Chapter 15
Ian
When I had a goal, I didn’t stop until I reached it—even better, until I surpassed it. My current goal was to do something for Ellie’s birthday that she’d really enjoy.
It was no easy feat, especially given my record with bad gifts. I wanted to surprise her, so my task was doubly hard because I couldn't ask her what she wanted or what she liked. After we came back from Bear Mountain State Park, I thought intently about it for a week, but I wasn’t making progress.
I wasn’t too proud to admit I needed help. I thought about asking Henry and almost pressed his number but disconnected before it went through. He'd get suspicious if I asked him; dude knew me too well.
Tapping my finger against the armrests of the gaming chair in my office, I debated my next step. There was only one way to do this. I called Isabelle. She knew me well too, but I could use that to my advantage. My sister answered right away.
"Hey, I need a favor," I said.
"Shoot."
"It's about Ellie."
"Ian, be careful with her, okay? You two are spending a lot of time together. Don't hurt her."
I frowned, starting to get pissed. Why did she expect that? Did everyone expect that, including Ellie? I didn't like the thought that she might be waiting for the other shoe to drop.
"I’ll pretend you didn’t just say that. Her birthday is in a couple of weeks, and I want to do something for her that she'll like."
"Holy shit! I take back everything I said!" my sister exclaimed.
“And apologize,” I added.
"I wouldn't take it that far.”
“Just find out what she'd like to do, please ."
"Why don't you just ask her?"
"Because I want to surprise her."
"Yes, but you can ask her casually. Like, Oh, what do you usually do on your birthday? Or what were your favorite birthdays until now? Or is there something you want to do that you've never done before ?"
I leaned back in my chair, considering this. "That could work, but I think the surprise will be bigger if she doesn't know that I know what she likes."
There was a long pause before Isabelle spoke. "Brother, I can't believe you're finally showing signs of being romantic."
"I just want to surprise her," I said.
"You know, when we were kids, I always thought you were adopted," she said out of nowhere.
I burst out laughing. "Isabelle!"
"I mean it. I even asked Mom about it. Couldn't understand why you were so different from Dylan and me."
"You what? Well, I’m sure she told you I’m her favorite."
"You wish. And by the way, you didn't flinch when I called you romantic."
"How do you know? You can't even see me."
"No, but I can hear it in your voice."
"Isabelle, are you going to help me or not?"
"Yes, I'm on it, but first, I want to know some things.”
“Sure.”
“Where do you see yourself in five years?”
I straightened in my chair. “I’m sorry, is this a job interview and I wasn’t aware?”
“I mean it. Just answer me.”
“I don’t know. Dylan and I will likely double the revenue, and?—”
“In your private life.”
I frowned at my computer, pondering this.
I’d never asked myself this question. Was this something people actively thought about?
It seemed a bit farfetched, but I didn’t want to hurt Isabelle’s feelings by telling her that.
I just couldn’t see the point of this. Some things were out of one’s control—even mine.
“You know what, you don’t even have to tell me. But think about it.”
“Fine, I will. When are you speaking to Ellie?”
“I'll put on my detective hat, and I'll find out everything you need to know."
I groaned, looking out the window. "Now that you say it, maybe I should have put Josie on this."
"Why?" My sister sounded shocked, so maybe there was something to be said about interpreting the tone of voice.
"Because you have as much tact as I do."
My sister laughed. "I'd get mad if you weren't right. But I have refined my technique over the years, you know?"
"Maybe you can take Josie with you when you go on your detective mission."
"Now you're pushing it, but if it makes you feel better, I will."
"Thanks, Isabelle."
Ellie was important to me, and I didn’t want her to have any doubt about it.
I worked two hours purely on coding, and then I did something I hadn’t in years.
I checked the page of the local high school for teaching jobs.
In college, I’d thought seriously about teaching but then changed gears.
For the first time, I wondered if I could do both.
I didn’t think teaching in a school was compatible with running the company, but an idea was shaping up in my mind.
I wouldn’t need to be there physically to teach.
That was one of the reasons I liked coding.
I didn’t even have to leave the room to do the job.
I could set up a platform online that taught coding. I couldn’t wait to tell Ellie my idea.
That evening, I got a pleasant surprise when Tess, Ryker, and Skye asked me to have dinner with them at Dumont’s—one of the restaurants owned by Skye’s husband.
The Winchesters were Hunter’s cousins, so I saw them at common events, but it had been a while since we’d gone out in an impromptu get-together.
All the Winchesters were married or engaged, and some even had kids.
That made spontaneous meetings difficult, but the three of them were in Manhattan at one of the Dumont restaurants.
Skye: Can you bring Ellie too?
Ian: She’s working late today.
When I got there, Tess, Ryker, and Skye were sitting at a small table in the back, already eating fresh bread with something that looked like cheese spread.
“Hey, Ian. Long time no see,” Tess said.
“I was waiting for Ellie in front of your store last week,” I said, calling her out on her claim.
“We saw but didn’t want to disturb you two,” Tess explained.
“How come you guys are having dinner in the city?” I asked.
“Rob asked us to taste some of the new menu items he’s added,” Skye said.
“So that’s why you wanted me to bring Ellie.”
Tess winked at me. “That, and so we could spend time with her.”
“So, where is the rest of the gang?” I asked.
“Rob is in the kitchen. Cole and Laney are in Rome. Liam is caught in a meeting, though he might join us later. And no other Gallagher had time for us. In their defense, it was a spur-of-the-moment thing. Rob wanted our opinion before he discussed the menu with his team tomorrow.”
“I’m no expert in food, but I like to eat, so I’ll give my honest opinion,” Ryker said.
“Well, none of us are experts, just foodies,” Tess said. She and Skye owned two lingerie shops in the city and had a huge online business, and Ryker worked on Wall Street.
“Why couldn’t Ellie come?” Tess asked.
“They’re doing some personnel changes, so she’s covering for others too. It started a few weeks ago. They’re overworking her, and I don’t like it.”
Tess’s eyes bulged. Skye opened her mouth to say something but closed it again. The two sisters eyed each other.
“Is it just me, or does he sound overprotective?” Tess asked. “I’ve only ever heard him speak like this about Josie and Isabelle.”
“It’s not just overprotective. He sounds like he cares for her,” Skye added thoughtfully.
Ryker cocked a brow. “Why are you talking about him in the third person?”
“I’d like to know too,” I said.
Skye and Tess flashed identical grins.
“Sorry, we’re just surprised,” Skye said. “We heard she was just your best friend’s younger sister.”
“We’re behind on the news,” Tess said seriously.
“What are you talking about? You met her last week and asked me to bring her here, so you know I’m dating her.”
Tess held up a finger. “Exactly. Dating. But this is more than that. You almost sound… in love.”
She was grinning again. I frowned, shaking my head.
“Ellie is on a rotational program. She’s got everything mapped out. I can’t ask her to change her plans for me.”
I didn’t sound convincing even to my own ears because I wanted to do just that.
“Okay, enough psychoanalysis for one evening. We’re here to eat,” Ryker said. Just as I was about to thank him for having my back, he added, “But if Tess and Skye are even remotely right, do yourself a favor and do something about it.”
So much for having my back.
Tess narrowed her eyes at Ryker. “When are we only remotely right?”
Ryker held up his hands in defense. “Just a figure of speech. But I’m serious. Let’s focus on dinner.”
To my astonishment, they didn’t bring up Ellie for the rest of the evening, but she was on my mind the whole time. When I was with her, I felt such deep happiness that I hadn’t even been aware existed. I didn’t know if I could go back to the way things were after Ellie left.
We ate the whole menu in forty-five minutes. I liked everything, which I knew wasn’t too helpful for Rob. He needed detailed feedback.
“Well, I think that’s the best we can do,” Skye said, kissing Rob’s cheek. He’d come to the table to interrogate us after we tasted the dessert.
“I’m not a detail-oriented guy, man. Sorry,” I added.
“No, this is good. I just wanted an opinion, not a critique.” Turning to Skye, he asked, “Want to go home?”
“Yes. Mom said Jonas is sleeping already, but I want to give him a smooch anyway.”
“I’ll go too,” Ryker said. “I don’t like leaving Heather alone with the kids in the evening. They have a wild streak before going to bed.”
As we finished our drinks, I took out my phone, messaging Ellie.
Ian: Shift over?
Ellie: Yes. Just got home. I can’t even feel my feet. And I’m starving. Maria’s out of empanadas, and the pizza shop only had the salami option left.
Ian: I’m at Dumont’s. I’ll bring you something. Want a menu?
Instead of a text reply, Ellie sent me a picture. She was grinning from ear to ear, holding her thumb in an okay sign. It made me laugh.
Ian: Judging by your enthusiasm, that’s a yes. I’ll be there in half an hour.
Ellie: Harper’s sleeping at her boyfriends’. I’ll be waiting naked.
Ian: Fucking hell, woman. Why are you tempting me like this? Want me to forget dinner?
Ellie: Oh, no. It was just an incentive so you get here faster.
I grinned, pocketing my phone before I forgot my head. I ordered food to go as the party split up.
I arrived at her place in twenty-five minutes and knocked at the door. Ellie opened the next moment, wide-eyed, flushed—and still dressed.
I cocked a brow. “What was that about waiting for me naked?”
She blew a strand of hair from her eyes. “You’re early.”
“Five minutes.”
“I didn’t even shower.”
Wiggling my eyebrows, I stepped inside. “We can do it together.”
She was cute as hell all worked up like this. I dangled the bag of food in front of her. She licked her lips and immediately grabbed it, heading to the kitchen. I laughed, following her.
“Already forgot about the shower and everything else, huh?”
She looked at me over her shoulder, smiling sheepishly. “Food trumps everything. Thanks so much for bringing this. Tell me about your day while I eat.”
She stood at the kitchen counter, eating directly out of the takeout box while I went through my day.
“I also looked up teaching jobs on a whim. It was something I liked when I was in college. A few times I worked as a teacher’s aide helping students after hours, and I enjoyed watching them understand the process.”
Ellie looked up in surprise. “Your mom said that she always thought you’d go into teaching.”
I jerked my head back. “She did?”
A smile spread on her face. “Did you find anything interesting?”
“Nah, no openings, but then I realized I wouldn’t have time for physical teaching, you know, like being in a classroom, but I have a few ideas about how to do it remotely.”
“Tell me.”
Her curiosity lit me up. She was genuinely interested.
“I could design online courses that people with all skill levels could access. I don’t have a detailed outline. I only thought about it today.”
“It sounds cool.”
It felt good to share this with her. I looked forward to talking to Ellie in the evening every day.
When we didn’t meet, we spoke on the phone.
I couldn’t keep my hands off her, so while she washed her hands at the sink, I skimmed mine up the sides of her body, pressing my pelvis against her ass.
Pushing her hair to one side, I kissed the back of her neck.
She sighed softly. Goose bumps popped on her arms. I’d miss these quiet evenings when she left. I’d miss her .
Before, I’d never understood why Dylan, Isabelle, and the Winchesters were in a hurry to go home to their partner whenever we were out, but I had learned, and I wasn’t ready to give this up.