Total pages in book: 163
Estimated words: 164828 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 824(@200wpm)___ 659(@250wpm)___ 549(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164828 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 824(@200wpm)___ 659(@250wpm)___ 549(@300wpm)
I press my lips together as I try to think of the right thing to say.
“What if we try and it doesn’t work out? Where will our friendship be then?” I ask.
“I will always be your best friend, Eliza, and we need to promise each other this won’t affect our friendship at all and separate everything. I’m not taking this lightly. I know the risks, but I think we’re too close for that to come between us.”
“But does that ever really work?”
“We go away this weekend. Majorca, remember?”
I shake my head in disgust. “If anything were to happen with us, it would have to be like we’d just met. I don’t know you romantically. I need some time to think this over.”
He smiles. “Okay.”
“I mean it. I don’t know what’s going to happen. I can’t give you any guarantees.”
“Okay.” He holds his glass up. “A toast.”
I put my glass to his.
“To starting again.”
I clink my glass with his.
His eyes glimmer with something I haven’t seen before. A naughtiness. “Can I stay over tonight?”
“No.” I smirk. “You cannot.”
* * *
I stand in the café and look at the menu board.
It’s Friday, and after the longest week in history, I start my vacation today after work.
I haven’t seen or heard from Nathan since our dinner date. I know I asked for space but I thought he would have at least called me or something.
“What’s good here?” a familiar, deep voice asks. I glance over to see Nathan standing beside me, also staring up at the board, totally entranced by the selection. “It’s my first day here.” he says.
My eyes flicker to him in question.
“I want a do over,” he says. “I want to go back to the day that we met. I want to start again. Give me the chance to be the man you want me to be.”
I smile softly. I can’t believe he’s doing this. My eyes drop to the floor, and I know that it’s now or never.
Do I want to see where this goes or not? I force a smile, I know that it’s something I can’t walk away from without at least exploring our options. Nathan’s made it quite clear that he’s struggling with our platonic friendship, and if my jealousy over that other woman is anything to go by. So am I.
I exhale heavily. Here goes nothing. I may live to regret this.
“It’s your first day?” I ask. “Mine, too.”
A smile crosses his face when he realizes I’m playing along. “Really? Where did you move from?”
“Florida. And you?”
“Vermont, although I studied in New York.”
“Do you know anyone here?” I ask as we shuffle forward in the line.
His eyes hold mine. “Nobody that matters.”
I smile softly.
He holds out his hand to shake mine. “I’m Nathan.”
“Hi, Nathan, I’m Eliza. I think I’m going to have the turkey on rye,” I say.
He nods as he peruses the choices.
“Next,” the lady calls. Nathan steps forward. “Can I please have two lasagnes and salads?”
I drop my head to hide my smile, and my heart swells. He remembered what we ate that first day.
“Drinks?” the woman mutters, uninterested.
“No, Nathan, I’ll get mine.”
“You can buy my lunch tomorrow. Then I can have something to look forward to.”
I smile up at the beautiful man beside me. He remembers everything from our first meeting. He pays the lady, and we walk over to a table to sit down.
“Do you want to go out with me tonight?” he asks as he puts salt and pepper on his lasagne.
“Like, as friends?”
“No.” He shakes his head. “Like a date.”
My eyes hold his, and I know that this is it: the defining moment where I find out what I’m made of. “I’m willing to try.”
“That’s all I’m asking for.” He smiles softly.
“Where do you want to go?” I ask.
He picks up my hand and kisses the back of it. “Anywhere with you.”
12
Eliza
I knock on the door and stick my head around. “I’m out of here.”
Henry looks up and smiles. “Have a great vacation.”
I hunch my shoulders in excitement. “That’s the plan.”
“Where are you going again?”
“Majorca. We leave in the morning.”
“You going with your boyfriend?” He frowns.
“Ah, yes.” That sounds weird. Is Nathan my boyfriend now? I raise my eyebrows in surprise, the concept mind blowing. “Yes, with Nathan.”
“Okay.” His eyes hold mine. “Have a great time. I must say, I’m very jealous.”
I chuckle, and with one last wave, I rush out of the door. I power walk to the elevator as I make an internal list of what I need, I have so much to do before Nathan gets to my house tonight and I haven’t even started packing yet. I need to get to my laser appointment, and then I want to buy that other swimsuit in red. I also want to pick up some new date dresses and lingerie.