Page 57 of The Hook Up
“He just wants people to be in the footage,” she said. “So he doesn’t have to get model releases signed.”
Miriam laughed like that was the funniest thing she’d heard in years. Shaking her head, she set her grape juice on the counter. “Honey. There are three other videographers under him who would have gladly taken the project. Every single one of them has kids of their own.”
Ellie looked at her, startled. “So, he could have pawned this off on someone else?”
“Most certainly. The man’s smitten.”
“The man’s getting free sex,” Ellie said, then frowned. “Actually, I guess that’s not true. Not on this trip, anyway. Apparently, he booked us some fancy suite where we’ll each have our own room.”
Miriam grinned. “He wants to spend time with you, no sex required. I think you’ve got yourself a relationship.”
Ellie shook her head, even as her heart tilted a little at the thought of it. Was this turning into something more than a hookup?
Did she really want that?
“I don’t think so,” Ellie said, even as the flutter in her belly built to something more like rippling waves. Was it possible? No, of course not. But maybe?—
“I do love spending time with him,” she admitted.
“He’s a great guy.” Miriam eyed her with a serious expression. “I would have chased him away from you weeks ago if that weren’t true.”
Ellie smiled and adjusted the dials on the oven. Was it possible for a fling to turn into something else? Was there any chance Ty might want that?
“I didn’t want to like him this much.” The second she’d blurted the words, heat flooded her cheeks. She might as well have confessed to peering through the men’s room door or something.
But Miriam only laughed and grabbed another carrot stick. “Believe me, honey—I know exactly what that’s like.”
She turned to her sister-in-law, keenly aware that Miriam did know. She’d had her own reasons for not wanting to fall for Jason. Reasons that involved a past heartache not so different from Ellie’s.
“Should I say anything?” Ellie asked. “I mean—I don’t even know if I want more than a fling, so it seems stupid to just blurt out what I’m feeling without knowing if he’s on the same page.” She bit her lip, softening her voice a little. “I don’t want anyone getting hurt.”
Her throat tightened as she remembered the flicker of Chuck’s taillights the night he drove away, the way it left her empty and aching and determined to never fall in love again. It was the same hollowness she’d seen in Ty’s eyes when he talked about losing his grandma.
She remembered that kind of pain. They both did. “You deserve to be happy, El.” Miriam gave her a knowing look, and Ellie wondered if her sister-in-law had read her mind. “Ty’s been making you happy, right?”
“Right.” A flush of pleasure rushed up her arms, and she caught herself smiling like a big, dopey dork.
Miriam smiled back, not unfamiliar with Ellie’s dorkiness. “So why not take a chance?”
Why not?The question pinged around in Ellie’s brain, giving her zaps of joy and terror and everything in between.
“Maybe.” Ellie bent down to check the oven, hoping the heat of it would mask her burning cheeks. Hoping like hell she wasn’t wishing for something that would break her heart again.
CHAPTER12
Ty stepped into the indoor waterpark, overwhelmed by the smell of chlorine, the shrieks of small children, and an intense wave of bewildered fondness coursing through him. Was this really his life?
“Whoa.” Henry stared in awe at the spectacle before them. His gaze swung from the wave park to the massive play structure spurting water from colorful pipes. As Ty looked on, the boy studied the families playing water basketball in the far pool before he pivoted to survey a huge bank of water slides in the corner. A family of five emerged laughing from the end of the tube, swirling through the landing pool in a burst of cheers and a bright yellow raft.
When he looked up at Ty, Henry’s small face was glowing. “Can we go on everything?”
“Whatever you want,” Ty assured him. “Your wristband lets you use all the park amenities.”
“As long as you’re tall enough,” Ellie added. “We need to check the rules, first.”
“Right,” Ty said. He needed to remember Henry was a child. “The rules are there to keep you safe.”
“Okay,” Henry said, watching as another small boy ran past with an ice cream cone.
