Eleanor & Grey(79)

44





Greyson





“What do you think about Eleanor?” Claire asked me for our weekly lunch date. I had to admit, the question threw me for a bit of a loop. Did she know what almost happened between Eleanor and me? Could she tell somehow that we almost kissed?

Was I overthinking everything ever since Eleanor’s lips moved in toward mine?

Yes, I’m just overthinking. Shake it off, Grey.

“I think she’s great with the girls. Lorelai is in love with her. Even Karla is getting used to her, which is insane to me. She’s really good for them.”

“Yes, I agree. I think she’s wonderful for the girls, but that’s not what I meant.”

“Oh?”

She leaned in closer and gave me a smirk. “I meant what do you think of her?”

I sat back a little, confused. Then the more I looked at her, the more I realized what she was getting at. The slyness in her smile. The wonderment in her eyes.

Oh, for fuck’s sake, Claire. Knock it off.

I glanced at my watch. Our hour lunch date was up. Thank God. “Oh, will you look at the time? It seems our lunch date is coming to a close.” I scrambled to my feet and tossed some money on the table—probably more than we needed to pay. “I have to get back to the office. Great seeing you again, Claire.”

She snickered, almost pleased by my discomfort. “You, too, Greyson. I’ll see you next week for lunch. And next week, you’re going to actually let me buy you a meal.”

Never.

“And think about an answer for that question!” she hollered, but I ignored her. I definitely wouldn’t be thinking about an answer for that question at all.

And Claire needed to cut back on those corny romance novels she was so obsessed with reading.





One Friday night after the girls went off to their grandparents’ house, I noticed Eleanor sitting in her car, trying to start the engine, and it just wouldn’t turn. We hadn’t really spoken since the almost kiss we shared.

I almost felt like she was going out of her way to avoid me.

“No, no, no,” she moaned as I walked out toward her.

“Ugh! I cannot believe this!” she hollered as she hopped out of the car and started kicking the air before pounding her hand against the hood of the vehicle.

“I don’t think that’s going to fix it,” I commented, making her stand up straight. “Need help?” I asked, making her turn around to face me. When she did, she looked seemingly flustered, almost embarrassed by me catching her in the middle of her breakdown.

“Oh, Greyson, hey. Sorry. My car just isn’t starting and I had plans to go to Laurie Lake tonight since it’s my mom’s birthday. Plus, I’ve been trying to call my father all day to check in on him, but he’s avoiding my calls again. I haven’t heard from him in weeks, actually, and I’m starting to worry. Especially on days like today, because I know how hard they are for him…” She released a heavy sigh. “And obviously that’s too much information for you, but seeing how I’m having emotional breakdown and all...”

“Take one of my cars,” I offered. “Any one you want.”

Her eyes widened and filled with tears. “Really? That’s okay?”

“Of course.”

She rubbed her hands over her eyes and took deep breaths. “Really, really?”

“Yes, of course, as long as it gets you to Laurie Lake.”

Then, she leaped forward and hugged me.

Her arms wrapped around me, and she held on as tight as she could. At first, I stood still, taken aback by the embrace that seemed to come out of nowhere. Then, seconds later, I relaxed into it and held her back. I’d forgotten how good she was at doing that, how good she was at hugging me.

As a kid, her hugs had been one of my favorite things.

When she dropped her hold on me, she stepped back and combed her hair behind her ears. “Sorry. Like I said, I’m emotional today.”

“That’s understandable. I’m pretty sure I’ve had my fair share of emotional days.”

She smiled, yet I saw the sadness that sat behind her grin.

“Would you like me to join you?” I asked. “That way, you wouldn’t have to go alone.”





45





Eleanor





Would you like me to join you?

Greyson’s words kept dancing around my head as I stared his way.

He wasn’t wearing a business suit, which seemed odd. He was dressed in a simple T-shirt and jeans.

Kind of like old Grey.

“Yeah, I’m okay,” I lied, giving him a tight smile.

“Fake grin,” he told me. “I’ll go with you,” he offered once more, giving me those gray eyes that always gave me chills.

“What? Oh gosh, no. I can’t ask you to do that. I’m fine, really.”

“You’re not asking me to do it. I’m offering to join you,” he said, never taking his stare from me.

My heartbeats were untamed, and my gosh, I missed him. I missed Greyson so much. I hadn’t known I missed him to this extreme until I started to see the pieces of him that made up our youth. The parts that showed up for me when I needed him the most.