Our food comes, and we enjoy the meal. I understand now what he means by no longer noticing the people around us. I’m sure they’re watching, but I don’t pay attention. I’m here with him, and that’s all I care about.
Eli and I chat about his time in New York as I sit enthralled. It all sounds so exciting. We finish the meal and are enjoying our bottle of wine. He tells me about his co-workers, and I can’t help but fangirl a little over Noah Frazier. After Eli, he’s my favorite character, and hearing about how they hang out makes me a little giddy.
“Is Noah as cute in person as he is on television?” I blurt out.
Eli nearly chokes on his drink. “What?”
“I’m a fan,” I reply with innocence. “Of the show, of course.”
“Oh, of course.” The sarcasm in his voice tells me he clearly doesn’t believe me.
“Jealous?” I taunt.
Eli leans back, crossing his arms across his broad chest. I use all my restraint to hold back my laugh because he looks adorable when he’s being stupid. “Not at all.”
“Good.”
“It’s not like you’re asking me about another guy on our date.”
I giggle a little and recover quickly. “Eli Walsh, do you not know that I think you’re the sexiest man I’ve ever laid eyes on?”
He leans forward, resting his hands on the table. “Do you now?”
I move closer and reach toward him. “Yes.”
“Tell me just how sexy you think I am.”
I extend my hand, and he mirrors my movement. When we connect, Eli laces his fingers with mine. My mouth opens to tell him all the ways I find him sexy when his phone rings. He grumbles as he looks at the screen.
“Hello, Sharon. Yes. No.” His eyes meet mine, and I see the worry there. “We’re on a date . . .” Eli huffs. “I don’t have to tell you beforehand.” A pause. “Well, then do your job and handle it and make it clear what it means.” He disconnects the call and then runs his hand down his face.
It doesn’t take a detective to figure out what’s happened. She knew we were out, which means someone has leaked that Eli Walsh is no longer on the market.
Living in our bubble was great, but we knew it wouldn’t last. I’m grateful for the time we had. It allowed us the time to get to know each other and fall in love. If we had people following us around, we may have never gotten past the first date.
“Well, I guess we’re official now, huh?” I smile, hoping to reassure him.
He studies me, and when he finds whatever he was looking for, he smiles. “Yeah, baby. We’re official.”
I nod. “Maybe this means women will stop touching you?”
Eli laughs without reservation. “I doubt it, but I promise not to like it.”
“And I promise not to shoot them when they do.”
I think that’s fair. He doesn’t like it, and I don’t lose my badge or go to jail . . . win, win.
“There will be photos tomorrow.” Eli grows serious.
“I figured as much, people have been staring all night while holding their phones.”
Eli’s eyes turn playful. “How about we give them a good one to post?”
I’m not sure what exactly that means, but the look in his eyes is enough to make me go along with him. He gets to his feet, makes his way around the table, and places one hand on the arm of my chair, the other on the table.
“I’m going to kiss you,” he warns. “I’m going to tell the world that you’re mine, right here and now.”
Warmth spreads through me as his hand moves to my cheek. He leans down, presses his lips to mine, and publicly declares our relationship.
Chapter 24
Heather
“Heather, where are the streamers?” Nicole yells from the living room.
“Check the bags where all the decorations were!”
Today is the surprise party for Eli. I’m shocked I’ve been able to keep him completely in the dark. His mother left for New York the other day and can’t make it, but Randy and Savannah will be here. Nicole came over about an hour ago and started getting things ready.
I told Eli that Nicole needed some best friend time since he’s been monopolizing me and asked him to come pick me up at eight.
“Found them!” She bounces into the room with a grin. “We only have about five more minutes till everyone gets here. What else do you need?”
“I think we’re all set. The cake is done, the food is out, and we’re decorated.”
“Good. Now you can tell me about your big public date with Mr. Sexy Pants last night,” she says as she flops on my bed.
Eli wasn’t kidding when he said it was going to get crazy. Within thirty minutes of the call from his publicist, we had about fifteen paparazzi outside the restaurant. Before we left, he told me exactly what to do and promised he’d shield me as much as he could.
It wasn’t all that fun, but we survived. Once we got back to Eli’s house, he encouraged me to call my friends and the police department to let them know. I couldn’t believe he thought they’d care that much, but he’s the expert on dealing with it. No one seemed to care, except for Matt. That was a fun conversation.
“I’m sure you read all about it,” I say with my brow raised.
Nicole is a gossip column freak, so I’m sure she knew before I did that the story was going to break. “Not the same. But you’re right. Tell me about what happened with Barney Fife instead.”
Her and her names for Matt. “He was very short with me. Just one word answers.”
“I’m glad he knows. I hope he hates himself for walking out on you.”
Eli was not happy about that conversation. He knew he couldn’t say much, but I could see how angry he was that I had to tell Matt. It’s the part about my job that sucks. I wish I didn’t have to deal with my ex-husband, yet I can’t say I didn’t enjoy having to tell him.
“Matt made his choice, and he has to live with it,” I say as I put the last of my clothes away. Not being here much in the last few weeks has made me a little lazy regarding my home. “All right, let’s finish up. They’ll be here soon.”
“Is that what you’re wearing?” Nicole asks.
“Yes.”
“Oh no,” she admonishes me as she looks at my outfit. “You need to change.”
I glance at the shorts and top I’m wearing, confused as to what the hell her issue is. “There’s nothing wrong with my clothes.”
“Put a freaking skirt on.”
“What I’m wearing is fine.”
“No.” She laughs. “What you’re wearing is lame.”
I’m not sure what the hell she wants. “What is the issue? Should I be wearing a ball gown for a party with friends and Eli’s brother?”
She snorts and heads to my closet. “You need to dress a little sexy for the man. It’s his birthday! I have two words—easy . . . access.”
The one thing that will always be constant is that Nicole is always thinking about sex. I’m here, worrying about making sure the house is ready, and she’s worrying about me getting laid. Nicole riffles through my clothes, and a few things fly from my closet.