Page 124 of Seasons of Love
Ellis comes closer. I see it in his eyes. The raw need to help someone. This is what he needs to do. I can’t let my pride get in the way and end up disappointing him.
“Okay.”
He smiles, and in the sun reflecting from the glass door, his eyes are a deep dark blue with a brown rim and golden flecks inside.
His gaze travels to my lips. My heart is beating so fast I’m sure he can hear it.
“Um…” I point to the yard behind me.
“Oh, yes…yes…” he says, taking a step back. “Are you at the soup kitchen this week?”
“I’m doing the first day only.”
“Meet me in the playground beforehand. I’ll collate a list of resources to help you.”
“Okay,” I say.
It’s not until I step outside that I realize I haven’t changed into my dirty T-shirt, but I can’t go back now. I’m feeling too many things and my body is all over the place.
If I get close to Ellis and see him look at my lips like he did, I may actually do something stupid.
Something really, really good. But still stupid.
13
MILO
“Wow, so that’s what your happy smile looks like.”
I look up from the workbook I borrowed from the library. Pauline is sitting opposite me at the large table in the break room, but I must have been so focused on studying that I didn’t see her come in.
Correction. I was too distracted thinking about Ellis to see her come in.
“What do you mean? I smile plenty.”
She crosses her arms and gives me a pointed stare.
“You smile at customers. I’ll give you that. But not that smile. What gives?”
I shrug. “I guess I’m just less stressed. I picked up a second job that I’m really enjoying.”
“That’s great, hun. I’m so happy for you. Tell me about your new job.”
I look at the clock on the wall and bite my lip.
“I think my break is finishing soon. We can talk about it another time, maybe?”
She laughs. “Nice try. I know you still have at least ten minutes left.” She leans over the table and narrows her eyes. “Come on. Spill.”
“Fine. I’m working for Ell—Mr. Bradford, renovating his backyard a few hours a week. And since Gerald is still not giving me any extra shifts, this job is a lifesaver for now.”
She snorts but covers her mouth with her hands as Jimmy enters the break room.
It’s clear he heard what I said because he pauses for a brief moment. Then he goes straight to his locker, puts his stuff away, and slams it shut before walking out.
“That was weird,” Pauline says. “Anyway, you were telling me how you’re working in Mr. Bradford’s backyard a few hours a week.”
I laugh at how she says backyard like it means something else.
