Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 95256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95256 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Are you hungry?
I’ll bring you breakfast.
No thanks.
While I was trying to think of something else to say, Winnie passed by me. “Morning, Gianni.”
“Morning.” I barely looked up from my phone, but then I thought of something and took off after her. “Winnie,” I said, following her into her office. “I want to bring Ellie something to eat. What’s something she likes in the morning?”
“Easy.” She smiled. “She adores these blueberry scones my mom makes. You’d have to go to her bakery downtown—it’s called Plum & Honey—but I promise, Ellie can’t resist them.”
“Thanks.”
Happy to have a mission, I raced out of Abelard, drove back into town, and picked up the scones. The woman behind the counter looked familiar and greeted me by name, so I figured it was Winnie’s mom.
“How are things at Etoile?” she asked as she rang me up.
“Good.”
“I’m Winnie’s mom, Frannie. Mack and I loved our dinner there. We keep meaning to come again, but it’s so hard to get in.”
“Nice to see you. And just let Winnie know when you’d like to come again. We’ll get you in.”
“Great.” She beamed as she handed me the bag of scones. “Are these for Ellie?”
“Yes. I heard she likes them.”
“They’re her favorite,” Frannie confirmed. “Say hello for me.”
“I will, thanks.”
When I pulled up behind Abelard, I texted Ellie that I had something for her and asked if she wanted me to bring it to her room.
She replied right away saying she was in the kitchen, but she didn’t need anything. Jumping out of the car, I knocked on the back door anyway, and she answered it wearing gray joggers and the Pineview Motel sweatshirt I’d bought for her.
“Hi,” I said, unable to keep a grin off my face. “Nice shirt. Brings back memories.”
“It’s the biggest thing I own. I’ll be wearing it a lot.”
“Can I come in?”
“Suit yourself.” She shut the door behind me and we went into the kitchen, where I set the bag from Plum & Honey on the table.
“I went to the bakery. Thought maybe you’d like some scones.”
Ellie looked at the bag with suspicion. “How’d you know?”
“Winnie,” I confessed. “I ran into her in the lobby earlier.”
Ellie sat down at the table and opened the bag. “Thanks.”
I watched as she took out a scone and nibbled it, swallowing cautiously, like she wasn’t sure her stomach was going to accept the offering. “So how are you feeling?” I asked, taking a chair across from her.
She shrugged. “Mornings are the worst.”
“Can I get you something to drink?”
“No, thanks.”
“Uh, I was thinking about telling my parents today. If that’s okay with you.”
She chewed and swallowed. “Do you want me to be there?”
“I hadn’t thought about it,” I said, surprised by the offer. “Sure, if you want to.”
“Are you nervous to tell them?”
“No. I mean, maybe. A little.” I closed my eyes. “Yes.”
She laughed softly—another surprise. “I’ll go with you.”
“Thanks.” I opened my eyes, my body warming with gratitude and affection. “I think it will be good coming from both of us.”
“What time do you want to go?”
“I was thinking this afternoon. I’m meeting Felicity here shortly to go over deliveries and inventory, so maybe around one?”
“Okay.” She looked down at the scone in her hands. “I haven’t told my mom and dad yet. Will your parents keep it to themselves until I work up my nerve?”
“I’m sure they will.” I stared at the antique tabletop, running my thumb over a nick in the wood. “Ellie, I was awake all night.”
“Me too.”
I looked up at her. “Is it because you didn’t mean what you said about me going to California? Because I can try to get out of the contract.”
She shook her head. “No. I meant what I said. I think the ten weeks apart will be a good chance for us both to process this. And figure out what life will look like moving forward.”
“But—”
“Gianni. Can you look me in the eye right now, and honestly tell me you don’t want to do the show?”
“No,” I conceded.
“That’s what I thought.”
“You should come with me.” The words came out of nowhere.
Ellie looked alarmed. “What? No.”
“Why not? We could get a—”
“Why on earth would I come with you?”
“Because you’re pregnant. And I . . . feel bad leaving.”
It took her a minute to answer, but when she did, her voice was firm. “I’m not going with you, Gianni. My job is here. My family is here. My life is here.” Her eyes filled with tears. “It’s better that way. You’ll see.”
“Okay,” I said quickly, hating that I’d made her cry. “If that’s what you want, I’ll go alone. But I’ll come back when the show is done.”
“Fine,” she said, closing up the bag. “By then it will be fine.”
Her choice of words confused me. “What will be fine?”
“Never mind.” She stood up. “I’ll text you when I’m ready to go.”