Chapter Twenty
Your Dreams
Mitchell
It’s been nearly two weeks since I dropped the ‘I love you’ bomb. And although our relationship hasn’t changed, she has yet to say it back or bring it up. Granted, since it’s been my two weeks with Jacob, she and I have had little alone time together.
Ella kept her word. For three days, she kept Jacob at her house while I recovered.
Every morning she was at my home, checking on me and making sure I had juice, breakfast, and meds by my bed.
On her lunch break, she brought me soup and more fluids.
And when she got home with the boys after work, she got me out the bed, changed the sheets and made me dinner.
I’ve never been more cared for in my life. Not since I was a child. By the second day, I told her I was better, and she didn’t have to do as much. She still came three times a day.
Today, I was surprising her with a pop-up lunch visit.
Parking my truck, I quickly hop out and head to her office building.
I spoke to the front desk receptionist before taking the elevator up to Ella’s floor.
As soon as I step off the elevator, she spots me.
I could die a happy man knowing that her face lights up the way it does when she sees me.
“Hey, beautiful.”
“Hey! What are you doing here?”
I stopped right in front of her window. “Taking my girl out for lunch.”
She shyly glances at the young receptionist beside her before turning back to me. I can read the uncertainty on her face. But I told her I wasn’t hiding how I felt about her, and I didn’t care who saw it.
“I have another ten minutes before my break.” She looks down at her watch.
“All good, I can wait.” I turn from her and head over to the waiting area.
The young receptionist said something to Ella that made her blush. When both women turn to me, I smile and wink. The young woman giggled before saying something else.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I pull it out.
Devon: Poker night at my house next Saturday.
Poker night used to be a once-a-month thing with me and the guys.
It comprised of me, Andrew, Devon, Jack, Quincy, and Shaun.
Devon, Quincy, and I all played football in college.
Devon and I roomed together my freshman and sophomore years.
Shaun went to high school with me and Andrew.
And Jack was Andrew's law school friend.
Because Andrew and I were so close, we brought our friends together. It was perfect until it wasn’t. Andrew never asked our friends to take sides in the divorce, and rightfully so. But since I was team Ella, I didn’t really enjoy going to the poker nights anymore because I knew he would be there.
It feels even less like a place I want to be now.
Me: Doubt I’ll be able to make it.
Devon: Hell no, Miller. It’s been months since the last time you came to a poker night. You owe me this.
I chuckle as I reply.
Me: More like a year since I came. And how do I owe you? You and I hang out all the time.
Devon and I often met for beers at Smoke’s. Most of the time Quincy joins us, but Devon is a constant.
Devon: You and I hanging out is one thing, but poker night is different.
And since it’s been a year, that’s even more of a reason you should come.
Plus, you owe me since I got that information on the dentist for you and had my people go get his car.
You can’t use the county resources and not pay them back.
This time I laugh out loud.
“What’s so funny?”
I look up to find my beauty standing in front of me. Her bag is on her shoulder. This time her scrubs are a pretty light blue color. Her hair is pushed back behind her ears, showcasing her beautiful face.
“Devon is giving me a hard time,” I say as I stand to my feet. I slide my phone into my back pocket, not worrying about replying to Devon.
“About what?” I like the way her brow scrunches.
“Nothing. Let’s go.” I grab her hand in mine and lead her out of the building. “How’s your day so far?”
She shrugs. “Not bad. We really haven’t been that busy this week since one of the doctors is on vacation. In fact, I’ve been spending half of my day going through my orders for this week.”
When we get to the truck, I let her hand go to open the door for her.
“You got a lot of requests?”
Ella climbs into the cabin of the truck. I handed her the seatbelt buckle. She takes it from me and snaps in before turning back to me with a smile.
“Just a few cakes and a set of cupcakes. Not too much.”
I close her door and make my way around to the driver's side. As soon as I get in and situated, I turn the engine on.
“I thought we were going out for lunch?” Ella points to the bag in the back seat that is filled with our lunch.
“Just sit back and enjoy the ride, baby.” I sent a wink in her direction before backing out of the parking space and heading to my destination.
We made small talk for the fifteen-minute drive. When my truck stops in front of the vacant glass-front store in the busy strip mall, Ella glances around.
“Um, babe. Why are we here?”
I reach into the back seat and grab our lunch. Pulling out the deli sandwiches and chips, I distributed our lunches. Turning back to face the vacant store, I say.
“We are here to un-bury dreams.”
Her brow pinches. “I don’t understand.”
I take a bite out of my patty melt before speaking. “This place used to be a donut shop. I know the guy who owns the strip mall. He’s looking to fill that store with another bakery or pastry-type shop.”
I watch as realization dawns on her. Those beautiful, expressive eyes slowly widened.
“I....I can’t.”
“Why can’t you?” I turn to face her, my back pressed against the driver’s door.
She shakes her head. “The boys are…”
“Eleven and fifteen. Old enough to take care of themselves and understand Mama has a business she needs to run. Next?” I take another bite of my sandwich as I wait for her to tell me the next made-up thing that would hinder her dreams.
Her mouth opens and closes a few times. “The timing isn’t right.”
“It’s perfect. You already have a good customer base from your online shop. You can easily transfer them over to a brick-and-mortar building. Come on, baby. You have to try harder than this.”
She chuckles, looking over at the store and then back at me. “I’d have to take out a loan. I mean, I have some money saved up, but it won’t be enough. And after the divorce, it’s going to be hard.”
Wiping my mouth, I place my sandwich back down on the crinkled paper it was wrapped in, and then wipe my hands.
“This is the best part. You won’t be doing it alone.
I’ve been wanting to invest my money in more things, and an up-and-coming bakery seems like a brilliant investment.
Plus, my company will do all the renovations, which will cut down on the initial cost to get this place up and running.
The man who owns the mall will work with me.
He’s renting this place out to me for half the cost of anyplace else for the first five years. ”
“I can’t let you do that. Mitchell, that’s too much.”
Reaching across the armrest, I grabbed her hands in mine.
“Ella, for years I’ve watched you do everything in your power to take care of the people around you. Your sons, your friends, your family, Andrew, Hell, even me.”
Her gaze drops to her lap. I lift it back up with a finger under her chin.
“After college, you looked at a washed-up football player that had no plans for anything else and spoke life into me. You’re the one who told me I had more to offer the world than tackles.
It was your words that inspired me to open my business.
And even if you and I aren’t together, I want this for you.
I want to be the one to give this to you because I love you and you deserve it. Please, let me do this."
Her brown eyes fill with tears. She turns back to the simple glass storefront.
“You really believe I can do it?” She turns and looks at me, tears running down her cheeks.
Reaching across the console, I used my thumb to wipe them away. “Hell yeah. Have you not tasted your lemon pound cake? That shit alone could make us billions.”
I live for the soft laughter that flows from her lips. She sniffles and wipes her eyes as she turns to face the store again.
“Okay,” she mumbles.
“Okay? You’re going to let me invest in you?”
Her grin is contagious.
“Yes!”
“Hell yeah.” I pull her over the armrest and plant my lips on hers. I push my tongue past her lips and into her mouth, sucking on her bottom lip as I go. She moans in my mouth and I attempt to pull her even further into my lap. She laughs and pulls back from the kiss.
“Whoa. We don’t have time. And this parking lot is too full for a repeat of the trade show.”
I lean in and drop one more quick kiss on her lips before letting her go. “Eat your lunch.”
Although I go back to my side of the truck and allow her to hers, I won’t lie as if my dick isn’t hard as a brick. With Jacob being with me, it’s been damn near three weeks since I’ve been able to get my fill of her. And I’m going through withdrawals.
“Aunt Ella, you make the best fried pork chops,” Jacob says with his mouth full of food.
Tonight, we were having dinner at Ella’s.
This has become part of our routine. Either Ella cooks, or I will bring home dinner.
We all sit around the table when all the boys are here and eat dinner together.
It doesn’t feel abnormal because we would do this a few times out of the week even before Ella and I started dating.
“Jay, you say that about everything my mom cooks,” Cam playfully teases his best friend.
I’m seated at the head of the table closest to the door. Ella was across from me at the other end. On my right is Jacob, and next to him is Cameron. On my left is a silent AJ.
“It’s okay, Jacob. At least I know you actually appreciate what I cook,” Ella gives Cameron a playful scolding look.