“Ah . . .” I nod as the busy picture is painted.
His hand runs up my thigh. “You’re a bad influence on me, Landon. I’ve never not worked on vacation.”
I smile. “Well . . . you’re pretty fun to distract.”
His eyes hold mine and there’s something hanging in the air between us.
It feels a lot like . . . regret.
“Okay.” I fake a smile.
“Okay . . .” he replies.
We stare at each other for a moment and I don’t know if he’s waiting for me to say something or . . . is he going to say something?
When are we seeing each other again?
Don’t ask, just be cool.
I open the car door. “I’ll let you go.”
“Alright.” He gets out of the car and opens the trunk.
He has to ask to see me, I’m not pushing for something. He is the one who told me we’re just fucking after all, even though I know we aren’t. So, if he changed his mind, he has to pursue me.
“Do you want me to carry your suitcase up to the front door for you?” he asks.
“No.” I take it from him. “I’ve got it. Thanks anyway.”
We stare at each other and it’s there again, the swirl in the air of unspoken words.
“Goodbye Kate.” He leans down and kisses me softly, and my heart constricts.
There’s no passion, no forbidden element, no promise of slamming me up against the car and taking me here; his kiss feels sad and full of regret. Or is that just me feeling clingy?
Whatever it is, it sucks.
I step back from him, the change in his demeanor something I don’t like. “Bye.” I turn and walk up the front steps and turn and give him a wave; he waves back and then, without hesitation, gets in his car and drives away before I’ve even put my key in the door.
Deflation fills me. He’s gone.
I watch the car as it disappears up the street, and I push the door open and walk in.
Fuck’s sake.
“I’m home,” I call.
Daniel comes rushing from his bedroom. “Hello darling.” He laughs as he pulls me into a hug, holds me by my arms, and looks me up and down. “You look fabulous, darling—that suntan, though. How was it?”
“Great.” I smile. “I had a wonderful time.”
His face falls. “What does that mean?”
“Nothing, I had a great time,” I reply. “How could I have a bad time on holiday?”
“And?” He raises his eyebrow.
“Elliot was . . .” I pause as I think of the right wording. “Amazing.” I look around and fall onto the couch, and he falls down beside me.
“I thought you were going to come back all in love and he would break your heart and I would have to hire a hitman.”
“No.” I smile sadly. “Although, it would be very easy to fall in love with him.”
“What happened?”
“Nothing, he’s just fucking amazing and, like he said, it was just a week. He didn’t give me any false promises and I’m not reading into it, but I’d dearly love to see where it goes.”
He nods as he processes my words. “Well, if he has half a brain he’ll come knocking the door down and will never let you go.”