question wrong, so I want to rework that section tomorrow.”
I nodded, forcing a smile. Placing my glass down, I forgot my food for a moment. “You don't worry that you're working too hard, do you?”
“Ella, there's no such thing as working too hard,” he sniggered. “If I want to get ahead, I have to earn it.”
“Yeah, but what about fun? Re-energizing with a little R and R.”
“I have fun.” He lifted his fork full of food. “I'm having fun right now.” He leaned toward me. “I had fun this morning.”
I breathed out a laugh that sounded so incredibly fake to me. He didn't seem to notice.
“And there'll be more fun coming.” He winked.
“What do you mean?” I tipped my head.
“Well, I've decided to take Mom's advice and have two twenty-first birthday parties.”
I raised my eyebrows.
“Yeah.” He grinned. “Since Luke can't make it home for Christmas, he's going to fly here for my college twenty-first party and then we can celebrate a family twenty-first in December.”
“Cool.” I nodded. “What are you thinking of doing?”
“Well, Luke's friends with the hotel manager at Hudson's. You know , that swanky place uptown?”
I didn't, but nodded anyway ; it was just easier.
“He's booking a room for me, and we'll have a nice dinner with some champagne and cocktails. I'll invite all my UChicago friends. We'll have one or two speeches, and then I'll cut a cake , I guess.”
“Nice.”
There was that word again.
Smoothing down my dress and rearranging my napkin, I let David's voice wash over me as he continued chatting. The conversation inevitably moved from party plans back to his awesome day. He was on fire, excited about the test on Monday. I didn't think that emotion was even possible when talking about tests of any kind.
I smiled and nodded like I always did when he chatted about this stuff. He was so enthusiastic and animated, it was easy to watch him. He was going to do so great with his life. He had it all mapped out, and I was part of that plan.
It might not be exciting, but it felt secure and comfortable, which was a good thing.
“Will you call me when you get there?” I clung to his shoulders.
The bustle of LAX blurred around me as I tried to make the moment last.
“Of course, baby.” He pulled away from me, holding me at arm's length. “You'll be by my side in no time.”
“There's no guarantee I'll even get in to UChicago next year.”
“Well, if you don't, we'll try for the year after that.”
I smiled at him. I loved the way he always sounded so confident, so sure.
“I've got a plan, Ella, and you're part of that plan, so no matter what, we're gonna make this work.”
He kissed me hard, sealing all his promises between our locked lips.
I'd believed him, waved him off with high hopes and clung to that promise ever since.
David was my security; everything I needed in life was wrapped up in his confidence...his plan. Chewing down my last piece of fish, I washed it away with lemon water and dabbed my lips with the thick, cloth napkin.
Being with David was the right move for me. Shower guy got me hot and Cole made my mouth water, but what would they ever provide for me? I had a life and a future with David.
So, why did that thought not thrill me the way it used to?
I placed my napkin on the table with a little frown, muttering a thank you to the waiter as he collected my plate.
“Do you want any dessert?”
I shook my head. I felt a little off, and I wasn't sure if it was the food or the myriad of doubts attacking me.
The check arrived and David gave it a once-over like he always did, making sure all the details were accurate. Satisfied, he calculated a fair tip and paid accordingly.
He thanked the waiter, giving him a confident smile and turned back to me, sliding his hand across the table and over my fingers. He squeezed my wrist, his dimple appearing.
“I can't have you staying the night, because I really need to get some decent sleep for
I nodded, forcing a smile. Placing my glass down, I forgot my food for a moment. “You don't worry that you're working too hard, do you?”
“Ella, there's no such thing as working too hard,” he sniggered. “If I want to get ahead, I have to earn it.”
“Yeah, but what about fun? Re-energizing with a little R and R.”
“I have fun.” He lifted his fork full of food. “I'm having fun right now.” He leaned toward me. “I had fun this morning.”
I breathed out a laugh that sounded so incredibly fake to me. He didn't seem to notice.
“And there'll be more fun coming.” He winked.
“What do you mean?” I tipped my head.
“Well, I've decided to take Mom's advice and have two twenty-first birthday parties.”
I raised my eyebrows.
“Yeah.” He grinned. “Since Luke can't make it home for Christmas, he's going to fly here for my college twenty-first party and then we can celebrate a family twenty-first in December.”
“Cool.” I nodded. “What are you thinking of doing?”
“Well, Luke's friends with the hotel manager at Hudson's. You know , that swanky place uptown?”
I didn't, but nodded anyway ; it was just easier.
“He's booking a room for me, and we'll have a nice dinner with some champagne and cocktails. I'll invite all my UChicago friends. We'll have one or two speeches, and then I'll cut a cake , I guess.”
“Nice.”
There was that word again.
Smoothing down my dress and rearranging my napkin, I let David's voice wash over me as he continued chatting. The conversation inevitably moved from party plans back to his awesome day. He was on fire, excited about the test on Monday. I didn't think that emotion was even possible when talking about tests of any kind.
I smiled and nodded like I always did when he chatted about this stuff. He was so enthusiastic and animated, it was easy to watch him. He was going to do so great with his life. He had it all mapped out, and I was part of that plan.
It might not be exciting, but it felt secure and comfortable, which was a good thing.
“Will you call me when you get there?” I clung to his shoulders.
The bustle of LAX blurred around me as I tried to make the moment last.
“Of course, baby.” He pulled away from me, holding me at arm's length. “You'll be by my side in no time.”
“There's no guarantee I'll even get in to UChicago next year.”
“Well, if you don't, we'll try for the year after that.”
I smiled at him. I loved the way he always sounded so confident, so sure.
“I've got a plan, Ella, and you're part of that plan, so no matter what, we're gonna make this work.”
He kissed me hard, sealing all his promises between our locked lips.
I'd believed him, waved him off with high hopes and clung to that promise ever since.
David was my security; everything I needed in life was wrapped up in his confidence...his plan. Chewing down my last piece of fish, I washed it away with lemon water and dabbed my lips with the thick, cloth napkin.
Being with David was the right move for me. Shower guy got me hot and Cole made my mouth water, but what would they ever provide for me? I had a life and a future with David.
So, why did that thought not thrill me the way it used to?
I placed my napkin on the table with a little frown, muttering a thank you to the waiter as he collected my plate.
“Do you want any dessert?”
I shook my head. I felt a little off, and I wasn't sure if it was the food or the myriad of doubts attacking me.
The check arrived and David gave it a once-over like he always did, making sure all the details were accurate. Satisfied, he calculated a fair tip and paid accordingly.
He thanked the waiter, giving him a confident smile and turned back to me, sliding his hand across the table and over my fingers. He squeezed my wrist, his dimple appearing.
“I can't have you staying the night, because I really need to get some decent sleep for
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