AllFreeNovel
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The car pulls up out the front of the grand house. We are in Vermont at Nathan’s parents’ farm. We flew into New York and got onto a connecting flight. Now, it’s the middle of the night.
Nathan and I have been quiet, both lost in our own thoughts.
On the plane, I rested on his shoulder while he read his book but my eyes weren’t closed and I could see that he didn’t turn the page for the entire six hours.
What was he thinking about?
Maybe that’s why he was so upset that we crossed the line. Maybe he could sense something that I haven’t up until today.
Nathan gets our things out of the trunk of the rental car, and the front door of the house opens. His mom and dad come out to greet us.
“Eliza.” Phyllis smiles as she wraps me in her arms. “Oh, it’s so good to have you both home.”
“My turn, woman.” Neil laughs as he swats her away. Nathan’s father wraps me in his arms. “How’s my favorite girl?”
I giggle as he squeezes the life out of me.
“I’m right here, you know?” Nathan says dryly, holding out his hands.
“Oh, darling, so you are.” Phyllis laughs. “Come here.”
He hugs her with a big smile, and then he shakes his dad’s hand.
“Come in, come in.” Neil ushers us inside.
“Why are you two up so late?” Nathan asks.
“We were in bed but set the alarm,” Phyllis says.
Nathan rolls his eyes. “We can let ourselves in, Mom.”
“I know, darling. I just wanted to make sure you got in safe. I’ll let you get to bed now; you must be both exhausted.”
“We are, thank you.” He kisses his mom and shakes his dad’s hand again. “Good to be home. We’ll see you in the morning.”
“Bright and early for a walk, Lize?” his dad asks me.
“You got it. I brought my runners.”
I follow Nathan up the stairs and into our room. It’s gorgeous here—a huge property. It’s a beautiful house with rolling green hills all around. We always stay in the same room in the guest wing. It’s separate from the rest of the house. It has its own bathroom and a huge king bed with all the trimmings.
Nathan puts the suitcases down and rubs his hands over his thighs. His eyes rise to mine. He seems nervous.
“I’m going to go downstairs and make a cup of tea,” I say. “Do you want anything?”
“No, thank you. I’ll take a shower, I’m beat.”
I go downstairs and make my tea. The rest of the family have gone to bed so I sit at the kitchen island counter for a while. I’m grappling with everything. My head is spinning.
Confusion.
Why am I feeling like this about him?
Why now, after all this time, does it feel different between us?
Did we have a moment at the airport?
I drop my head into my hands. I’m just so confused.
