Cole winced. “Let me guess. That didn’t go over well?”
Eli sighed. “I think it came across as that’s theonlyreason I want to hang out with her.”
“Ouch.”
“Yeah. I swear whenever she’s around I insert my foot into my mouth.”
“So go tell her how you feel.”
“I don’t exactly know how I feel.” Eli knew it wasn’t the whole truth. He knew he really liked her. She was the first person to make him feel something in a long time. She was special, and he was terrified he was going to blow it.
Cole pointed at the door. “Go out there and tell her you want to take her on a proper date, regardless of whether Lauren is stalking you.”
“I just worry it’ll end badly.” Eli scrubbed his face again. In the back of his mind, that wasn’t exactly why he hesitated. He wasn’t sure he wanted to take the risk.
“Once in a while, it’s worth taking a risk.” Cole leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. “The question is, if you don’t, and she ends up with someone else, are you going to regret it?”
Just the thought of her being with someone else made him insanely jealous. He had never been a possessive person, but with her, he wasn’t sure he could see her with anyone but him.
He scrubbed a hand over his chin and nodded. “Thanks, man. I needed that.”
“Anytime.”
9
Aknock on her apartment door had Molly smoothing her sweater dress down. She quickly glanced in the mirror to check her makeup before pulling the door open. Eli stood on the other side with a bouquet of tulips. His hair had been cut and neatly styled with his beard trimmed. She wanted to rake her hands through it so badly. Instead, she clenched her fists at her sides.
He smiled and looked her up and down. “Molly, you look incredible.”
A blush crept up her cheeks. “Thank you.”
“These are for you.” He handed her the bouquet, and she closed her eyes while she inhaled. Flowers were one of her favorite things about spring. The fresh blooms and color coming alive after a dark winter. It would always be her favorite season for that reason alone.
“Come in.” She opened the door wider for him to follow her inside as she walked to the kitchen and put the flowers in a vase. Eli remained near the door, but his eyes tracked over the entire room. Having someone in her space felt weird. It had been a long time since she had had that.
Back in Denver, she had her own place, but was rarely home because of her demanding work schedule. It all felt like a waste—having a lavish apartment that she couldn’t even enjoy.
Moving to Storyville had been a tremendous change. Not just because she was in a small town away from everyone she knew. And not because she was in a completely new job. It was because she had a smaller place; she was home more, and she never took her work home with her.
Except to think about Eli.
“Shall we?” Eli held out his arm, and Molly took it, walking with him to his car.
He pulled the passenger door open, and after she sat, he closed the door behind her before making his way around to the driver’s side.
Once he slid onto the seat, he looked over at her and smiled. “I thought we’d head to Rousseau Paradis for dinner. Have you been?”
She shook her head. “No, but I’ve heard it’s good.”
“It’s fantastic. After dinner, we could go to the rooftop club and grab drinks as well, if you’d like.”
“That sounds great.”
Eli put the car in drive and headed down the street. If he hadn’t mentioned it all being for appearances, she would have thought it was a real date. Bringing her flowers and opening her car door in front of her apartment wasn’t part of the deal. With just the small glimpses, she knew that whoever ended up with him would be one hell of a lucky woman.
If only it could be her.
Eli parked the car and then ran around to her side, opening the door for her and offering his arm for her to take. She wrapped her fingers around his elbow and walked beside him.
