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CHAPTERSEVENTEEN
Eli’s big day prepared, I wake up with a hop and skip in my step, excited for what may lie ahead. Since our heart to heart a few days ago, things between Eli and I are getting better and better. He’s still wary. I sometimes glance a look at him in the mirror when he thinks I can’t see, only to find him studying me like I’m a riddle to solve. I know he still wonders if I have an agenda, and I also know that my character lately is way off form what it would normally be. But, for now, he’s rolling with it, and that’s all I can ask from him.
“What are you so goddamned cheerful for?” Eleanor asks as I enter the kitchen singing “Heat Waves” by Glass Animals at the top of my lungs.
“I’m going on a date today with the most handsome man on the planet,” I answer with a wink.
“Since when do you know George Clooney?”
I giggle back. “Funny, but no. George Clooney doesn’t hold a candle to my date.”
“Who’s got a date?” Eli asks, walking into the kitchen in just a pair of checkered pajama bottoms resting ever so elegantly at his hips, his tanned, flawless skin accentuating his very toned physique. For a moment, I forget where I am and what question he asked. My mouth parts and my throat dries, I’m so floored by his beauty.
“Apparently, Kendra has a date with the hottest man on the planet.”
When Eli frowns towards me, I suddenly find my voice. “With you, of course.” I roll my eyes at the absurdity that it would be anyone else.
Eleanor hands Eli a fresh mug of coffee and he thanks her. I watch with avid interest, my eyes roving all over his fine form.
“I’m sorry,” Eli says. “Have I missed something?”
Excitement bubbling, I take my seat and wait for Eli to do the same. “Well, over a week ago, I rang Oliver to find out when you would have a free day. He told me today, so I decided to plan a surprise.” I don’t mention that his assistant only begrudgingly gave me this information as apparently he’s only ever rude to me.
Confused as ever, Eli takes a sip before replying, “What surprise?”
Again, with the eye-rolling. “Well, it wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you now, would it? Duh!”
Both Eli and Eleanor exchange glances before laughing.
“Did you just say ‘duh’ to me?” Eli queries, his smile infectious.
“Well, duh,” I quip back jokingly before offering him a cocky wink.
Amused, Eli glances down at his watch. “So, when do we leave for my surprise?”
My posture straightens. “As soon as we’ve had breakfast.”
“I best get a shower then,” he responds, walking off with his coffee and mumbling about The Twilight Zone again.
“What is it with him and The Twilight Zone lately?”
Eleanor, currently whisking some eggs, turns around to face me. “Surely even you can admit yourself that your behavior is odd lately. No wonder Eli feels like he’s in The Twilight Zone. I guess we all feel that way since you came back from Wyoming.”
I bite my lip. “So, you noticed it from that time too?” She nods her head before tilting it to one side in question. “I guess I woke up that day and realized that if I didn’t get myself together, I was going to end up dead.”
Eleanor stops her whisking for a second. “I don’t know what went on there, but I’m glad it did. As much as I chew your ear off, I do worry about you.”
I smile at her honesty. “I know. And I appreciate that. You have looked after me ever since I was little, and for that, I am truly grateful.”
Wetness pools in Eleanor’s eyes, but she’s swift to wipe them, turning her body away from me. She sucks in her breath, I assume to try and gain some sort of composure. I’m guessing Eleanor has been used to the stiff-upper-lip approach as much as I have. I’m also hazarding a guess that this is the first time I have ever shown my appreciation towards her.
I’m a terrible person.
“Well, someone had to do it,” she eventually replies, her composure fully restored. And for a while we are in a comfortable silence as she busies herself making breakfast. When all is ready, Eli emerges looking fresh as a daisy and as gorgeous as ever in a simple burgundy polo shirt and jeans.
“Hello, handsome,” I greet, a wistful smile on my face. Today is a good day already.
“You look beautiful too, Kendra. You always do.”
