Page 105 of His to Keep
He pulls me close, resting his chin on the top of my head.“Stay calm, I’ve got you.”His eyes scan the bar, the same way mine did, only I knowhe’slookingasformer lawenforcement. “I don't seeanyone or anything out of the ordinary.”
“God.”I run my hands through my hair, lifting it off my neckas my entire body heats with embarrassment. “Maybe I'm just paranoid.”
“I’mnot saying that. But, given everythingyou’vebeen through, you have the right to be. What do you want to do?You’rein control.”
“I...” A part of me wants to go home, put on my pajamas, and curl up with Ellis. But that feels like letting my stalkerwin. Plus, itprobably isall in my head… tonight, anyway. “Let’sgo back to the table. I could use some water.”
“Anything for you.”
His proclamation sendsa dizzying rush of emotions through me. “You’re too good to me.”
“Not good enough.” He whistles low. “Trust me, I know I’ve got a lot to make up for, but I’m willing to put in the work.”
“I know you are.” I wrap my arms around his waist. “I am too, you know?”
“You are what?”
“Willing to put in the work. Youweren’tthe only one who was awful.”
“Maybe not, butI think our motiveswerepretty different.I was an asshole because I thought youchose Atlas over me and my fragile egocouldn’thandle it. Anything you threw my way was because I was a dick first.”
I shake my head, but a small smile lifts the corners of my mouth. “So emotionally mature.”
“Yeah,yeah.I’llgive you my therapists address so you can send him a thank you card.”
“Looks like ourfoodsout,” I muse, as our server sets plates in front of our empty seats.
“You go sit,” Ellis tells me. “I’m going to run and get you an ice water.”
“Thank you.” His thoughtfulness stirs something deep inside of me.I’venever had a guy take care of me, ever, and damn if Idon’tlove the way it makes me feel. Like I matter... likeI’mvalued... cherished, even.
Like I’m someone worth keeping...
THIRTY
SCARLET
The last fewweeks have been some of the bestofmy life.
James’s birthday party—which was bothtrainandconstruction themed—was perfect. Ellis and I even went in on a gift together. Anddon’teven get me started on how cute he was with his smash cake.
More importantly, my stalker has been blessedly quiet.Maybe helost interestor found someone else to torment. Who knows?Hopefullythe psycho’s in jail. All I know isI’mthankful for the reprieve.
Ellis, on the other hand,thinks his silence isthe quietbefore the storm, andhe’smore protective than ever. He even insisted on tagging along for our final dress fitting and Nora’s bachelorette party—whichhe also roped Atlas into.I’llnever recover from seeing them both in fluffy sparobes,their faces painted with thick mud, and fruity mocktails clutched in their big paws.
“What’re you laughing at?” Ellis asks, pausing outside the bathroom door.
“Just thinking...” I swipe on a layer of lip gloss.
“About?”He leans into the room, bracing his hands on the doorframe.
“You.”
“And thinking of me made you giggle like that?” He steps all the way into the room and grabs mebymy waist, spinning me to face him.
I give him a once over, and my jaw drops.Helooks freaking delicious, dressed in a dark button down, with the sleeves rolled, gray chinos, and black boots. “Holy hell, I cannot wait to see you in a suit.”
“You like?” he asks, picking imaginary lint from his shirt.
