Page 29 of All This Time

Elliot studies him, confused. “Yes. Why wouldn’t we? You’re in the wedding and he was my coach—our coach—for years.”

The clench in Fletcher’s jaw tells me all I need to know about how he feels about it. “Well, yeah. I mean, it makes sense.” He rubs the back of his neck as his eyes find the floor.

“Is there something I should know about?” Elliot prods, but I interject before Fletcher feels like he has to.

“Nope. We’ve got this. I promise, the day will be perfect.” Smiling over at Tori, I place my hand on top of hers.

She lets out a dramatic sigh. “I can’t tell you how much easier this will be for me, knowing I don’t have to worry about this stuff.” When her phone chimes on the table, she lifts it and then stands from her chair. “Sorry, I need to take this. It’s my boss.”

Tori heads for the door as Elliot watches her. “He’s always calling her. I told her she’d better put her phone on silent when we’re on our honeymoon.”

“I’m sure you’ll both be able to disconnect once you get away.”

Elliot pushes a hand through his hair. “Let’s hope so—because my mother is already threatening to call and make sure we’re working on a grandbaby on our trip.”

“And that’s my cue to leave,” I say as I stand from my chair. “If that’s all you needed to talk to me about, then I’m going to head home.” As I gather the papers in front of me, and move to stand, Fletcher reaches out and puts his hand on my forearm.

“Leaving so soon? What about the movie?”

I pull my arm away and grab the bags and M&M’s, placing them back in the box to carry out to my car. “I have work to do and plenty of errands to run tomorrow.”

Elliot points to the door of the office. “I’m gonna go check on Tori. See you two out there?”

“Yup. Be there in a minute,” Fletcher replies as he stands, the screech of his chair echoing in the room. “Well, before you leave, let me get your number.”

“Why?”

He looks at me as if I’m certifiable, but there’s a hint of a smile on his lips. “So we can communicate.” He pulls his phone from his pocket and waves it in front of my face. “These are called cell phones, Laney. It’s how people keep in touch in the modern age.”

I give him a deadpan stare before I rattle off my number and he programs it into his phone. My phone starts to vibrate in my pocket a few seconds later.

“That was me. Now you have mine too.” Fletcher shoves his phone back in his pocket.

“Awesome.” I lift the box and turn for the door, but Fletcher stops me.

“Let me take that to your car for you.” Without asking, he takes the box from my arms and opens the door to the office, allowing me to walk out first.

“That’s really unnecessary.” I pull the door shut and lock it before turning to face him.

“Doesn’t matter. I’m here to serve. Now, lead me to your car,angel.”

My entire body ignites with a live wire of intense emotion from hearing that nickname, and I’m afraid nothing could have prepared me for what that would feel like again.

Does Fletcher even realize he said it? Was it intentional, or just a slip of the tongue?

When we arrive at my car, I pop the trunk open and gesture for Fletcher to place the box inside. After shutting the trunk, I turn to face him once more. “Thank you, I guess.”

He chuckles. “Wow. That sounded like it hurt to say.”

“To be honest, it kind of did.”

With that infamous smirk still on his lips, he says, “Man, it’s good to see you, Laney.”

His words make my heart pound harder because there was once a time when I felt that way about him too.

“I, uh…need to get going.” I reach to open my car door, but Fletcher beats me to it, holding it open until I’m fully inside. “Thanks.”

He leans forward, resting his forearms on the top of the door, smiling down at me. “Be careful, Laney. That was two thank-yous you just gave me.”