“I know what I want, and I can take care of myself, Axel. A month ago I didn’t know you existed. Don’t try to tell me what I need.” Her words were harsher than they needed to be, but she was so confused right now.
“I wasn’t trying to tell you anything. I was just pointing out that it’s been a rough day and it might be better not to be alone.” She could hear the control in his tone, could tell he was trying not to show his irritation. Even that frustrated her.
“Just leave. I’ll talk to you later,” she said before climbing from the car.
When she heard his door open and shut, her heart accelerated. She was going to say something she regretted if he didn’t get the heck out of there, and she really didn’t want to do that. But with the mood she was in, she wouldn’t be able to stop herself.
“I’m not some frightened little kid you can just shoo away when it suits you, Ella,” he snapped as he followed her up the steps.
“You’re a grown man who should have some pride and get lost when he’s been uninvited,” she said, turning to glare at him.
“Seriously? I’m trying really hard here not to say something nasty, but you’re acting like a—” He stopped and her eyes narrowed.
“Acting like a what, Axel?”
If looks could burn a man alive, he’d be nothing but ashes at her feet right now. “You know what, Ella? You’re right. I think it’s a lot better if I’m not here.” He turned and marched purposefully back to his car.
“As long as it’s your idea, right? It can’t possibly be the little woman asking you to leave!” she called out as he reached his door.
She saw his back muscles tense, but gave him credit because he didn’t turn, didn’t fire back at her. She glared at his car as he sat in the driveway and she waited for him to leave. Then she realized he wouldn’t until she went in the house.
It should irritate her that he had to make sure she got inside, but instead it diffused her temper. She actually liked that he could be a gentleman, liked that he worried about her safety. Turning back to her door, she unlocked it and dealt with her alarm, then peeked out to see him backing away.
After wandering into her kitchen, she felt the tears sting her eyes. They didn’t fall, but she was almost relieved to feel something. Maybe the whole mess of dealing with her ex and the courts had affected her more than she’d thought. Maybe she just didn’t know how she felt.
Almost on cue, her phone rang. She didn’t want to answer, but when she looked at the caller ID, she knew it’d be futile to ignore the call.
“Hi, Maycie.”
“I’ve called ten times! I can’t believe you refused to let us come to the trial. Reese and I are on the way over now,” she said in a rush. “We have ice cream, chocolate sauce, and a bag full of goodies.”
“I’m glad. I need you.” Those weren’t the words that she’d intended to say, but they were what she felt.
“Be there in ten.”
Hanging up, she sat there without movement until she heard the pounding on her door.
Walking to the door, all it took was one look for her to fall apart. Suddenly she was sobbing so hard she could barely disable the alarm.
“Honey, you should’ve let us be your support system at the trial,” Reese said as she wrapped her arms around Ella.
“You foolish girl,” Maycie added as she joined in on the hug.
“I know I should’ve had you there. I just . . . I don’t know . . .” She trailed off as they shut the door and moved into the living room. Reese went into the kitchen and dished them up sinfully delicious treats and then returned before allowing any further conversation to continue.
“What do you want to talk about? The case? Or the man?”
Ella didn’t even try to play dumb. “I should want to talk about the case, and I’m sure I will, but right now I can’t seem to think about anything other than Axel,” she said with disgust. “It’s too soon to be this wrapped up in him, isn’t it? Tell me it’s too soon,” she pleaded with them.
“Heck, Ella, my parents met while on spring break their senior year of college and were married by the end of the week. I wouldn’t advise anyone to move that quickly, but sometimes when you know, you know. They’re still disgustingly happy together,” Maycie said with a laugh. All three of the girls had seen Maycie’s parents making out like teenagers. It was quite disturbing.
“Ugh. Maybe if I could understand exactly what I felt, it wouldn’t be so bad,” she said, digging into her bowl of pure delight.
“Well then, we’ll work through it. Let’s make a pros and cons list,” Maycie said, grabbing a piece of paper.
“This isn’t a pen-and-paper kind of talk,” Ella said with a real smile this time.
“Everything is a pen-and-paper kind of talk,” Maycie argued.
“Fine. I think he’s stunningly handsome, that’s for sure.”
“We can see that for ourselves, dorkus. Looks fade. If there isn’t anything else to him, then there’s your answer,” Reese wisely said.
“He makes my body sing at a single touch, or even just a look. I can’t get enough of his kisses, his touch, or his . . .” She grinned, and her two friends knew exactly what she meant.
“I’m not dissing the lovemaking, girlfriend. That has to be fantastic, but seriously, there has to be more than that in the relationship, too,” Maycie said with a dreamy sigh.
“I’m in lust with the man, but it’s . . . I don’t know . . . more. I actually enjoy him, enjoy his company. He makes me laugh, gives me goose bumps, shows me things about myself that I didn’t know. He makes me do things I thought I couldn’t do, like the dang haunted house, even though that didn’t turn out so well. He makes me feel alive.”