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My stomach sinks, and the food I just ate feels like rocks.
It’s not like Ellister is mine, or that he’ll ever be mine, but fuck. Do I really have to watch Faith make a move on another guy I’m attracted to?
If that’s the case, I’m going to dip out early.
HANNAH
“Ithink I just found my next conquest,” Faith sings under her breath, totally unaware of the fact that I’m fantasizing about punching her in the nose.
Trying to ignore my violent thoughts, I keep my gaze trained on the way Ellister saunters. Hands in his pockets, he strolls toward us almost lazily. He comes around to my side of the table, and Faith turns around in the bench seat so she’s facing him—ready to get to her feet at a moment’s notice.
Since I can’t lift my leg, I just sort of rotate my upper half to look at him.
Surprisingly, he’s completely focused on me when he extends a hand. “Waltz?”
I want to. Oh, how I want to. “I can’t.”
“I’ll show you how.”
“No, I mean I can’t.” I motion to my right thigh. “I happen to know the waltz well, but…”
“I’ll dance with you,” Faith pipes up.
Ellister’s attentive eyes don’t move from me. “I insist.”
Before I can even figure out what’s happening, I’m being scooped up. Ellister just wedges his hands under my knees and my butt, then sweeps me into his arms and starts carrying me.
Like I’m light as a feather.
And okay, I don’t weigh as much as I used to. I’ve lost about twenty pounds since I got sick, but still. Ellister must be stronger than he looks because his face isn’t even strained as we make it to the center of the barn.
When we get to the middle of the dance floor, I’m still in his arms, and several people are gawking at us like we’ve grown two heads. Including my parents. My dad tries to break away from my mom, but she tightens her hold on his hand and gives him a look that says,stay put.
“What are you doing?” I hiss at Ellister, embarrassed by the scene we’re causing.
“We’re going to dance.”
“Put me down.” To his credit, he does as I say, but now I’m stranded without my cane. I look around helplessly. “I told you I can’t.”
“You can.” Ellister takes my hands, lifts them up, and sets them on his shoulders.
I’m panicking inside because what the hell am I going to do? Sway back and forth like we’re at a sixth-grade dance?
I can’t think of anything more pathetic. A pity dance for the dying girl.
Then Ellister drops to the floor in a crouch. It’s a good thing I’m still holding onto his shoulders because he’s the only thing keeping me from falling over.
“What are you doing?” I whisper-yell a second time.
That’s when I realize he’s untying the laces on my shoe. Putting his left foot next to my right, he does the same to his own laces, before tying ours together. Tightly.
Then he stands, displaying a devastatingly hot smirk. “There. Problem solved.”
“You’re kidding.”
“I’m not.”
“This isn’t a three-legged race. If you think this is going to work—”
