Three Rules I’d Never Break by Remi Carrington

Chapter 13

When I woke up, there was a text message waiting for me, a message longer than typical for Eli. He’d been up late if the timestamp was any indication.

You asked how I knew. I assume you meant how I knew it was you standing in the garage. A few reasons. When you’re near me, my nerve endings tingle as if lightning might strike at any moment. Your perfume wraps around me and reminds me of that morning in Tessa’s shop. Also, I saw you getting out of your car and staring at my trailer.

How was I supposed to respond to that? I couldn’t just leave him on read. This text required a prompt response.

I typed out the first thing that popped into my head. I’ll be smiling all day because of this text.

He sent a thumbs up, so he was awake. Was that his only reply? I wanted to toss my phone against the wall. Then little dots showed up as he typed out another message.

I waited as the dots danced. Then they stopped, but I still waited. And waited. Finally, the dots popped up again and soon after a message.

I had fun. Talk to you soon.

As soon as my feet hit the floor, I threw on clothes, pulled my hair into a ponytail, and hightailed it to Tessa’s. Moving helped my brain kick into gear, and the pieces started to fit together. When I’d told Tessa I was going to Joji’s, she’d known I’d likely see Eli there, but had she known Joji’s plan? Hopefully, I’d get a chance to ask, but Saturday mornings were often busy.

When I took a seat at my favorite spot along the counter, Tessa waved. “I set a mug and doughnut there for you.”

“How’d you know I’d be coming in?” The crowded room made me curious about how she’d answer.

She winked. “Just a guess.”

“Guess, my foot.” I filled my mug then devoured the cream-filled doughnut, hoping my patience outlasted the crowd.

While customers kept Tessa busy, I put in my earbuds and watched videos about people rebuilding Datsuns. After two minutes of the first video, I was even more impressed with Eli.

After a half hour, I started to grow concerned. If there wasn’t a lull soon, I wouldn’t get a chance to talk to Tessa before it was time to open my store.

She walked up, wiping her hands on her apron. “I probably have about two minutes until more people arrive. I want to hear how it went last night. You had fun?”

“I did. Joji is a hoot. She told me all about her travels.”

That part was true. Joji had told me all about her travels and how she fell in love with Clint. But that part of the evening wasn’t what had Tessa so curious. I wasn’t dumb, but I could act dumb.

Tessa propped her fists on her hips. “Delaney Carter, tell me about Eli.”

“He was there.”

“And?” She leaned closer, eagerness dancing as twinkles in her eyes. “Did he talk to you?”

“Did you know Joji was going to invite me over and conveniently have to leave?”

She shook her head, grinning. “No, but that sounds like Joji. She’s probably been talking to Cami.”

“Probably. Anyway, Eli was wrenching on his Datsun Z series. I think that’s what it’s called. Sweet car.” I walked to the coffee station and filled my mug, making her wait. “He told me all about it. The cylinders all in a line. How many miles it has on it. You were a hundred percent right about him talking about cars. He’s like a walking database.”

“That’s Eli. Did anything happen?”

If I didn’t want her opinion, I might’ve made her wait longer, but instead, I held up my phone. “I woke up to this message.”

Her jaw fell open, then she beamed. “Yay!”

“That’s what I thought until I got to the talk to you soon part.”

She handed back my phone. “Be patient with Eli. It sure doesn’t seem to me like he’s losing interest. I’m guessing he’ll be in touch soon.”

“You think so? I really hope. We’ve been texting, but . . .” I shrugged. I really just wanted him to ask me out.

She nodded, then looked at the door as it opened. “He’ll call you soon, I bet.”

“Thanks. I need to run. Issa can’t work today, so I need to be there.” I waved as I ran out the door. Patience. I needed that word tattooed on the back of my hand. Maybe both of them. My plan and patience didn’t mesh together all that well. But if this situation required patience, I’d ditch my plan.

* * *

That afternoonas I was closing the shop, my phone dinged the special notification I’d set for Eli. Yes, I’d turned on my sound. Missing his texts wasn’t an option.

You said you wouldn’t look good bald. I disagree. Even if all your hair fell out, you’d be beautiful.

I stared at his text a long second before responding. You know how to make a woman smile.

Not all of them.

I narrowed my answer. You know how to make me smile.

Good. He was probably wearing that signature Gallagher grin. Mind if I call you later?

I’d love that. Using the L word was a poor choice, but I typed without thinking, and it wasn’t a lie.

I hurried through the closing routine, then drove out to the house before grabbing dinner and heading home. The whole time, my phone was in my pocket or next to me.

Of course, with Eli’s impeccable timing, he called just as I stepped out of the shower. With a towel wrapped around me, I answered, trying to sound dressed. “Hey.”

“Did I catch you at a bad time?”

“No. This is great.” I switched it to speaker and hurriedly put on clothes.

“You know what I like to do in my spare time, at least one thing. What do you like to do?”

I pulled a shirt on then crawled into bed. “I’m a bit chaotic in my interests. When I’m not living in one room, I spend my free time doing all sorts of stuff that fuels my creative side. I tend to jump from one passion to another. Once I spent a month turning cans into garden art. Then I switched to crocheting. But right now, I can’t do any of that. I read and watch videos about all the fun things I’ll be able to do in my new craft room.”

“Jumping from one passion to another, huh?”

“Crafting passions.”

A low chuckle rumbled. “Good to know.”

Did Eli have any idea how sexy he was? Even on the phone, he made my heart flutter.

Something shuffled in the background. “What will be your first project?”

“A wreath for the front door.” I’d already chosen the design, but I wouldn’t buy any supplies until I had ample space to create. “Are you working on the car?”

“Not tonight. Bones and I are out for a walk.”

“He’s a sweet dog. Do you always take him with you?”

Eli chuckled again. “Every time I walk, he follows me.”

“Do you like dogs?” I crossed my fingers, hoping he wouldn’t say that he wasn’t a fan of dogs.

“I do. Goats and llamas on the other hand, I would not want as pets.”

I laughed, picturing Eli trying to reason with a llama. “Can’t say I’ve ever thought about either of those as pets.”

“What about you? Dog person?”

“Yes.” I didn’t gush about how I wanted a puppy. Leaving topics for other conversations wasn’t a bad thing.

For the next hour, we chatted. He’d ask questions, and we talked like he’d never been quiet around me.

“I should let you go.”

“I really enjoyed this.” I preferred in person interaction because he was easy on the eyes and made my heart go flippity-flop, but I liked this too.

“Night, Delaney.”

“Sweet dreams.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

I’d be hearing that in my dreams tonight.

I slipped out of bed, snapped a picture of my locked door, and sent it to him.

A thumbs up popped up in response.

* * *

The next nightmy phone rang, and I grabbed it off the nightstand. “Hi.”

“Hey. How are you?” Eli used his sexy, rumbly voice.

I’d woken up to a Good Morning text from him, which totally made the morning better. Now, we were on the phone again. I’d love it if this pattern continued.

“It was a good day. How about you?”

“Can’t complain.” Something clinked in the background. “Sorry for the noise. I’m cleaning up after making dinner.”

“You cook?”

“Not like Jeffrey, but it’s edible.” Eli laughed. “With Joji next door, I don’t cook much. She likes to feed me, and she’s a fabulous cook.”

“I miss having a kitchen. But soon. I’m counting the days.” I flopped across the bed, settling in for a long conversation.

We talked about family, pets, and favorite Christmas memories.

Then caught up in the delight of the conversation I said something I immediately wanted to retract. “Tell me about your most embarrassing moment.”

He chuckled. “You’re going right for the jugular, aren’t you?”

If he hadn’t been laughing, I would’ve been more concerned. “We can skip it.”

“I was quarterback my senior year. During the pep rally before a big game, I was on stage. Then the head cheerleader hopped on stage to lead everyone in a cheer.”

I could already see where this story was headed. “Did you like her?”

“Back then I thought she was adorable. Anyway, she did her cheer and at the very end, I was supposed to say Go Cowboys. But she touched my arm, and I just stared at her. Until people started laughing. Then I walked off the stage.”

“Aww. Did you ever ask her out?”

“Nah. Later that day, I heard her mocking me with her friends. I might’ve deserved it, but she didn’t seem so cute after that.”

“That’s awful.”

“It was a long time ago. People only bring it up every month or so now.” The humor in his voice had an edge to it.

“Downside of living in a small town, huh?”

“Yep. Especially since I stayed in the same place I grew up. Now, what about you?”

“Um.” I did not want to tell Eli this story. Why had I opened my big mouth?

“Delaney?”

“I was a freshman. I was not the head cheerleader. I was a nobody. Then after completely humiliating myself and being whispered about in the halls, I wanted to go back to being a nobody.”

“That sounds ominous.”

“It was horrible. We were on the bleachers for group photos. The school was big enough that you didn’t really know everyone, but small enough that the entire school could take a picture together. Somehow, I ended up in the back on the very edge. Just as the photographer told us to say cheese, I toppled off the end. If I’d fallen backward, it wouldn’t have mattered. But I went headfirst over the side, and I wanted to die. My dress succumbed to gravity and left me completely exposed.”

“Yikes. Most people were probably too busy posing for the picture to notice, right?”

“That was the photo that ended up in the yearbook. The entire school and me, not my face . . . just my underwear.” I sighed. “You can laugh.”

“That sounds pretty embarrassing. Did that have any sway on your career choice?”

“Quite possibly. Because what I’d chosen that day was not picture-ready.”

“Picture-ready?”

Warmth flooded my face, and I fumbled for an answer.

“Are you blushing?”

“How am I supposed to know? I’m not in front of a mirror.” I gathered my wits. “You know what I meant. I don’t want you to think . . .”

“I remember what you told me that night. Please know I’m not like that.”

“You sure don’t seem to be. It’s nice.” I stifled a yawn because I didn’t want Eli to hear it and suggest we hang up.

But that man didn’t miss anything. “You’re tired. I’ll let you go.”

“Eli, thanks for calling tonight.”

He was quiet for a few heartbeats. “Talk to you tomorrow.”

Now I had something to look forward to.

* * *

The next morningI woke up to another text from Eli. You’re on my mind a lot. That night, he called again.

But on the fourth day, after waking up to a good morning text from Eli, I hadn’t heard from him at all. When the sun dropped below the horizon and I hadn’t heard from him, I opted to send him a quick message.

I hope you had a good day. I refused to hop on the worry train. There were other explanations for the missed call that didn’t involve police shoot outs.

A couple of minutes later he replied: You busy?

I’m almost through my pile of books. The store is all in order, and Tessa is asleep, so no, I’m not busy.

The Eli knock sounded at my back door. I almost tripped running down the hall.

“Hi.”

He scrubbed his jaw, exhaustion evident in the lines on his face. “Hey. I was going to grab some barbeque.”

“I’ll grab my purse.”

“And shoes?” For the first time since I’d opened the door, he smiled.

“If you insist.” I hollered back as I walked into my room.

As fast as I could, I threw on shoes, then looked down at my leggings and t-shirt.

“You look fine.” Eli could apparently see through walls.

I poked my head out the door. “Were you spying on me?”

“You’re beautiful, Delaney. And I’m hungry.”

“Don’t become a motivational speaker.” I swung my purse onto my shoulder and grabbed his hand. “I’m ready.”

He squeezed my fingers. “You texted me as I pulled out of the station. Good timing.”

“Bad day, huh?”

He nodded as he pulled open the truck door for me. “I might be a bit quiet tonight.”

I hopped into the truck, then squeezed his hand. “I’m perfectly okay with that.”

His lingering gaze nearly set my clothes on fire. Whatever it was he wasn’t saying with words had me swooning.

Funny thing was, the urge to kiss him didn’t have my fingers itching. I wanted to hold him, to wrap my arms around his middle, rest my head on his chest, and chase away the dark clouds.