearly as good as your sister.”
“I think she’s getting lots of practice in contortion these days,” Sienna laughs, watching Ford for a reaction. He glares at her.
I have no idea what I’m missing, but I laugh too. “Sounds like she’s getting a workout.”
“Trust me when I say if you saw the apparatus, you’d be wishing—”
Ford silences her with one pointed look.
“Sorry,” Sienna grins, slipping back into the seat. “Oh! Take a right here!”
I do as instructed, and in a few minutes, we are sitting outside a cute little white house with black shutters.
“Who lives here?” Ford asks.
“A friend of mine,” she says, leaning up and kissing him on the cheek. “No worries.”
“Should I accompany you to the door?”
This time it’s her that silences him with a look.
“Fine. Behave yourself,” he mutters. “And if you don’t hear from Cam, call me.”
“She’s fine. No, she’s more than fine,” Sienna laughs, ignoring the look from her brother. “Thanks again for coming to get me, Ellie. I really appreciate it.”
“It was nice meeting you,” I reply.
“Same here.”
With a final bright smile, she’s up the stairs of the little house. I pull away before Ford can try to catch a glimpse of the person inside. This frustrates him, but he doesn’t mention it.
“Did you hear that?” he groans, stretching his legs out in the small space in front of him.
“No. What are you talking about?”
“My stomach just rumbled.”
“Poor thing.” I swerve through traffic and hit my next turn-off.
“Definitely poor thing. You should feed me.”
Scoffing, I glance over my shoulder. “That’s no way to ask a girl on a date.”
“I wasn’t asking you on a date.”
“You weren’t?”
“Nope,” he says, the last consonant exaggerated. “You’d say no.”
“Probably,” I grin.
“So I was not asking you on a date,” he goes over again, “but I was suggesting we share a non-date meal with each other.”
“So you were breaking the date ice with a drive-thru meal?”
“Exactly,” he chuckles. “Let’s get a hamburger.”
Before I can respond, he’s digging in his pocket and pulling out his phone. “Fucking Graham.”
“What?”
He sticks out his bottom lip. “He’s on his way to get me.”
My giggle drifts through the car, a lightness in my soul that I want to grab on to and hold forever. “You sound like a child.”
“That’s what Graham said.”
“We both couldn’t be wrong.”
I turn left, heading back to Halcyon and away from the fast-food chains dotting the right side of the road.
“I guess we’re going to have to go on that date after all,” he says easily, like it’s the default answer.
“Or not.”
“Come on, Ellie,” he says in a faux-whine. “I’ve already had my fingers—”
“Stop!”
“Fine, fine,” he sighs. “Just go to dinner with me tonight. Let me have a moment to swoon you.”
“Swoon me?” My face is lit up with a smile so wide it makes my cheeks ache. “You want to swoon me?”
“I want to do more than that, but I’ll settle for a good swoon first.”
Pulling my car in behind a jet-black SUV, I flick off the ignition. “I can’t.”
“Don’t give me that.”
“I can’t,” I tell him. “I have plans tonight.”
“Come on!” A dark-headed version of Ford shouts from the window of the SUV.
“Fucker.” Ford climbs out the passenger’s side door. He sticks his head back in and makes one final attempt at winning me over. “I’ll take you anywhere you want. Fancy dinner? Picnic? Milkshakes and French fries? You name it and I’ll make it happen.”
“I really can’t, Ford.”
His face falls. “Okay. I’ll try harder.”
“Ford—”
“See ya later, beautiful.”
He jogs to the car in front of us, climbs in, and they take off down the road, leaving me swooning behind.