Chapter 12
Ellie
I was loving New York more than any other city I’d worked in.
There was something about the Big Apple that just awed me.
I went out exploring almost every morning before work, nose buried in a guidebook or just looking around.
I’d already gone through the main museums, but honestly, I liked being outdoors more than inside, so I just wandered around Manhattan.
I went to NoLita, shopping for Ian’s parents.
I liked the area a lot. It was a trendy and hip neighborhood with lots of shops, mostly focusing on fashion, jewelry, and furniture.
After a lot of consideration, we decided on a pro set of grilling tools as a gift.
Neither Ian nor Dylan was sure if their parents already owned something like this, but we were buying them a professional collection that restaurants used.
Hopefully the high-end, quality grill set would outshine anything they already had.
I didn’t find anything with quick delivery times online, so I checked out a shop in NoLita that catered to restaurants but also sold to the public.
It was small but well-stocked, and the set of grill tools was just what I hoped it would be.
And an added bonus, because I was a chef, I got a discount.
I immediately texted Ian.
Ellie: The set is great. I think they’ll like it.
Ian: If the chef approves, I’m game.
Ellie: Chef approves. I’m buying them.
Ian: Thanks so much for doing this. I’m going to be extra rewarding tonight.
Ellie: Ooohh, I want details.
Ian: Not telling you anything. I’ll show you everything.
His parents were flying in, and we were to meet them that evening, so I wondered when exactly he planned to do it all, but I had faith in Ian.
He was very creative. The past two weeks, ever since we’d had sex the first time, we’d met almost daily after work.
I still couldn’t believe how amazing that night had felt.
Every detail was branded in my memory. He’d made me feel like I was a goddess.
Before Ian, I’d been almost ashamed that I was a virgin at twenty-three.
But maybe I was meant to wait for him. Don’t be ridiculously romantic, Ellie .
But I couldn’t help myself. I shimmied my hips, smiling from ear to ear. I was ridiculously giddy as I paid for the gift. Ian had given me his credit card, and I was extra careful when I put it back in my wallet. I’d lost more cards and wallets than anyone I knew—no clue how I managed that.
I loved buying presents, and I also loved giving them to people, and lately, I wasn’t able to do the latter because I was always away. But this time, I’d be right there when Ian and Dylan gave their parents the present.
After I left the store, another little shop caught my eye.
It sold fabrics. Most of Mom’s clothes were made by a seamstress; she loved to stroll through a fabric store choosing her favorite patterns.
As a kid we’d always stop and shop in the most random stores until she found exactly what she wanted.
My fashion sense didn’t apply to fabrics 100 percent, especially since I wasn’t sure what Mom would want to have it sewn into, but I couldn’t resist the temptation of going inside.
I perused the shelves and was a bit overwhelmed at the sheer number of choices: floral patterns, solid colors, plaids, and more; every type of fabric imaginable. I could text Mom pics and ask what she’d want, but I’d ruin the surprise.
Ultimately, I chose a burgundy cotton because I knew Mom liked both the color and the fabric and bought enough to make a dress out of it if she wanted to.
I walked out with a grin so huge that my face was hurting. Then I realized I started my shift in fifteen minutes and went into panic mode.
I Ubered to the restaurant, and during my shift, I kept imagining how Mom would react when she received the fabric and how Ian’s parents would respond to their present.
I liked his loyalty to his siblings, especially to Dylan and the company they’d built together. And I couldn’t believe how seriously he’d taken our conversation about being passionate about what you do. Dylan said I was a good influence on Ian. Ha! Me! I was bursting with pride.
After my shift, I went straight home and changed into a bright red dress with a golden belt and black tights.
My hair was all over the place, and I didn’t have time to wash it, so I just combed it in a way that gave it lots of volume.
It resembled a lion’s mane a bit too much for my taste, but I could make it work.
“Roar. You look like a rockstar,” Harper said, leaning against the doorway of the bathroom. I wasn’t seeing as much of her lately because I was spending quite a few evenings a week at Ian’s place, and Harper had practically moved in with her boyfriend.
“It was the only hairstyle I could pull off.”
“Girl, you’re rocking it. What’s with the gift bag next to the front door?”
“The gift is for Ian’s parents.”
Harper looked at me intently. “And you two are still not serious?”
I shrugged. “We’re enjoying each other a lot, but given everything, there’s no room for serious.”
“Define everything.”
“You know. My rotation is over in a few months, and I don’t think this will last longer.”
“Are you sure?”
My stomach flipped. I didn’t want to analyze this too closely, because the truth was, lately, I wasn’t sure about anything.
Ian picked me up at six forty-five. He was waiting for me in front of my building, leaning against a black car.
“Hello, gorgeous,” he said. He relieved me of the bag, putting it on the back seat before pulling me toward him.
He feathered his lips against mine, and just the bare touch was enough to light me up.
When he captured my mouth, kissing me hot and heavy, I just melted in his arms. I forgot everything…
including the fact that we were out on the street.
Heat coiled through me. I rose on my toes, lacing my arms around his neck, needing to be even closer. I only came to my senses when he groaned. I pulled back, looking to my right and left, giggling.
“Oops… I forgot we were in public,” I said. “You, sir, have a dangerous effect on me.”
“I’m counting on that.”
“Should we get in the car?”
“Nah. I want to kiss you some more.” The intensity in his gaze made it clear he wanted to do much more than that.
“Bad idea,” I whispered.
“I don’t think so.” He looked at my mouth until I squirmed against him. With a dimpled smile, he stepped to one side, opening the door for me.
We were to meet at a restaurant on the city's outskirts, which I’d thought was an odd choice until I researched the place and saw how beautiful it was.
It was in a greenhouse of sorts. It was completely made of glass, and there were so many plants inside that you felt like you were outdoors, smack dab in the middle of nature.
“Thanks for buying the gift,” he said once the car was in motion. I gave him back his credit card before I forgot about it.
“You’re welcome. I love buying presents. Even found a store selling fabrics, and I bought some for Mom. I’m going to FedEx it tomorrow.”
He looked at me with warm eyes. My heart skipped a beat.
“How come we’re not meeting at Isabelle’s house? You said she offered,” I asked.
“Because my parents are stubborn. We paid for their trip, so they decided to invite us to a restaurant, which is more expensive than if they’d paid for the tickets themselves. I don’t know why they’re resisting us taking care of them so much.”
He sounded exasperated. I just wanted to lean over and give him a hot and wet smooch, but I kept myself in check. Did he know how swoonworthy he sounded when he spoke about taking care of his family?
“Tell me about your parents and everyone else who will be here tonight.”
“It’s a small group. Us, Dylan and Mel, Josie and Hunter, and Isabelle. Brayden couldn’t make it.”
He gave me insights into everyone. That Isabelle was a foodie.
That Josie loved to have lunch in the park when it was sunny outside.
Dylan was addicted to workouts—though Ian wasn’t sure if it wasn’t just an excuse to spend time with his girlfriend, who was a trainer at the gym.
And he thought he didn’t notice details? My sexy guy was underselling himself.
When we arrived at the restaurant, I was awed once again by its beauty. It looked even more majestic in real life than in pictures.
I knew Isabelle and Josie, but this was the first time I’d met Dylan. Ian introduced me to Hunter and his parents, Jim and Dora, next. Ian and Dylan both resembled their dad—they had the same tall and strong build, as well as intense eyes.
Isabelle and Josie didn’t look too much like their mother, but I was one of those people who didn’t see the resemblance in family members unless it was very obvious.
Dora was ecstatic. “Goodness, I couldn’t believe it when Dylan told me you were coming with Ellie.”
I blushed, looking at Ian. He’d mentioned this dinner so casually that I didn’t think it would be a big deal. Dora seemed to think the opposite.
Ian put an arm around my shoulders, glancing at Dylan. “Didn’t you say Isabelle was the family informant?”
Dylan grinned, holding his hands up in defense. Isabelle elbowed him playfully.
“Hey! You’re bad-mouthing me now?” she asked.
“Me? Never.”
I grinned at their banter. Gah! I missed Henry even more when I was with them.
He texted me daily, and we chatted twice a week, but it wasn’t the same.
In fact, I missed my whole family. I so wished we could all be just a bit closer.
I was grateful that my parents weren’t warring with each other anymore, but I’d love for us to get together more often.
“When are we giving the presents?” Dylan asked, clearly trying to shift the focus.
Jim and Dora smiled at the group. “Whenever you want. We can do it after the toast, or we can open them right now.”
“Let’s do it now,” Isabelle said. She looked a bit smugly at Dylan and Ian. Right! Sibling rivalry on.