“Kristen?”
“She’s not a problem.”
I shoot him a dubious look. “So, the only reason she was at the wharf was to warn you about the shocking rumor about us? How noble of her.”
His dark brows knit together. “Is that what this is about? Elsie, there are no other women in my life right now.”
My mouth drops open in disbelief. He thinks I’mjealous? The nerve of him. The gall! “This is aboutyoutalking aboutmebehind my back!”
“Once.”
“Except it wasn’t once, was it?”
“Els.”
“No. No moreEls. We aren’t friends or buddies or mates. I know tonight wasn’t the first time you’ve said mean things about me.”
“How can you know—”
“Because myrealfriend told me!” I grimace. Sawyer’s not exactly a friend, either…yet.
“I swear to you—”
I stick my palm in Luke’s face. That shuts him up, even if it is one of the rudest things I’ve ever done. My hand quickly retreats. I hate raising my voice. The initial thrill of being brave fades under the all too familiar anxiety. I hate all this… this… mess.
“You said this would be fun,” I say, furiously scrubbing away any traces of tears left on my cheeks. “I’m not having fun anymore.”
“Elsie—”
“I hope I never see you again.”
Wishful thinking. St Helens is a small town. I’m going to see Luke again at some point, even if I sneak around in my trench coat and the fedora hat gathering dust on the top shelf of my closet. I won’t be able to avoid him forever. But that doesn’t mean I have to waste another minute on him now.
“Addio!”I say.
I spent enough years studying abroad to learn a little Italian.Addiois a goodbye for when you really mean it. Forever. See you later, backstabbing traitor. I storm off, channeling every ounce of frustration into getting away as quickly as possible. My satchel swings against my hip, but the only footsteps I hear are my own.
“Elsie! I’m sorry!”
I don’t even waste another glance on Luke. I shout into the dark, “You should be!” and I keep walking.
Dear Elsie…
Dear Elsie,
I learned your name today.
Two women at the grocery store were gossiping about the new girl at the clinic. You. Elsie Hoskins. You are a mystery to them…and to me.
Where did you come from?
Why are you here?
Are you shy, Elsie?
You smile at everyone but talk to almost no one. I want a smile. I want you to talk to me. We’ve only exchanged a look, and you turned away before I could say hello, but something happened to me the first time our eyes met outside the cafe. I don’t have a word to describe what that feeling is yet.
Does it matter?
