Never Giving Up (Never #3)(2)

“Ella?”

I snapped out of my daydream to see the same sparkling eyes still staring back at me. I smiled and tipped up to kiss him.

“Sorry. I was thinking about Bora Bora.” I smiled knowingly at him. His eyes widened in recognition.

“I miss Bora Bora,” he said quietly.

“Well, I could have recreated the experience for you, but you ripped off my pretty bridal lingerie,” I said with mock irritation. I loved it when he ripped things off my body. It was an expensive habit, but I wouldn’t make him change it for anything.

“I’ll have plenty of chances to ruin more pretty things as long as we’re making babies.”

“And even if we’re not, I hope.”

He smiled and nodded. “But since we are, no lifting. Honestly Ella, you’ve got to take care of yourself.”

I chose to remain quiet and not argue. Instead, I kissed him gently and moved on to hang garments on hangers, a task he couldn’t possibly find fault in. After a few minutes of working quietly together, I heard the door to the shop open and looked up. Kalli walked in, smiling broadly, looking fantastic.

“Kal! What are you doing here? I thought you were in Seattle for a few weeks.” I walked quickly over to her and wrapped her in a hug, thankful to have my friend back unexpectedly.

“Megan wanted me to come and try on bridesmaid dresses, so I decided to make a weekend of it. Aren’t you coming?”

“She hasn’t said anything to me, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going. It’s probably on my calendar and I didn’t pay attention. I’m so excited to see you!” I hugged her again. Besides Porter, Kalli was one of the things brought into my life in the last year that I was so thankful for. In the most tumultuous time of my life, Kalli offered an instant friendship that grounded me when I couldn’t remember a part of my life. She listened to my worries and concerns and believed me. She was the one person in my life who I knew was being completely honest with me and didn’t have any ulterior motives.

“Hello, Porter,” Kalli said, walking towards him. He gave her a hug and smiled at her.

“Hey, Kalli. So what do you think of the new place?” He asked. Kalli’s eyes floated around the store, taking everything in.

“This place looks awesome, you guys. You’ve been working hard. How long until you think you can open up?” She looked at me expectantly.

“I am hoping to open up next month. I still have to put out all the merchandise and work on hiring. Megan is putting together interviews for early next week.”

“You’re still planning on spending the majority of your time here and not at Poppy, right?”

“Yes, Megan and Brittany are doing a fantastic job running Poppy so I am going to focus on this store until it is up and running one hundred percent.”

“Have you decided on a name yet?”

“Yes! I’m going with Dahlia. You like?”

“I love! So pretty.”

Porter walked over to us and placed his hand on my waist. “I’m going to head out, Babe. I’ve got to go check on the worksite over on Miller Street.” He pressed a kiss against my temple and I felt his breath on my ear sending chills throughout my body. “Remember what we spoke about,” he whispered. “Be safe.” My eyes closed involuntarily and I leaned into him.

“Always,” I sighed. He kissed my cheek and patted my bottom then walked towards the door.

“It was good to see you, Kalli. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you again before you head back to Seattle?” He asked, pausing at the door.

“It’ll be hard to get rid of me,” she said with a smile.

“Good,” he said, then he winked at her before walking out.

“Your husband is so ridiculously attractive,” Kalli said wistfully. I noticed the blush on her face and smiled to myself.

“Yes, I’m aware and so is he. I think he tries to make you blush.”

“Mission accomplished,” she says quietly, making me laugh. “Can I help you with anything?”

“No, you cannot. In fact, I was about to break for lunch. Want to join me?”

“Definitely.”

Thirty minutes later, we were seated at one of my favorite lunch spots, a little delicatessen in downtown Salem.

“So, I haven’t heard much from you since the honeymoon. How was it?” Kalli asked, raising her eyebrows at me, a sly grin on her face.

“Oh my goodness, Kal, it was wonderful. You have to go to Bora Bora sometime. It’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen.” Kalli took a stab at her salad.

“I don’t think it’s a place for single people, Ella. Bora Bora is a place for couples.”

I looked at my friend and knew what she was thinking. I reached out and placed a hand over hers. “You’ll find someone, Kalli. You’re a great girl and any guy would be lucky to have you.” She inhaled deeply and nodded.

“I know, I know.” She shook her head, seemingly trying to erase the thoughts she harbored there. “I’ve just never had a good track record with guys, and the whole thing with Kyle just really put a nail in that coffin.”

I grimaced at her words. I knew she felt guilty about Kyle and I didn’t know how to help her let those feelings go. I had explained, time and time again, that she couldn’t be responsible for his vile and ultimately psychotic behavior, but she harbored those feelings of guilt deep and I couldn’t reach them. Honestly, we’d all been affected by Kyle and what transpired, but Kalli seemed to be the only one who didn’t have someone to help her move past it.