Page 153 of Seasons of Love
“Well, hello, young man. I think it’s about time we were introduced, considering you’ve dropped my boy home twice now, and I want to know your intentions.”
“Florrie!” I admonish.
Sara fidgets in my arms, asking to go to Ellis. I oblige since he’s practically taking her off me.
His face goes a cute shade of pink, a slightly lighter color than the red when his sister called. Then again, we were naked, so I guess the embarrassment level goes down a little.
“Florrie, you haven’t been formally introduced, but Ellis is the person you spoke to about the backyard job. He’s my boss,” I say.
“Oh really?” she asks. “Well, I’m sure you’re happy with the work Milo is doing in your backyard, or you wouldn’t be giving him so many rides home.”
Ellis coughs, but as I try to save the situation, he stretches his hand out to Florrie. “Really nice to finally meet you. Milo talks a lot about you. Thank you for connecting us. Milo’s work is absolutely the best I’ve ever had.”
It’s my turn to choke.
“I’m sure it is,” Florrie says, meeting Ellis’s unwavering gaze.
“Well, this is…um…not awkward,” I say. “But I’m sure Ellis has to get back home.”
Ellis looks at me with a warm smile. “Pick you up at ten tomorrow?”
“Yes,” I reply, taking Sara back from him.
“Tomorrow? I thought you had the day off,” Florrie says.
Ellis places a hand on Florrie’s arm, and it’s amazing to watch how she reacts to him. Like she wants to trust him, but she’s not too sure. “He does. We’re taking Sara to the lake tomorrow.”
“Oh.” Florrie looks from Ellis to me and back to Ellis. The challenge in her eyes is clear as day. “I’ve never been to the lake. I’m new to the area, you see?”
“Would you like to join us?” Ellis asks.
“I would love to. How very nice of you to ask.”
I roll my eyes. “Okay then, now that’s sorted, we should all probably…” I gesture vaguely with my hands.
Florrie gives me a surreptitious wink before disappearing into her house.
I give Ellis a nod to follow me into my place. “Do you guys learn poker face or how to be politely awkward at teacher school or something?” I ask as we go inside. I place Sara in her bouncing chair.
“What do you mean?”
“Florrie is a retired teacher.”
Ellis laughs. “It all makes sense now.”
When I turn back to him, he’s looking at the photos I have on the wall, and I realize it’s the first time he’s been inside my place.
“Is this your family?” he asks.
“Yeah. I think I was five and Mikey was two. That was the year before…anyway…that’s my mom and dad.”
Ellis pulls me closer and wraps his arm around me, kissing my forehead.
“You all look so happy.”
“Dad had just gotten a new job, so he took us all to the pier in Bridgeport. We got to go on the rides and have Slush Puppies.”
He points to another photo.
