Never Far Away (The Never #2)(34)

“So, when do you actually work? You seem to come and go from here as you please,” Porter asked. Ella laughed.

“I’m lucky enough that I can hire a full staff. So the store runs whether I’m here or not. I spend a lot of time here, more than forty hours usually, but I’ve been distracted the last couple of days.” She winked at him.

“So, your store makes enough of a profit that you can fully staff and you don’t even have to be here if you don’t want to be? Why haven’t you opened a second store sooner? It’s obvious that you are very good at this.”

“Fear of failing, I suppose, or being too comfortable.”

“You’re not afraid anymore?”

“No, the fear is still there, but the excitement and need for change is stronger. I guess I’m just ready. Besides, I feel like I can do anything if you’re there helping me.” He came to stand behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders.

“I’m honored to help.” Just then her phone rang and she gave him a worried look.

“It’s my mom,” she said and then answered. “Hey, Mom.”

“Ella, where have you been? We’ve all been worried sick about you.”

“I’m fine, Mom. Sorry you worried. Listen, can I come over for dinner tonight? I have something I want to talk with you about.” Her mom let out a sigh and Ella knew she still wanted to be upset with her for disappearing.

“Of course you can come over for dinner. I’ll see you around six?”

“Sounds great, Mom. Oh, and I’ll be bringing a date.”

“A date?”

“Yes, a date,” she threw a smile at Porter, which he returned and made her insides quiver.



That evening as they drove to Ella’s parents’ house, Ella could feel the tension radiating off of Porter and it was making her nervous in return. He drove his truck and hadn’t spared a glance her way since they left her apartment. His hands gripped the steering wheel with impressive strength.

“Baby, what’s bothering you?” Ella reached across the cab of the truck and gently stroked his forearm, trying to calm him down. He pushed out a loud breath and ran a hand through his hair which made Ella smile because his hair was constantly in disarray because of his habit. “What is it?” She pressed.

“The last time I spoke with your mother she basically told me to move on. She told me to give up, that you wouldn’t ever remember me, or us, and that I should just cut my losses,” he paused. “I just don’t know how I feel about ambushing her like this. I don’t know what I’m going to do if she’s upset that we’re together.” Ella scooted across the seat and placed Porter’s arm around her shoulders so that she could press herself into his side.

“First of all, my parents will probably be so ecstatic that my memory came back that will overshadow anything else. And secondly,” she said as she placed her hand on his chest. “It doesn’t really matter what my mom thinks about us being together. Nothing could keep me from you now. Besides, my mom isn’t really the type to forbid something. I’m a grown woman. Once my mom sees how happy we are, I’m sure she’ll be fine.”

“I just don’t want anyone to be upset. We’ve had enough drama already. I just want everything to go smoothly.”

Ella kissed his cheek and patted his chest.

“Everything is smooth sailing from here on out, promise.”

When they pulled up to her parent’s house, Ella made sure she held Porter’s hand in hers. She wanted there to be no mistake about their relationship when her parents saw them together. Ella knocked on the door and then opened it.

“Mom?” She called out.

“Back in the kitchen.” Ella gave Porter’s hand a squeeze. When they entered the kitchen, Ella saw her mother’s eyes lift to take them in and confusion immediately painted across her face.

“Hi, Mom,” Ella smiled at her.

“Ella, what’s going on?” Her mother’s voice was calm and smooth, genuinely concerned but still friendly.

“Mom, I’ve got something to tell you and Daddy. Is he around?”

“Ella, is that you?” She heard her father’s voice as he entered the kitchen, and the same concerned and confused expression came across his face to match his wife’s.

“Mom. Dad,” Ella started. She wasn’t really sure where to start, so she decided to just jump in. “Saturday night my memory came back,” Ella said with half a smile, hoping they would understand what she wasn’t saying: that she remembered Porter.

“Your memory came back?” Her mother asked.

“Yes. It was completely random, out of the blue, and hurt like hell. But it came back.” Her mother’s hand came to her chest and she could see tears forming in her eyes.

“It hurt?” She asked through the tears.

“Yes. It felt very much like a migraine and then it was like a thunderstorm was in my brain. The worst of it didn’t last long and it was over quickly, but it did hurt.” She felt Porter squeeze her hand. She looked up at him and he leaned down to place a chaste kiss on her lips.

“And it appears you’ve remembered Porter as well?” Her father asked.

“Yes, I remember Porter. He’s the first thing I remembered,” she smiled up at him. “I drove to his house immediately that night. That’s why you couldn’t get ahold of me.”