Chapter Twenty-One Eliott
This can’t be happening. This absolutely, one hundred per cent cannot be happening. I bite my bottom lip and push the START button again, praying that this time I’ll get a different result.
No such luck.
My car sparks to life for a few misleading seconds before letting out one last pathetic splutter as it shuts down completely.
Fuck.
My car is dead and I’ve got a wedding to be at in three short hours. A wedding that’s at least a two-hour drive away – and that’s only if I manage to beat the early morning rush hour traffic. And I have no one to blame but myself.
This is all my fault.
I knew I should’ve paid attention to the strange sounds coming from my engine when they first started up two weeks ago, but I’d pushed the issue to the side in favour of more pressing concerns.
Nan’s leg has been acting up again and I’ve spent the better part of the last few weeks ferrying her back and forth between doctor and physio appointments.
On top of that, Leanne’s finished with university for the summer and somehow she managed to convince me to become her personal moving van to help her bring a few things back to her dad’s place.
I quickly learned that we had very different definitions of ‘ a few things ’ and I ended up doing three trips back and forth with only a vague promise from Leanne to send over some money for petrol at some point.
The past few weeks have been one long series of distractions, and now my car is paying the price. My frustration reaches its peak as I slam my hands onto the steering and take in a deep, deep breath. Think, Eliott. Think.
What’re my options here?
I could order an Uber? No. Just the thought of how much that return journey would cost is more than enough for me to nix that idea as fast as it came. Ditto for renting a car with such late notice.
I could cancel. Let the couple know what’s happened and refund them their entire fee. No, can’t do that either. Not only is it wildly unprofessional, I’d never be able to live down the guilt of leaving a couple hanging on their wedding day.
What the hell am I supposed to do here?
My mind runs through a million scenarios, but nothing feels right.
Pain sears through my lip as I bite down hard enough to draw blood. I hate being in situations like this. I’m always the one who has it under control. The one who knows exactly what to do and solves everyone else’s problems. I’m not used to feeling so helpless.
‘Tell me what’s going on, and we can figure it out together.’
Dane’s voice rings in my mind as clearly as if he were sitting right next to me, and a thought jumps into my mind.
‘You don’t have to shoulder every burden yourself.’
I shove away the creeping feeling of failure and inadequacy and reach for my phone. I’ve spent so much of my life being the person everyone relies on. Choosing to lean on someone else doesn’t come naturally to me. My fingers stall over Dane’s name as excuses start to flood my mind.
It’s too early and I’m asking for too much. Aren’t I? If this were Sasha or Leanne, or literally anyone else, I’d tell them that it’s perfectly fine to reach out and ask for help. So why is it so different when it comes to me? Why do I feel like such a goddamn burden?
Hasn’t Dane shown me time and time again that he’s someone I can rely on? That he’ll hold my hand when I’m on the brink of a panic attack or spend hours in the kitchen learning how to make my favourite soup when I’m ill? That he’ll be there for me without me even having to ask.
I take a deep breath and silence the self-doubt that lingers in the back of my mind.
Dane answers on the third ring. Just the sight of his yawning face filling my phone screen sets me at ease. I feel myself relax into my seat, the anxiety and stress literally rolling off of me in waves.
He blinks a few times and then concern flits across his face. ‘Are you all right?’
Despite everything, I can’t help but smile. I’ve just woken him up before the sun has even fully risen on a Saturday morning, and the first thing he asks is that.
‘I’m fine,’ I say quickly, trying to temper the worry I can see mounting across his features. ‘I know it’s early, and you were just sleeping. But—’ I pause, nerves suddenly choking in my throat.
Dane sits up, his eyes suddenly more alert now. ‘What’s wrong, baby?’
Baby . These days, I think he calls me that more than he does Eliott . I definitely shouldn’t like it as much as I do.
‘My car’s broken down,’ I tell him. ‘And I’ve got a wedding in a couple of hours and—’
His face disappears from the screen and his next words are muffled by the sound of blankets rustling. ‘Give me twenty minutes. Is that all right?’
‘I haven’t even asked you yet,’ I say, blinking in disbelief at the now-empty screen.
Dane’s face pops back into view. He shrugs and lets out another tired yawn. ‘You didn’t have to.’
‘I really do owe you one.’
Dane puts his van in park and then shoots me a decidedly unimpressed sideways glance. ‘How many times are you gonna say that?’
My lips curve into a sheepish grin. In the two and a half hours it took us to arrive at the venue, I’ve probably uttered some form of thanks to him at least twenty times. ‘Got it,’ I laugh. ‘No more thanking you.’
‘Exactly,’ Dane says, matching my grin with a wide one of his own. ‘I’m here for you, baby. It’s not even a question.’
But it should be. Shouldn’t it?
I’ve never had anyone in my life be so willing to go above and beyond for me. I’m used to being that person for everyone, and it feels weird being on the other side of things.
‘You look gorgeous, by the way.’
I’ve never been one to shy away from a compliment, but there’s something about the way he’s staring at me, the way his gaze appreciatively roves over my body, that sends a current of heat pulsing through my veins.
There’s nothing particularly special about my dress.
As a wedding photographer, I’ve had to learn how to blend in with the crowd yet still dress appropriately for the wedding without veering too much into the territory of looking like a guest. Today is a formal affair, a few notches down from full-blown black tie, and I’m wearing a simple wrap dress.
I follow Dane’s line of sight, watching the way he slowly maps out every one of my curves.
He lingers around my waist and the urge to lean across the space between us, crawl into his lap, and let him do every single dirty thought that’s currently flitting through my mind is overwhelming to say the least.
I clear my throat and his gaze reluctantly flickers up to meet mine. ‘Thanks.’
He makes a noncommittal noise of approval and then nods to something just outside my line of sight through the window. ‘Looks like you’re up.’
I glance over my shoulder and spot a taxi pulling into the currently deserted car park.
This venue doubles up as a boutique hotel, and the bride is going to get dressed here before her guests arrive.
I watch as my bride for the day climbs out of her taxi dressed in a white loungewear combo with the word brIDE splashed across the front.
Several women I assume are her bridesmaids spill out after her, all looking ridiculously excited and giddy.
I feel my own surge of excitement as I watch them wander up to the hotel entrance. It’s always good when the client and the wedding party are in high spirits, their mood almost infectious.
‘And you’re sure you’re fine to wait here?’ I ask for probably the umpteenth time.
‘It’s too late to change my mind now,’ Dane drawls before reaching forward and running a thumb along my jawline. I lean into the touch without thinking about it. ‘But, yes . I’m more than sure. Like I said—’
‘You’re here for me?’
His smile turns soft. ‘Exactly. Always.’
Always.
For the first time since I slid into his van this morning, there’s no doubt in my mind that he really means what he’s saying right now.
Dane will always put me first.
My heart clenches and a wave of emotions threatens to drown me. I tear my gaze away from him before I do something stupid like burst into tears.
‘Cool,’ I choke out, my voice noticeably thick. In my periphery I see him frown. ‘I’ll come back during my break; maybe try to steal an extra plate for you to eat if I can. If you get bored, or change your mind—’
‘I’m not going to change my mind, baby.’
‘Right.’ I risk one last glance up at him and offer him a watery smile. ‘I’ll see you in a bit.’
He nods, a small frown pinching his brows together. ‘See you.’
The wedding serves as the perfect distraction to the maelstrom of thoughts swirling in my mind. For the next four hours, I let myself forget all about Dane and the way he’s currently making me feel.
I usually look forward to the reception dinner when I get a break for an hour or so and can camp out in my car and decompress for a little.
But Dane is out there waiting for me tonight and just the thought of him has me gulping for air.
Because I’ve started to realise that Sasha was only half right.
I do want to fuck him.
But I think I also want something more. And that’s just not going to happen. We’ve got a good thing going on with our friendship and besides, Dane just isn’t the kind of person who does serious.
He doesn’t do long term.
He definitely doesn’t do love.
And I’m pretty sure that’s where I’m heading.
Fucking hell.
I think I’m falling in love with Dane. Hell, I might be there already.
All the emotions I’ve been keeping at bay while I’ve been working suddenly come flooding back, hitting me like a wave as I shoulder open the door and step out into the car park.
Dane’s van is exactly where I left it, but there’s no sign of him sitting in the front seat. Instead, the back doors are open and I can see his legs swinging over the edge.
He grins, wide and bright, as I approach and despite everything, I can’t help but smile right back.
‘How is it so far?’ he asks, shuffling over slightly so I’ve got some space to slot beside him.