Comprehension finally dawned on Elisa’s face. “No way,” she said. “He’s changed a lot over the years. Well, it’s no wonder you’re not together. He’s way too cute for you.”
“Oh, really?” Cassie’s innocent expression had disappeared. She laid her fork carefully across her plate and leaned back in her chair. “I suppose that was why Faye convinced her not to marry him when he asked.”
Rebecca risked a glance at her aunt. Faye sat, stunned and unmoving, next to Cassie. Cassie smiled broadly.
“What do you think, Faye? Is someone like Elliot Winters, columnist for a respected newspaper, the real deal, like Elisa says? What would you think if he wanted to date one of us?”
Rebecca gazed at her little sister, not knowing whether to be impressed or horrified. Or both. What was she doing?
Faye turned her head and looked at Rebecca. “Why, I suppose… I mean, I don’t really...”
“What was that, Faye? I couldn’t really hear.”
Her cheeks flushed, Faye’s gaze dropped to Cassie. “I knew Elliot once, a long, long time ago,” she said quietly. “I didn’t take the time then to get to know him as well as I should, and I came to the wrong conclusion. Now, after recent events, I would have to admit that my initial assessment of him was incorrect.” When she looked up again, her eyes were old and full of regret. “If he is as devoted as his columns say he is, I would think that any niece of mine would be very lucky to have him for a husband.”
After they’d said their goodbyes later that evening, Rebecca and Cassie stood in the driveway and looked at each other. Then Cassie started to laugh. “I don’t think you’ll need to worry about Faye trying to convince you that Elliot’s after your money again,” she said, wiping her eyes on the back of her hand. “The fact that you don’t have any money aside, I think she feels guilty enough about the whole Aaron thing to let you marry anyone you please.”
Rebecca stared at her sister in awe. “I can’t believe you went after her like that,” she said. “What possessed you to push the point? It’s not like she knows Elliot and I are seeing each other again.” She clapped a hand over her mouth when she realized what she’d just admitted.
Cassie grinned knowingly. “So you’re dating Elliot now, huh? It took you long enough to admit it. When I saw him this afternoon he couldn’t keep the stupid grin off his face. Did you kiss him last night?” she asked abruptly, watching Rebecca intently.
“What? No. We mostly argued.”
Cassie raised her eyebrows and tapped her foot.
“I think he’s scared to move too fast,” Rebecca told her. “I mean, we have a lot of history behind us. It’ll take a while to get past all that old stuff.”
“But you wouldn’t mind it if he tried, am I right?”
Rebecca wished she didn’t blush so easily. “I plead the fifth.”
Cassie laughed and patted her on the arm. “That’s as good as admitting it. I give you until the end of the week before he plants one on you. Have fun at dinner tomorrow!” Still laughing, she got in her car and drove down the street.
Rebecca spent the next day daydreaming about Elliot and wondering what he was going to do for dinner. On her way home from work her sister called.
“I thought I should tell you what to wear tonight,” Cassie said without preamble. “I know it’s been a while since you’ve been on a real date, and I thought you could use a little friendly advice.”
“I went out with Aaron,” Rebecca protested, “and I hardly think you know more about dating than I do. You’re married. You don’t do dates anymore.”
“I do too go on dates!” Cassie spluttered. “What do you think Michael and I do every weekend, sit on the couch and stare at the walls?”
“No, but it’s different when you’re married. You don’t have to worry about scaring the other person away by what you say or what kind of clothes you put on.”
Cassie snorted. “You’ve got a lot to learn. Now, before you jump into shorts and a t-shirt, I think you should get a little more dressed up. This is Elliot, after all. He deserves at least as good as you gave Aaron.”
Rebecca swerved around a slow car in the fast lane. “What are you trying to say?” she asked distractedly. Did Cassie want her to kiss him?
“Wear the dress we got for that very first party at Elliot’s house. The black one. You look great in it.”
Rebecca’s eyebrows rose. “Isn’t that a little formal for dinner at his apartment?”
“I know what he has planned, and he’s pulled out all the stops,” Cassie said smugly. “Just trust me on this one. Wear the black dress. And leave your hair down. He likes it that way.”
By the time Rebecca had pulled in front of her building, she had reluctantly agreed. “You better know what you’re talking about,” she warned. “If he shows up in jeans, I might just march next door and kill you.”
“I’m so scared.” Cassie laughed. “I feel like we’re back in elementary school again. Just put the dress on and have fun. I’m thinking of hosting a dinner party tomorrow, so you can come and tell me all about it. Don’t worry; I’ll invite Elliot,” she added.
“Fine,” Rebecca sighed. It seemed like forever since she’d had a relaxing meal in her own home. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Once she was in her bedroom closet, she looked at the dress appraisingly. It had been the first item of clothing that she’d let Cassie pick out for her. She smiled to herself as she put it on. It felt good to be dressing up for someone who cared what she looked like. Well, Aaron had cared in his own twisted way, she supposed, but it was hardly the same thing.
She was brushing her hair when she heard Elliot’s voice downstairs. “Rebecca? Are you home?”
She glanced at the clock and groaned to herself. Trust Elliot to arrive ten minutes early. “I’m upstairs,” she called back. “Come on up; I’m almost ready.”
“You know, you really shouldn’t leave your front door unlocked like that,” he told her as he climbed the stairs. “You never know who could come in and…” She waited for him to continue, and when there was no sound, she poked her head out of the bedroom.
Elliot was standing in the middle of her library, looking around with a bemused expression. “…You weren’t kidding when you said you wanted to move into Locke’s library,” he said softly.
She stood there for a minute, framed in the doorway, and stared at him. For the first time that day, she was glad she’d listened to Cassie’s advice. Elliot was dressed in a white shirt, open at the collar, and a navy jacket. His hair was a little mussed from the wind, and Rebecca couldn’t believe she’d actually found Aaron handsome. He’s got nothing on Elliot, she noted. I must have been blind. Or delusional. Or maybe a little of both.
Elliot froze when he saw her gazing at him. Her hairbrush was still in her hand, and her feet were bare, but otherwise she was ready to leave. He stared back at her, a strange expression on his face. “You look amazing,” he said finally, taking a hesitant step toward her. He reached out as if he wanted to touch her. Rebecca smiled at him. He was holding a red rose, which he seemed to have forgotten. She walked toward him and stopped when they were close enough for his outstretched hand to finger her hair.
“Is that for me?” she asked quietly.
Her voice seemed to snap Elliot out of a dream, and he cleared his throat nervously. His eyes were worried when he spoke. “I’m afraid we have a change of plans,” he said, looking away. “I was getting in my car to come here when Locke pulled up. He said he’d been driving all day; something about a girl and Ed Debevics, of all things. He asked me to go to the restaurant with him, and I didn’t have the heart to say no. He doesn’t know we were doing anything special,” he added in a rush.
Rebecca grinned. She couldn’t help herself. “I take it he wants to see Melissa.”
Some of Elliot’s anxiety seemed to disappear when she smiled. “Who’s Melissa? He’s been strangely tight-lipped since he got back from his first trip here.”
Elliot looked at her speculatively. “I’m surprised he’s willing to date at all.”
Rebecca laughed and followed him down the stairs. “I’ll put that in a vase before we go,” she said. “And at one point you seemed to find it very logical that Locke would be dating me.”
Elliot halted at the bottom of the stairs. Rebecca was still a few steps above him, and when he turned around, they were eye-to-eye. “That was a stupid thing to think,” he said seriously. “Especially when he knows how things were between us.”
“I seem to remember him saying something very similar.” Rebecca was having a hard time thinking straight. Maybe it’s a good thing Locke’s coming, she thought hazily. That way I’ll have to concentrate on what I’m saying.
Smiling slightly, Elliot reached out and touched her cheek. “I’m glad. I’d hate to have to fight my best friend.”
The sound of a horn blaring outside made them both jump, and Elliot let his hand drop to his side. “Melissa must be some girl,” he commented as he strode into the kitchen and opened the cabinet above the refrigerator. “He’s not usually this impatient.”
Rebecca took the vase from him and filled it with water. “Cut him some slack,” she scolded. “I’m betting he didn’t tell her he was coming, and he’s probably nervous. How did you know I keep the vases up there?”
He gave her a funny look. “Isn’t that where you kept them in the old house? I thought you said you hadn’t changed that much.” Rebecca shook her head and laughed. “Let’s get going.” He held out his hand for her, and after only a slight hesitation she took it. His eyes crinkled with his sudden grin, and he pulled her behind him and out the door.
Locke took one look at them crossing the street hand in hand and jumped out of the car to hug them both. “It seems I was interrupting more than just a dinner between friends,” he said, looking at Rebecca closely. “You look lovely tonight. I’m sorry; Elliot told me you wouldn’t mind the change in plans.”
Rebecca glanced at Elliot out of the corner of her eye. He was wearing a long-suffering expression. “If it’s okay with him, it’s okay with me,” she said lightly. “He was the one doing all the cooking.”
Locke started and clapped his friend on the back. “You cooked for her? Man, I am so sorry. Let’s go back to your place; I’ll make myself scarce until tomorrow.”
“Get in the back seat, Locke.” Elliot held the door for Rebecca, closing it carefully behind her.
Resting his head on the back of the front seat, Locke stared sorrowfully out of the front seat. “He really did say it was no big deal,” he said. “I guess I was too excited to be here again that I didn’t notice the flower and the jacket. Are you two official yet?”
Rebecca shrugged, then smiled at Elliot when he got in the car. “Don’t ask me,” she told him. “I’m not sure of much these days.”
Locke was quiet all the way into the city, whether from nerves or guilt, Rebecca didn’t know. When they walked up to the restaurant, she put her arm around his waist, Elliot trailing behind them. “Are you scared?” she whispered.
Startled, he looked down at her. “Yes. I didn’t bother to tell her I was coming. For all I know she doesn’t even remember who I am.”
She resisted the urge to laugh. “I thought you’d exchanged email addresses before you went back to Michigan. Haven’t you talked to her at all since then?”
“Well, yeah, but–”
“I think you’re making this a lot harder than it needs to be. Walk in there and tell her you’re happy to see her. Then, if you want, Elliot and I will conveniently fade into the background until you’re ready to leave.”
He smiled down at her. “You’re a fine one to talk. Look how long it took you to admit that you were in love with my best friend. But you’re right; this isn’t rocket science here. Where would I be without you?”
“You’d be unchaperoned. Now go before you lose your nerve.” She pushed him forward playfully and he stumbled a little as he walked slowly to the entrance.
She stood still and watched him go, feeling Elliot come up behind her. He put his hands on her shoulders and gazed through the windows of the restaurant with her. “I’m sorry to drag you all the way out here,” he said after a long pause. “I probably should have rescheduled for tomorrow, but...”
“Don’t worry,” she said, leaning back slightly. “I’m busy tomorrow, anyway.”
His body tensed behind her. “Do you have any big plans?”
Rebecca tilted her head back to look at him. “I’m having dinner at Cassie’s,” she told him. “You’re invited, too. Didn’t she call to tell you about it?”
Elliot blinked down at her for a second. “She might have. I didn’t really have time to check my messages this afternoon.”
“Don’t tell me you had a cooking emergency.”
A slightly guilty look on his face was the only answer she received. She laughed a little and shook her head. “I guess I should be grateful for Locke, then,” she teased him. “I didn’t really want to spend the night in the hospital having my stomach pumped.”
“Very funny,” he muttered.
Locke ran up to them, grinning. “I take it that it’s safe for us to disappear,” Rebecca said. “Text me when you’re ready to go.”
He bent down to kiss her on the cheek, laughing at Elliot’s scowl. “I owe you one,” he told her. “Did you ever get the paint for your apartment? I can be over this weekend, paintbrush in hand.”
“You’re on. Now, go and enjoy yourself. We’ll be fine.”
They watched him go back inside, and after a second, Elliot looked around. “What do you want to do while we wait for him? I suppose we could just get another table, if you want.” He didn’t sound particularly enthusiastic.
Rebecca shrugged. “I’m not really that hungry,” she confessed. “Besides dinner with Locke, I haven’t been in this part of the city in years. Do you mind if we walk around for a while? I feel like I’ve been cooped up in a library or a car for way too long.”
Without a word he took her hand again and they started walking. They went quite a ways without saying anything. Rebecca was content to let her mind wander, wondering idly what kind of emergency Elliot had faced in his kitchen and what he’d done to repair it. She suspected a take-out menu had been involved somehow.
Elliot was the first to break the silence. “I have a question for you,” he said nonchalantly. “I’ve been thinking about Sharpe, and can’t figure out how someone as intelligent as you could manage to get caught in something that serious.”
Rebecca looked at him surreptitiously. He was studying the sidewalk in front of them. “I’ll answer if you’ll tell me how you got stuck with Nicole,” she countered.
Elliot sighed. “I guess that’s only fair.”
She smiled at his resigned manner. “I’m sure this sounds shallow, but I was initially drawn by Aaron’s charm,” she confessed. “He seemed so sweet, helping me with the tire that first time. Of course, you were the one that noticed I was bleeding, so I probably should have figured that he wasn’t as good as he looked. Then, when I got back to Chicago, he was there to rescue me again and I agreed to go out with him to show my gratitude.”
“What do you mean, he saved you again?” Elliot’s voice was sharp.
“I had another flat tire, this time on the freeway on my first day of work. I thought it was awfully coincidental that he came along just when I needed help, but I was in a hurry and worried that I’d get in trouble before I ever set foot in the library.”
Elliot snorted. “I take it that wasn’t just a coincidence, then.”
“No, he told me Saturday that he’d helped the tire along and then followed me. I think he has a flair for the impressive; if he’d wanted to ask me out it would
have been a lot simpler to just call. I know he had my number. One thing led to another, and we went out a few more times. He kind of gave me the creeps after a while, though. He didn’t ever do anything,” she said hastily when Elliot made an angry noise, “and by the time I realized what a slime he was, I’d already agreed to go to the House of Blues with him.”
“Let me guess. You figured it out when we were at Jaime’s, didn’t you?”
“That was when I started to,” she admitted, “but I didn’t put it all together until ten minutes before he showed up on my doorstep. You know the rest.”
Elliot ran his hand through his hair, making it stand up in little tufts. “You don’t know what I was thinking that weekend,” he said after a long pause. “I’d convinced myself that you were madly in love with him and that you never wanted to see me again. Then I read the article in the paper saying that he’d been arrested and I panicked.” His grip around her hand tightened.
They walked like that for a few more blocks before Rebecca tugged on his hand. “Your turn,” she reminded him. “What were you thinking, dating Nicole?”
“I wasn’t dating Nicole.” His response was automatic.
Rebecca pulled her hand out of his and placed it in her pocket. If he was going to be obtuse and refuse to be honest with her, he could walk by himself.
“I wasn’t! At least, not at the end. I met her when I first moved in, before I knew your sister was my next-door neighbor, and it seemed like an innocent flirtation. Then I saw you hugging Michael and...”
“And what?”
Rubbing the back of his neck, Elliot stared straight ahead. “And things got a little out of control. It was flattering, at least at first that she wanted to be around me. Then later, I went along with it to prove to myself that I’d moved on. It was stupid, I know. And part of me wanted to show you that other people found me marriageable.”
Rebecca opened her mouth to tell him that she’d never doubted that, but closed it again. “Well, it worked,” she said finally. “I was sure the two of you were engaged when Michael called. And your column didn’t help matters any.”
The Ex's Confession Page 34