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Eli encouraged me to apply to more schools, telling me he would be the Ruth to my Naomi and where I go, he will go, which made me laugh. I never expected to have my husband compare us to a Biblical mom and daughter-in-law duo. But then, Eli does live to surprise me.
So far, I’ve gotten two acceptance letters. I have options. But I don’t want them. I wantthis.
Because I don’t want to move. I like our life, the one Eli and I have been building together in the slightly bigger house right next door to Maggie and—most of the time—Annie, who seems to want to stick around too. She’s still figuring out work andher visa situation, making too-frequent cracks about having her own marriage of convenience since ours turned out so well. I don’t bother trying to dissuade her. I learned quickly that telling Annie no is like shooting a starter's pistol, sending her sprinting in the opposite direction from the one you want.
Even so, I like having more family. And now that I have them, I’m not willing to leave them behind. Or ask them to relocate for me. Not Maggie or even Annie, if she’d follow.
Definitely not Eli. I don’t want him to leave the Appies, who are as much his brothers as his friends. And of course, I’d like to stay close to Shannon and Jenny. But the really big non-negotiable is that I can’t move Gran. Even though she still might not know me or not fully know in what city or even state she’s living—a move is disruptive and it’s been a month or more since she threw anything (other than food) at anyone.
All of which makes this letter vastly more important than the others. It’s why I’ve hidden it inside a book on my bedside table for two days. Knowing it’s there but refusing to open it.
“Whatcha got there?”
My head snaps up to see Eli leaning in the doorway, Doris tucked under one arm like a little doggy football. All of which I’d normally find sexy—if I weren’t so busy panicking.
I go with instinct. Which means shoving the letter right down in my bra. Full circle to the day Eli first joked about marrying me. Complete with a sharp corner in an unwelcome spot. I wince.
“Nothing?” I say. “Just … a thing. You’re home early.”
“I’m home right on time. And I happen to lovethings.”
Eli’s grin is wicked as he peels himself off the doorframe, setting Doris down on her dog bed as he stalks toward me. He’s freshly showered after practice, and I love the way his damp hair is just a little darker than when it’s dry. He smells good too, but the devious look in his eyes has me scuttling back againstthe pillows. I grab one and hold it in front of my chest like a memory-foam shield. My heart beat picks up and my adrenaline kicks in, a biological instinct in response to a predator.
Which isn’t wholly abadfeeling.
“Show me,” Eli says, his voice a husky rasp as he reaches the end of the bed, pausing with hands on his hips.
I shake my head. “No, thanks.”
Hetsks, then lowers himself and starts to crawl across the bed toward me. Which doesn’t take long, considering his height. I press back into the pillows as far as I can as he reaches me, sitting up on his knees and placing one palm on either side of my head.
“Don’t make me come and get it,” Eli says.
Actually … that doesn’t sound so bad.
Sounds kind of great, actually.
Arching an eyebrow, I cross my arms over my chest, hearing the crinkle of the letter as I do. “I’m not handing it over willingly. Do your worst, hockey player.”
Grinning, Eli leans in and captures my mouth.
His worst, as it turns out, is the best.
Some time later, when I’m tangled up in the sheets feeling a little boneless and a lot happy, Eli props himself up on an elbow and pulls the letter out from under a pillow. The letter I totally forgot about and also totally lost track of while otherwise … occupied.
Eli holds it up like a prize. “Got it.”
Laughing, I say, “Seems like you forgot what you came for.”
“Oh, I got what I came for.” His smile is slow and satisfied. “This letter is just … something I’m interested to follow up on. Shall we open it?”
As Eli starts to tear open the letter, I grab his wrist. “Wait.” He does, and I lick my lips, trying to articulate my thoughts. “What if it’s a no?”
He sits up, the sheets pooling down around his waist, leaving his bare torso on full display. At least the view is nice. Even if I’m quietly freaking out. Eli slips his wrist out of my grip and cups my face.
“First of all, they’d be dumb not to take you. Your grades were phenomenal, my sweet little nerdling, and from what I understand, your recommendation was stellar. You’re a sure thing. And if they don’t take you—well, we can discuss what you want to do. As I said, I’m willing to do whatever. Our life together isn’t just aboutme. My career doesn’t need to take precedence over yours.”
“I want us both to have what we want,” I say, leaning into his warm palm.
