Three Rules I’d Never Break by Remi Carrington

Chapter 14

Ichatted during most of dinner. Eli stayed quiet. But this was a different kind of quiet. He didn’t talk about whatever had happened that made it a rough day, and I didn’t ask. Nothing I could say would make it better, but I could be a bubbly distraction. And I gave it my all.

After telling him all about the progress on the house, Eli got to hear about my string of bad dates, which I realized was probably a mistake when he asked for the guys’ names. Thankfully, when I rolled my eyes, he smiled, not a full Gallagher grin but even a small smile was a treat.

Then he walked me to my door.

After unlocking it, I turned to face him instead of opening it. “I’m sorry about whatever happened today.”

He nodded and stepped closer. “Thank you for not asking me to talk about it.”

I gave into impulse and wrapped my arms around his waist.

He pressed a hand to my back, and the other threaded in my hair. Pulled tight against him, I closed my eyes, wanting this moment to last a long time.

When he pulled away, he rubbed my arm. “I needed that.”

“Night, Eli.” I went through the routine of locking the door and sending him a picture.

This time his reply surprised me. If you need me, call. No matter what time.

I sent a heart because I was so choked up, I couldn’t even text words.

* * *

The next morning,I woke up smiling. I wasn’t even sure how to label how things were with Eli, but one thing was unquestionable. I liked being with him.

I rolled out of bed, eager to tell Tessa about last night. If I arrived early enough, the crowds wouldn’t be too bad since it was a Sunday morning. If I waited, then it would be chaos.

After changing out of my jammies, I checked my phone, then fell back across the bed as I read the message from Eli.

I’m rebuilding the carburetor Saturday if you want to watch . . . or help. Being quiet isn’t required.

Yes, please. I for sure wanted to watch, and helping might be fun too. What time? I can come over after the shop closes at 4.

4:30.

Perfect. I harbored a hope that we might end up at a restaurant together after we were done working on the car. And I’d be sure to dab a little perfume on my pulse points to keep that kiss in his thoughts.

I ran next door, grateful for the empty shop. “Hey. No customers yet?”

Tessa grabbed a mug off the shelf behind the counter. “Had a few people when I opened. How are you? You seem very chipper for this time of the morning.”

“Eli showed up last night. He’d had a rough day at work and stopped by to see if I wanted to grab dinner.”

Her eyebrows lifted, but she stayed silent.

“He didn’t talk much. Mostly I talked to him about the progress on the house. I think he didn’t want to be alone.”

Tessa shook her head. “He knows he can call me whenever. His parents live ten minutes from here. And his granddad is only twenty minutes away. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to be alone. He wanted to be with you.”

“I think he does. He sent me this.” I showed her the most recent message. “He invited me to help him rebuild his carburetor.” My cheeks would likely ache from smiling, but I couldn’t help it. Every time I read the text, a new wave of happiness washed over me. “I’m not sure that qualifies as anything like a date, but I’m excited.”

She blinked. “He asked you to work on his car?”

“It’s unconventional, I know. He said I could watch or help.”

She grabbed a rag and wiped down the counter.

“What? Don’t give me that look and not say anything.” I glanced toward the door, hoping she could spill the beans before someone walked to the counter.

“That’s his baby. Asking you to help is . . .”

“Say it.”

“Atypical. Just like I’d never seen Eli kiss someone before breakfast in my shop. I’ve never heard of him asking a woman to hang out while he worked on his car. I hesitated to tell you because . . .” She shrugged.

“Because you don’t want me to get my hopes up in case it all comes crashing down.”

“Yeah. Not that I think it will. It’s obvious he likes you.”

“But now that he’s talking a little more, you wonder if he’s going to follow his pattern.”

“No, I don’t think he will. Really.” Tessa’s nose crinkled when she scrunched it up. “The thought has crossed my mind.”

The woman was as honest as the summer day was long.

I downed the rest of my coffee. “That thought has set up camp in my head. And installed a neon sign.”

People walked in, and our conversation came to an end.

“I’ll talk to you later.”

“Keep me posted.” She waved as I ran out the door.

While one side of my brain pleaded that I proceed with caution, the other side shoved all the chips to the center of the table.

I wasn’t sure how this would play out, but I was all in.

* * *

On Saturday,after flipping the bolt on the front door and closing the blinds, I ran back to my room to change. I’d spent days thinking about what to wear. Something casual enough so that I didn’t look out of place working on a car, but something cute enough that he’d want to invite me over again.

I wasn’t too worried about that second part. He’d called every night. Sometimes we talked for more than an hour; other times we only chatted for a few minutes.

Staring at my clothes, I tried to think through how the day might go. Considering the entire engine was covered in grease, I expected that the carburetor was also. Having a change of clothes in the car was a must if I wanted to be prepared for anything.

Why was it so hard to decide what to wear? I yanked on a pair of shorts, then flipped through shirts, waffling on whether a tank top or t-shirt would be better.

My phone buzzed, and I held my breath as I read the first part of Eli’s message. Change of plans . . .

Was he canceling? I swiped to read the rest of the text.

Turns out they shipped me the wrong carburetor kit, so we won’t be fixing it today. You up for a horseback ride? If so, slip on your jeans and boots and I’ll be there at 4:30 to pick you up.

Sounds fun, but I’ve never been horseback riding before. I danced a small jig before slipping off my shorts and pulling on fitted jeans.

My turquoise boots had been sorely neglected because I hadn’t been dancing in ages, and other than that, I had little reason to wear them.

Every two seconds, I glanced at the phone, waiting for Eli to reply.

At twelve minutes after four, he knocked at the back door. I pulled on my second boot and ran to answer it.

Eli grinned. “Hey. No hurry. I’m here a little early.” His gaze drifted downward, then snapped back up. “Nice boots.”

“Come on in. I need to grab one more thing.” I ran back to my room.

He stood in the hallway outside my door. “Thanks for being flexible.”

“Thanks for asking me out.” Tying my lace-trimmed flannel around my waist, I stepped out of my room.

That amazing Gallagher grin spread across his face. “Ready?”

“Think this tank top is okay or should I change into a t-shirt or something?” Standing in the bathroom doorway, I stared at my reflection in the small mirror above the sink.

“You’re perfect.” He met my gaze in the mirror.

I gave an eye roll and shook my head, hoping that he couldn’t see the true effect his words had on me. My heart was thumping. My palms were sweating, and a blush spread across my cheeks.

He probably noticed that.

“For someone with a tiny allotment of daily words, you use them wisely.”

Still grinning, he stuck his hands in his pockets. I wasn’t sure what had shifted by hanging out together while he worked on his car, but something had. And it was wonderful.

I picked up my purse, then dropped it again. “I think maybe I’ll just take my keys and phone.”

“That works.”

I rubbed his back as I passed him, headed to the door. “I can’t wait until I’m out of this place.”

“How much longer?” He reached around me and pulled the door open.

Before taking a step, I breathed in that intoxicating scent of sage and citrus. “They’re thinking two months. Which was the same thing he said a few weeks ago, so we’ll see.”

He grunted.

I knew he wouldn’t like that answer. But to his credit, he didn’t say anything else.

He opened the passenger door, and I climbed in. “Eli, do I get a raincheck on the carburetor rebuild?”

My question danced twinkles in his green eyes.

“Yes, ma’am.”

Whatever this was, I was loving every minute of it.