Page 38 of Fun Together (Make Romance #1)

Faye

“I need to tell you something before we go in.”

Eli’s been nervously fidgeting the entire drive from my apartment to the party. I thought maybe it had to do with him being worried about his speech. I offered to help him with it earlier this week, but he said he would “let the inspiration come to him when he’s up there.”

Now I feel uneasy, like something else is wrong. If he’s showing this much discomfort about it, I’m scared it’s something to do with the party itself. “Okay . . .”

We pull into the driveway of his parents’ house, and I notice there are cars everywhere, lined up and down the entire street.

A woman darts out of the house and runs down the front path. “That would be Evie,” Eli says. He seems tired, too. He’s got bags under his eyes like he hasn’t slept well.

My stomach churns. “What do you need to tell me?”

He scratches at his chin—he has a light five o’clock shadow from shaving last night—and turns toward me. “I should have told you sooner, but?—”

He’s interrupted by persistent tapping on the driver’s side window. Evie motions for Eli to open the door. “Why haven’t you been answering your phone? We have an ice emergency.”

He gives me an apologetic look. “It’s not life or death. I’ll tell you after.”

That doesn’t help matters for me, but I can’t help but go with it. We get out of the car and Eli introduces me to Evie.

She has a bubbly way about her that I like immediately, and I’m beginning to think Eli’s entire family is attractive. Her light brown hair is perfectly curled, and she’s wearing a simple black tank top tucked into a pair of high-waisted white shorts that highlight her curvy figure.

“I love your dress,” she says. I’m wearing a vintage baby-blue shift dress that Rett and I found while thrifting one Sunday afternoon.

It was one of those magical moments where the perfect clothing item was hanging from an end cap, like it was waiting there for me.

“Anyone ever tell you that you look like Liv Tyler?”

I glance at Eli. “I’ve heard that a time or two.”

“Eli, why didn’t you tell me you were dating Liv Tyler?”

He winks at me. “Because I’m not dating Liv Tyler.”

Eli starts to walk up the driveway, but I pull him back before we go further. “Are you sure everything is okay?”

“I’m sure. I’m sorry to make you worry, but it’s nothing that should get in the way of tonight.”

“Okay,” I say, reaching up to straighten his collar. He’s wearing the shirt he bought when we went shopping. He seems a little more relaxed now that we’re here, except he’s got the shirt buttoned all the way up.

“Hang on.” I undo the top button of the shirt and my knuckles graze against his neck.

“Don’t unbutton too much. This is a classy affair, remember? Can’t be showing too much skin.”He grabs my hand. “Come on, this will be fun. I promise.”

So many people are packed into the backyard that I can’t even see where the yard begins and ends.

“Who are all these people?” I ask.

“I think Evie invited every acquaintance my parents have.”

That’s an understatement. No wonder the street was so packed.

Eli spots his parents, and we walk over to them. I met them years ago when Eli and Andrew were moving into the apartment they shared our senior year. I remember his mom being stylish and friendly, and his dad being a bit of a strong, silent type. I’m not sure if they even remember me.

Patti pulls Eli in for a hug and then does the same for me. “Good to see you again Faye, I hope you like hugs,” she says.

I smile at her and it’s easy to see where Eli gets his charm from. “I’m not opposed to them.”

Eli’s dad holds his hand out and I return his very solid shake. “Good to see you, Faye.”

“Eli, introduce Faye to everyone,” his mom says.

“Everyone, this is my friend Faye,” he shouts out to everybody in the vicinity. It was so loud I think I’ve now been introduced to the entire neighborhood. They all shout their hellos and nice to meet yous .

I wave awkwardly. “Hi, nice to meet you all.”

“I’m so happy you could come.” She turns to give Eli a side squeeze. “Eli was so excited when he told me you were coming with him.”

I wipe my palms on my dress, nervous at the attention. “Thank you so much. Is there anything I can help with?” I ask.

“Let’s go see if the kids need help with the shrimp. We’re doing a big seafood boil, and could probably use all the hands we can get.”

We go inside and Eli immediately grabs an apron with a cat on it that says, Hiss at the Cook .

Emmett is already preparing the shrimp, and Eli doesn’t hesitate to start helping.

“Faye, you remember my brother, Emmett,” he says, gesturing to his left and almost slinging shrimp guts all over the place.

“Hey, watch those hands,” Emmett says as he turns to me. “Good to see you, again.”

“You, too.”

“Wait, you’ve already met her?” Evie asks, somewhere between a yell and a shriek.

“Yeah, the other night,” Emmett says.

“Not fair. I wanted to meet her first.”

“It’s not a competition,” Eli says with a laugh.

I don’t know if I’m flattered or even more nervous now that everyone in his family seems so eager to meet me. Clearly this night is important to Eli and I’m curious about what has Eli told them about me. About us.

Florence comes rushing into the kitchen, her poofy green dress twirling around her.

“Flo, no running in the house,” Emmett chides.

“Sorry,” she says. “I’m playing hide and seek with Pebbles.”

“Pebbles is surprisingly good at hide and seek,” Eli says.

“She’d probably like to stay hidden to keep you from trying to ride her like a horse,” Emmett says. “You have to stop doing that.”

She jerks a thumb at Eli. “Eli said she’s my trusty steed!”

Everyone looks at Eli for an explanation as to why he’d allow a child to ride a dog like a horse, but he just shrugs and steals a carrot from the veggie tray. “Sue me for enriching the kid’s imagination.”

Florence pulls at my hand. “Faye, will you help me find her?”

I squat down so that I’m at eye level with her. “Where was the last place you saw her?”

Eli removes his apron and tosses it over a bar stool. “I’ll help too.”

Florence leads us outside to the front porch. “There. By that chair.” She points to one of the white rocking chairs.

Eli slowly marches around the chair and mimics the action of bringing a magnifying glass up to his eye.

Florence giggles. “What are you doing?”

“Looking for clues. Aha!” He points to the corner of the porch. “Paw prints.”

Florence gasps and rushes over to take a look. “Those aren’t paw prints. That’s just dirt.”

Eli smiles over at me. “Guess I need to get my eyes checked.” He looks around some more, continuing the pretend detective game. “Hey, Flo. Maybe she went into the backyard. Go find your grandpa and we’ll meet you there.”

“Good idea!” She jogs around the side of the house, leaving Eli and I on the porch.

He comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. “How are you doing so far?”

I turn my head slightly, feeling the scratch of his stubble against my face. “Surprisingly good.”

He nuzzles my neck. “Surprisingly?”

I shake my head but can’t keep from smiling and leaning into him for a split second before extricating myself. I turn to face him. “I’m a little nervous, but loosening up. How are you?”

He seems confused that I’d ask. “Me? I’m great.”

“Food’s almost ready!” Evie shouts from the side of the house.

“I like this dress, too,” he says, running his hands over my sides before squeezing my waist. “It’s the same color as your eyes.”

I give him a quick kiss. “We should head back.”

Eli places a hand at my back and guides me down the path to the backyard. I feel him messing with the line of bows that run down the back of my dress. “Don’t mess with the bows!”

“I like them. This is like a present I can unwrap later.”

“I’m serious!” I swat his hands away, unable to stop giggling at his playfulness. We’re still laughing together as we round the corner and step through the gate into the backyard.

And the first person I see is Andrew, standing there watching us.