“Apologies, madame, is my vocabulary not up to scratch foryou?”
Rowyn batted her eyelashes up at Eliza, and despite the ridiculousness of it all, Eliza couldn’t help the flutters that kicked up again.
“This is who I entrust with my children’s growing brains,” Eliza grumbled.
“Hey, my brain is still growing too. I’ve got another few years of being able to blame my silly mistakes on it,” Rowyn said with a grin.
Eliza had almost forgotten about their difference in age, mainly because it hadn’t been relevant. As she glanced around at the group that had joined them as they walked to the exit, it was clear Eliza was an outlier in terms of the age range.
“What silly mistakes would those be?” Eliza asked, careful to keep her tone light.
Rowyn looked at her knowingly.
“None that I can think of recently,” Rowyn replied.
“Good to hear,” Eliza said.
It wasn’t a conversation, but it was a start. Neither of them viewed what happened as a mistake, but it didn’t mean it could continue. That was the part they needed to iron out.
“We’re all heading out to celebrate, are you joining?” Avery asked.
“I’ve had a long week so I’m going to sit this one out, but enjoy the celebrations. It’s definitely warranted,” Eliza said to Avery before she turned to Rowyn. “See you tomorrow?”
“I’m going to head home too, I’ll grab a ride with you if you’re headed straight there,” Rowyn said.
Home.
Rowyn’s easy use of the term made Eliza happy in a way she couldn’t quite understand.
“I am, but I need to grab my car from the office car park. You should go and enjoy your night, though. I’m away next week soyou’ll have the kids solo, so take advantage while you can,” Eliza said.
Avery mumbled something that sounded suspiciously likethat’s what she’s doingbefore covering her smile with a cough. Eliza arched a brow at the implication as Rowyn shot wide eyes Avery’s way.
“I’ll text you tomorrow about meeting up on Saturday. Enjoy your night,” Rowyn said to Avery.
They huggedagainas Avery smiled at Eliza over her shoulder.
“You too,” she said with a look that held far too much knowledge for Eliza’s liking.
What has Rowyn told this virtual stranger?
The uneasiness crept into Eliza’s stomach again at the idea of Rowyn easily sharing one of the most intimate experiences of Eliza’s life with somebody she had just met. Eliza wasn’t ashamed of her sexuality, or of Rowyn, but she expected some level of discretion that wasn’t unreasonable.
“The car park is just up here. I don’t mind if you want to go out, though. You invited me to the movie, but that doesn’t mean I expect you to accompany me home.”
“Is it so surprising that Iwantto spend a bit more time with you? I invited you for that reason, Elle.”
Rowyn sounded a little more exasperated than the conversation called for, and Eliza looked at her in confusion.
“What’s wrong?” Eliza asked.
Rowyn didn’t reply right away, and the silence grew thicker as they made their way toward the car. It stood out easily as one of the few remaining vehicles in the office car park. Eliza hit the unlock button on her key, and the answering beep was loud in the silence around them.
“I’m not a fan of tiptoeing around shit.” Rowyn’s voice echoed around them and Eliza stopped walking.
She turned to look as Rowyn continued to speak.
“I’m generally straightforward about my wants and needs, and I hate not knowing where I stand. I kissed you. Before doing that, I told you that if you regretted it, we could ignore it. You’ve ignored it since, so I took the hint. You disappeared for the day Sunday, then invited me for dinner but still said nothing. You buried your head in work all week but agreed to come here tonight, so I figured maybe we could find our way to a friendship. Then you make that comment about mistakes. Also, you looked as if you wanted to murder someone anytime Avery’s arms were around me. I know what jealousy looks like, Eliza, and you were jealous. Then you keep telling me to go with them instead of coming home with you. The signals are well and truly mixed, and I’m sick of trying to untangle them. That’s what’s wrong.”
