“It’s chicken soup from the diner and some medicine.” She pulls a jug of orange juice out of another bag and then hands me the box of medicine.
“How about you head back to bed? I’ll warm your soup up so you can eat before I go pick up the boys.” Ella stands and holds out her hand to me.
I placed the container of soup in her outstretched palm before getting to my feet. She turns to walk away, but I pull her back to face me. Glancing down at her face, I took in her features.
“I changed the subject for your comfort. But I want you to know that I said what I meant.”
Her eyes flutter down to her feet. “I know Mitch. I just—”
Using my finger, I tilt her head back up to me, cutting off her words. “I’m not rushing you for a reply. I just wanted you to know how I felt and what this is to me.”
I watch as all the fear and hesitancy cloud her gaze. I can read every doubt that runs through her mind as if it’s an open book. She’s terrified of others finding out and having opinions, but I also know it’s more than that. Her fear is deeper than just being ostracized and judged.
I drop my head down and place a kiss on her forehead, hating that I’m sick because I can’t kiss her lips.
Standing back up straight, I turn and head into the bedroom. My body is exhausted. I doubt I’ll be up long enough to even taste the soup.
Your Dreams
Chapter Twenty
Mitchell
It’s been nearly two weeks since I dropped the ‘I love you’ bomb. And although our relationship hasn’t changed, she has yet to say it back or bring it up. Granted, since it’s been my two weeks with Jacob, she and I have had little alone time together.
Ella kept her word. For three days, she kept Jacob at her house while I recovered. Every morning she was at my home, checking on me and making sure I had juice, breakfast, and meds by my bed. On her lunch break, she brought me soup and more fluids.And when she got home with the boys after work, she got me out the bed, changed the sheets and made me dinner.
I’ve never been more cared for in my life. Not since I was a child. By the second day, I told her I was better, and she didn’t have to do as much. She still came three times a day.
Today, I was surprising her with a pop-up lunch visit. Parking my truck, I quickly hop out and head to her office building. I spoke to the front desk receptionist before taking the elevator up to Ella’s floor. As soon as I step off the elevator, she spots me. I could die a happy man knowing that her face lights up the way it does when she sees me.
“Hey, beautiful.”
“Hey! What are you doing here?”
I stopped right in front of her window. “Taking my girl out for lunch.”
She shyly glances at the young receptionist beside her before turning back to me. I can read the uncertainty on her face. But I told her I wasn’t hiding how I felt about her, and I didn’t care who saw it.
“I have another ten minutes before my break.” She looks down at her watch.
“All good, I can wait.” I turn from her and head over to the waiting area.
The young receptionist said something to Ella that made her blush. When both women turn to me, I smile and wink. The young woman giggled before saying something else.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I pull it out.
Devon: Poker night at my house next Saturday.
Poker night used to be a once-a-month thing with me and the guys. It comprised of me, Andrew, Devon, Jack, Quincy, and Shaun. Devon, Quincy, and I all played football in college. Devon and I roomed together my freshman and sophomore years.Shaun went to high school with me and Andrew. And Jack was Andrew's law school friend.
Because Andrew and I were so close, we brought our friends together. It was perfect until it wasn’t. Andrew never asked our friends to take sides in the divorce, and rightfully so. But since I was team Ella, I didn’t really enjoy going to the poker nights anymore because I knew he would be there.
It feels even less like a place I want to be now.
Me: Doubt I’ll be able to make it.
Devon: Hell no, Miller. It’s been months since the last time you came to a poker night. You owe me this.
