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“Oh,” I point vaguely down the hall. “Just getting something in my room. I’ll be down in a few.”
“Alright.” She air kisses me. “Maybe when you come back down, you’ll have on that hot little Body Glove bikini. I know Royce would love nothing more than to stare at your rack all day.”
“Please,” I roll my eyes.
“What?” she asks innocently. “He wants you, girl. You should totally go for it.”
“No,” I shake my head. “I’ll tell you what I just told Asher. I don’t have any interest in dating anyone in our group.”
“Why not? Skye is.”
“Yeah, and where is she?” I look around for emphasis. “When you date, you only lose yourself in that person, and I don’t want to do that and ruin anything.”
“Ruin what?” she asks, confused.
“Our group,” I say simply. “Dating can ruin friendships.” It’s a lie but I’ve learned, the less Courtney knows about truths, the better.
“Oh, Elle,” she laughs. “You’re adorable.”
I pull back, my smile fading a bit. “How so?”
“That you think escaping us is possible.”
“Jesus,” I sigh. “You sound like Royce.”
“Yeah, well, he knows what he’s talking about. His dad has already been grooming him, and our parents, Dex and I, too. Your dad would have had he not…” Her voice trails off and she puts a hand on my shoulder. “Shit, sorry.”
I clear my throat and toss my own hair back. “It’s fine. Look, go back to the party, play hostess for me, and I’ll see you in a bit.”
She drops her hand and shoots me a winning smile. “K. Bye babe.”
Without another word she bounds down the stairs and I head to my room, more determined than ever to get to the bottom of whatever is going on because something is. I can’t ignore the nagging feeling in my gut. I just don’t know what…yet.
Chapter 12
Cruz
It’s been a couple of days since Ellery and I brokered our little truce and things have been interesting.
I haven’t gone over to the house again, no matter how tempted I am. I don’t want her to get freaked out by my sudden return to her life and have second thoughts about what we’re doing.
I have, however, run into her on the boardwalk a few times—almost like the universe is crossing our paths for us—and each time I do, I want her more and more.
The first time she was with the dicks from Elmhurst, but the next few times it was just her and Jenica, and the difference in her was noticeable.
Ellery is happy when she’s with her friend. Her smile looks natural and effortless. It’s not that fake bullshit one she wears when she’s with those Elmhurst pricks. She also doesn’t keep her distance from me like she did when I ran into her that first time. She actually grins and makes small talk, before going about her night.
Regardless of who she’s with, or how she acts, one thing is clear—Ellery is back in my orbit, and the sky hasn’t fallen. While no, it isn’t the same as being together, knowing Iwillsee her again and that itwon’tbe the end of the world, tells me peace between usispossible.
I’d be lying, however, if I said that working her from my system as part of that peace was going to be easy because I know that it won’t. My inability to keep my hands to myself the two times we were alone has made that painstakingly clear.
Touching her again, pleasing her in a way that only I could,awakened my primal need for her. My craving for another taste was so palpable, I could feel it even now as I get ready to head out to have dinner with our parents.
As promised, my dad and Saffron came to Cherry Cove for the weekend, and as soon as they arrived, called to invite me over to dinner. Saffron was baking her infamous blue crab and I was looking forward to seeing them both, and particularly, surprising Ellery.
“I’m headed to my dad’s now,” I call over my shoulder as I make my way into the kitchen to grab the wine I bought earlier.
“All right man,” Jake calls back. He and Marcus are playing SEGA, while Cal is out back taking practice swings.
