Shocked, he jolts back in the chair.
“Please don’t think I’m not grateful for the kindness you’ve shown me,” I say. “Last night…and preparing for the auction… It meant so much to me.”
“Jesus, Els.” He spears his fingers through his hair. “This is the easy letdown speech.”
“There was nothingeasyabout how we ended. You hurt me so much.”
“And I’ve explained—”
“And I listened. And I forgive you. I honestly do. But there’s a part of me that can never forget what you did. I’ve changed because of that day. If I’d never overheard what you said,thatwoman would be jumping for joy to move in with you. But Ididhear you, and I’ve winged every lesson life has thrown at me since. I failed one of them, but…” I shake my head. “I’m different now.”
And that’s the real lesson, isn’t it?
To some people, the decision to move to a tiny town with only a dead-end job to pay the bills is going backward. It’s choosing a life ofless. But to me, choosing Luke is going backward. He’s the life I’ve known. A man deciding for me, paying for me, and thinking of me—and what I want—last.
Sawyer never treats me like that. Sure, he growls about driving me home and shoots disappointed looks at me when I don’t stand up for myself, but he always gives me a choice.
Even if Sawyer and I never get back together, he taught me to expect more. I won’t settle for Luke’s version of less.
“Els…” Luke pleads. “Think it over. Please.”
I shake my head. “I’ve been doing nothing but think for weeks now. I know what I want.” I rise from the chair. “My answer is no.”
Luke stands too. “I don’t want this to be the end for us.”
“I’ll always be grateful for you making my first weeks here special. I have so many happy memories.” I wrap my arms around him in a fierce hug. “But the end of us happened weeks ago.”
I hold him close and breathe in the familiar scent of expensive cologne tinged with lemon. I want to lock it in my memory for the day I tell my grandkids the story of how I knewtheLuke Gallo, and they refuse to believe me. I’ll tell them he was a brilliant chef, but I liked his Nonna’s simple linguine the best, and how he smelled like summer in the Cinque Terre. They’ll pet me on the head and say, “Sure thing, Grandma.”
I squeeze him tight one last time and whisper, “Goodbye, Luke.”
22
Unpredictable conditions continue due to newfound strength
The metal chair isicy even with layers of tweed and tights to keep my backside warm. Maybe it’s something in the air around me. Storm clouds blacken the edges of the blue sky stretching out to sea. The low rumble in the distance scares most tourists enough that they huddle around tables inside the cafe instead. I’m the only person braving the balcony.
I’ve lived in St Helens long enough to judge how long it takes until a storm hits, and a quiet spot without too many people listening is best. This is a conversation I need to have in private.
Light footsteps clip across the wooden deck. The chair in front of me scrapes along the hardwood.
“Elsie.” Mallory Something-or-Other sits down. “Thanks for meeting me.” She rummages in her oversized bag, and a slim silver tape recorder appears.
Not happening.
I raise my palm. “This is off the record until we settle terms.”
Her pencil-thin eyebrows arch, but Mallory leaves the tape recorder untouched beside the salt and pepper shakers. She eases back in her chair and waits.
“I’m not here to talk about Luke,” I say.
“Elsie, that man is head over heels for you. He’s given me authority to print anything you’re comfortable with about the two of you. That includes the move back to Melbourne.”
“He told you about that?”
“His new restaurant has been hinted at for weeks now.”
I scoff a laugh. If I ever questioned my decision to turn down Luke’s offer, this one moment confirms all my doubts. In some circles, he’s important and used to getting his way. I understand. But I refuse to be another piece that conveniently slots into his life.
