Listen to Your Heart(5)

I’m babbling, but he’s nice enough to stand there and smile at me while I do.

And he’s still holding my hand.

“Do you like music?” Caleb asks.

“She’s obsessed with it,” Eli replies, and I’m suddenly reminded that there’s a ten year old standing between us. Caleb must realize it at the same time, because he loudly clears his throat and let’s go of my hand.

“Well, Eli is an excellent guitarist. I’m looking forward to working with him.”

“Thanks. We’re really proud of him.”

“You should be.”

Eli beams as Caleb pats him on the shoulder.

We stand awkwardly staring at each other for a few more minutes until Eli’s growling stomach breaks the spell. We all laugh.

“I should feed him. It was nice meeting you, Caleb.”

“Burger Palace?” Eli pleads.

Caleb chuckles. “They do have the best burgers.”

“You should come with us!”

Caleb’s eyes dart to mine.

“Umm . . .” Not that I have a problem spending more time with Caleb. I’m just not sure a trip to Burger Palace is his idea of a good time.

“I’d love to, if it’s okay with your Aunt Skye.”

Eli looks up at me with wide, hopeful eyes.

“Is it okay with my Aunt Skye?”

I laugh. “Sure, it’s okay.”

Caleb’s answering smile makes my body tremble in a way that it hasn’t trembled in . . . ever.

I’m in trouble.





We take separate cars to the restaurant. As soon as we pull into the parking lot, I dig my cell phone out of my bag.

“Eli, would you go grab us a table? Something by the window so I can see you. I just need to call Lynsey real quick and check on things at work.”

“Okay. Caleb’s cool, huh?”

On cue, a black Jeep Wrangler pulls into the empty spot next to us. Caleb waves at us. Without another word, Eli excitedly jumps out of the car and sprints to his music teacher’s side.

“Aunt Skye needs to call work,” Eli tells him. “She told me to get a table.”

I wave at the two of them before they head inside. With shaky breath and trembling fingers, I scroll for Lynsey’s number.

“I’m in trouble,” I mutter when she answers.

Lynsey immediately panics, but when I explain that it’s nothing serious—just a small crush on Eli’s music teacher—she screams in my ear.

“Thanks. Now I’m deaf.”

She laughs. “Sorry. It’s just been so long since you’ve been even remotely interested in a guy.”

“Don’t get excited. He could be married. Or gay.”

“Or totally available and straight. You don’t know! You and your glass-half-empty view on everything is exhausting.”

“Well . . .”

“Where are you now?”

I glance toward the restaurant and spot Eli and Caleb through the window.

“We’re at Burger Palace.”

“We’re?”

“Eli invited him out for burgers.”

Lynsey squeals again.

“Okay, I’m hanging up before you cause permanent ear damage.”

“Call me after?”

I promise I will and toss my phone into my bag before walking into the restaurant. Caleb and Eli both jump to their feet when they see me.

“Let’s order,” Eli says, leading us toward the counter. Caleb and I grin at each other as my nephew orders three double cheeseburgers and fries.

“Could we eat outside?” Eli asks.

I glance outside at the deserted playground area. It’s deserted for a reason. It might be sunny, but the temp is barely above freezing.

“I don’t know, Eli. It’s kind of cold.”

“We all have coats.”

I hear Caleb chuckle, and I know I’m outvoted. When our food arrives, Caleb offers to carry the tray while Eli and I follow behind. Frosty air blasts across our faces as we head outside.

“This is very nice of you,” Caleb says quietly.

“I am physically unable to say no to the kid. And he knows it.”

Caleb laughs as the three of us sit down at one of the tables.

“So, Skye, you like music?” Caleb asks.

“She likes 80s hair bands,” Eli says.

Caleb smiles at me. “Is that right?”

I nod. “Anything 80’s really. Power ballads. New wave. I love it all.”

“That’s cool. I have a friend who’s the lead singer in an 80s cover band. They’re playing a set tomorrow night at The Boombox.”

“You should take Aunt Skye,” my helpful nephew suggests.

Is this kid seriously playing matchmaker?

“I should, huh?”

“Yep.” Eli crams the last of his burger into his mouth. “You guys talk about it. I’m gonna go slide. That okay?”

“Um, yes,” I mumble, completely mortified that he’s leaving me to deal with this embarrassing situation all by myself.

We watch as Eli climbs through the plastic tunnel that leads to the slide. He’s probably a little too old for this particular playground, but he’s small for his age. Besides, he spends most of his time playing his guitar or video games. I figure any physical activity is good.