Page 45 of Tears of Glass

I rub a hand across my face.

“Elijah, please don’t call. Don’t make this more painful than it needs to be.”

“Are you cross because you’re embarrassed? You know there is nothing wrong with Boyz II Men.”

“I’m not embarrassed. I don’t know what you’re doing. This is all a game to you, isn’t it?”

“Hold the line, caller.” He’s typing in the background and I groan. I.

Gerard snorts loudly as his phone beeps and he takes it out his corduroy pocket to check the message. He types back smirking in my direction.

“You’re going to forgive me, Faith.” Elijah’s warm voice licks along my insides.

“I’m not.”

“You are. Dinner, tonight. It’s on me.”

“Elijah—” But he’s gone.

I turn back to the room with a sheepish shrug. Everyone looks amused apart from Meg who is sucking on a particularly bitter lemon.

Chapter Thirteen

He’s stood by the gate when I leave. I pull my coat tighter as a biting wind whips through the street. I’m not surprised to find him loitering. I’d resigned myself to him being here. Damn, I wish my heart didn’t speed and race at the sight of him. He’s got a few people staring, and who can blame them. He’s leaning against the railings, legs crossed at the ankles. His navy coat is wrapped tight, and a beanie covers his extra short hair—he looks like he’s fallen out of the pages of a men’s health magazine. Broad and tall, he’s head and shoulders above most people passing.

“You aren’t getting this, are you?” I question as I get closer, his blues burning through me as he kicks away from the gate.

“Maybe I’m just not listening.” He has the cheek to smirk. It’s like he’s forgotten he broke my heart. Not just broke it, but smashed it to pieces and ground the remaining particles into dust.

“Elijah.” I sigh. I’m tired, a full day of classes has zapped every cell of energy I contain. I roll my shoulders and try to find the words that will make him understand. “Thanks for the bag, and the pen.” His eyes settle on my face, reading me, analysing me in that way only he can. I begin to mumble. “It was kind, but you know how I feel. I can’t let you close again. Not now. Not ever.”

Why does that hurt to say? It’s the right thing. The only way.

“Come on. Dinner.” He cups his hand around my elbow guiding me in the opposite direction to the one I want to go in—home.

“Eli, I said no.” I don’t mean it, but the familiar abbreviation of his name slips from my lips, tasting dark and forbidden, like a rare fruit bursting onto my tongue. His eyes flicker across my face.

“Walk with me, Faith.”

And fuck it. My feet just follow.

“So how was it?” he asks like we are two old friends out for a stroll.

“Fine. I guess.”

“What did you do?” he presses some more.

I don’t think I’ve ever had anyone apart from Al ask me what I’ve learned or done.

“Uh.” I blow a gust of air, puffing out my cheeks which makes him smile. “Uh.”

“First day back, Faith. Come on.” He circles his hand in the air, encouraging me to come up with words—any words. But I can’t. My eyes are skirting across his skin, my body is jangling with unrestrained electricity. It’s taking everything I have to bolt it all down and bury it. What’s wrong with me? This guy stamped on my heart. He stopped me from seeing Al before he died, and he humiliated me in front of a large gathering of people all wearing black tie.

So why am I greedily eating him up with my eyes like he’s the best thing I’ve looked at all day?

“I saw Dylan.” I breathe a sigh of relief when I finally come up with something to say.

“I had a feeling he’d find you.” Elijah lips curve up at the corner.