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Chapter Twenty-Six
Hadley
“I met your man friend earlier.”
Dread and jealousy churned in my stomach with Olivia’s words as I got into her car. I didn’t know where it came from, but the only man friend I had was Elijah. My older sister was gorgeous. I wondered if Olivia was his type. I bet she was. I wondered if he’d ask her out? These thoughts, coming out of nowhere, irritated me. Olivia was my rock, and she’d never intentionally hurt me, but if those two got together, I’d have to move away and never speak to either of them again.
“Elijah?” I murmured. “Did he flirt or something…?” I couldn’t believe I said that.
“He asked if you needed him to pick you up, but Aunt Olivia told him she’d do it,” Lucy said while Olivia grinned, oddly amused.
I had asked him on my birthday if he’d leave the car seats with me so we could use them while Olivia was in town. That was three days ago, and I hadn’t spoken to him in person since then. He’d texted me asking about Lucy, Eli, and me. It was like Elijah was checking up on us.
“You really like Elijah, don’t you, my Lucy?” Olivia asked as she pulled out of the hospital parking lot.
“Yeah. He’s my best friend.”
My heart stuttered. He’s my best friend.
And that was all it took to amplify my own feelings for Elijah Parker. A yearning took hold of me every time he left. I missed Elijah when he wasn’t around. Just once, I’d like to be the person brave enough to ask him to stay. Just once, I’d like to accept his help without questioning it.
“What about you, Hadley?”
“Huh?” I was in a daze.
“What do you think of him?”
“I think he’s too good to be true.”
Olivia smiled. “That means he’s your mommy’s best friend too, Lucy!”
“He likes us,” Lucy agreed.
______
“Hmmm,” Olivia muttered with Eli asleep on her chest. It was after eight o’clock. Olivia watched the same movies Lucy made Elijah watched. Then, I gave the kids a bath.
“What?” I asked her.
“You haven’t been telling me everything.”
“What do you mean?”
“About Elijah. You’re totally hot for him.”
“Shh!” I hissed, eyes staring toward Lucy’s room. “Will you be quiet? You know Lucy repeats everything she hears and not by accident. My kid’s a menace.”
She chuckled. “But seriously, sis, what are you doing? He’s into you big time. How can you not tell? You’ve got him at your beck and call. You should have seen his face when Lucy ran to him while cutting his grass. I heard it when he asked about you.” Olivia sighed and her gaze flickered toward the ceiling. “He’s completely smitten with you guys.”
I tried to see it through my sister’s eyes. The way Elijah helped us and just came over to be around. It was strange. If he wasn’t interested in us why would he do those things? It definitely wasn’t just about friendship, no matter what Elijah claimed. But still…
“You’ve seen Elijah. Why would he possibly want me? I know I’m not the worst thing to look at, but I’m not the prettiest either. And I’m a mom.”
“Oh my God. You kill me. If you’re ugly, then I’m ugly since everyone thinks we’re twins. We’re not hideous.” She huffed, pointing at my chest. “Not only are you gorgeous, but pregnancy also has given you a bangin’ body. See those bazookas and those hips? He’s probably salivating every time he’s near you and afraid of scaring the skirmish single mom. Admit it. I bet he looks at you, and I don’t mean glimpses, but full-on stares.”
My face heated. “His staring is intense, but I’ve gotten used to it.” Not really. I simply looked away, so I didn’t feel things.
“Okay, that’s it.” Sitting up with Eli still sleeping on her chest, she grabbed my phone off the coffee table and tossed it at me. “This has to stop.”
