Page 44 of Risk It All
Idefinitelyshouldn’t be here.
The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to turn around. Who went to their ex’s mom’s birthday dinner?!
In my defense, Celine went out of her way to call me, saying how she’d love to see me if I felt comfortable attending. I couldn’t say no. Plus, I wanted to see her and wish her a happy birthday. It was likely going to be the last time I’d see her now that Colin and I were broken up. I knew Colin wouldn’t be here, but I wasn’t sure if that made it better or worse that Iwashere. He had a trip with his friends this weekend. While I was bummed for Celine that Colin wouldn’t be here to celebrate her, I couldn’t help the relief that I wouldn’t have to deal with him today.
From the moment I met Celine, she’d welcomed me into her home and supported my relationship with her son. She didn’t skeptically eye my tattoos or nose ring. Or turn her nose up at the fact that I enjoyed bartending. Or sayNo, really, what are youactuallygoing to do as a job after college?when I told her I wanted to open a yoga studio in my hometown.
It wasn’t that I expectedher to do any of that, but…I heard and saw things enough times that I assumed most people had similar thoughts.
I didn’t regret leaving home to go to college—I knew how lucky I was—but I wasn’t prepared for how lonely it’d be. How much I’d miss the feeling of home only to realize that what I thought of ashomedidn’t really exist anymore.
Yes, I could always go back to Golden Falls, but things would be different. I wouldn’t be living with my grandma anymore. Yes, I’d still be arguing and bickering with my brother, but we weren’t kids anymore.
It wasn’t a bad thing—it was the natural next step—but it left a heavy feeling in my stomach, nonetheless.
Being in Celine’s home lessened some of that. It reminded me that as life moved forward, there were new people to meet and new memories to make.
I didn’t need to be here for long. I’d say hi to Celine, give her her gift, have some food, and drive back home.
Turned out, my idea of a quick getaway was just that—an idea.
Celine greeted me with a warm hug and immediately pulled me into a handful of conversations to introduce me to her friends and family. While I’d expected her to introduce me asColin’s ex Eliza, she didn’t. I was simply Eliza, and I loved her even more for that.
About an hour into the party, I spotted Celine carrying a stack of plates and quickly intercepted her. “I’ll take these back to the kitchen for you. Do you need me to bring you anything? Another drink? More food?”
Celine shook her head, giving my arm a gentle squeeze. “Thank you, hon. I don’t need anything else. Don’t worry about me.” Her eyes stayed on me for a moment, crinkling at the corners. “Did I mention how glad I am that you’re here?”
“Only a handful of times,” I teased, but a genuine smile spread across my lips. “I’m happy to celebrate you. Thank you for inviting me.”
Celine waved her hand. “No need to thank me. You know you’re always welcome here.”
I’d gotten to know Celine enough to believe she meant it and that it wasn’t an empty invitation. I wasn’t sure if I’d take her up on it, but…it was nice to hear. I gave her another smile before walking to the kitchen.
I stopped when I made it to the doorway. Leo stood by the sink, rinsing dishes and placing them in the dishwasher. I hadn’t seen him much today. He was busy mingling with guests when I arrived, all of whom complimented the food he’d prepared for his mom’s party and asked him about his upcoming move to Portland.
“I thought there was a rule that whoever cooks doesn’t need to do the dishes,” I said as I came up behind him, setting the plates on the counter. “Or are you tired of answering the same questions so you’re hiding out here?”
His shoulders lifted with his huff of a laugh, and he shook his head. “I’ve never heard of such a rule. You’re telling me I’ve been doing dishes all these years for nothing?”
I grinned at him, trying to nudge him out of the way—away from the sink—but his broad frame stood sturdy.Verysturdy. And stubborn.
But I was more stubborn. I gave his side another nudge, saying, “Let me help,” which earned me a grunt and a small concession. He stepped to the side, letting me rinse the dishes while he put them in the dishwasher.
We made small talk as we cleaned, but he kept his focus down, not sparing me a glance. It shouldn’t have mattered—I didn’t even know why I noticed—but it stung. We’d been friendly during the times we’d seen each other while I dated Colin, but I guessed it made sense why our dynamic had shifted. Colin and I weren’t together anymore, so he didn’t have to pretend to be nice to me. Or maybe he was frustrated that I broke up with his brother. Although, I could’ve sworn there were moments when he was frustrated I waswithColin.
I’d been frustrated with myself during those moments, too.
“Is everything okay?” I asked. “You seem…” I trailed off, not sure how to fill that in and not necessarily wanting to bring up the break up.
“Everything’s fine.”
I rinsed the final plate and handed it to him, but instead of letting go when his large hand grabbed it, I held on, tugging it and forcing him to look at me. Fuckingfinally.
Except I immediately regretted it.
Heat simmered in his blue eyes. Hot and heavy. Dangerous.
His nostrils flared as his gaze dropped to my mouth then moved to the slope of my neck.
