Page 62 of Radar

Elyssa liked how tall he was, how athletic.

She’d traced her finger over his only tattoo that nestled below his ankle. It was a red arrow on a black disk about the size of a quarter. “Achilles heel?” she’d asked, hoping he’d tell her the meaning.

He answered her by saying, “I hope not.” Then he dropped it.

Tattoos were often highly personal, so Elyssa had learned to lead someone to the conversation but not insist on the story behind it. Elyssa didn’t share the meaning of her own tattoo with many people. It was a private commitment not meant for public scrutiny.

Bending over the sink to wash her face, Elyssa was thinking about the bruises on Xander’s torso. “What happened?” she’d whispered. “This looks horrible.” She’d bent and kissed a purple splotch.

“Boxing.” He said it so matter-of-factly that she nodded and dropped that subject, too.

Elyssa unfolded a towel and patted her face and neck dry.

Boxing would explain his physique. Though it wasn’t one of the sports she’d imagined when speculating the night before. Oddly, Elyssa wanted to scold Xander and warn him about the dangers of getting punched in the head too many times. Such a hypocrite, Elyssa scoffed. How many times had her parents taken her to her wrestling matches and later her rugby matches, and there her mom would sit in the stands with her eyes covered whenever Elyssa competed. Her mom wanted to be supportive of whatever Elyssa felt called to try, but the dangers were too much for her mom to handle. Elyssa’s dad would wait until the all-clear, then tap her mom. The dangers passed, her mom would leap to her feet, shaking her fists, and cheering her.

Elyssa felt melancholy wash over her.

She missed her dad. And she wasn’t sure that she’d ever forgive fate for taking him from her when she was so young.

Elyssa needed to call her mom. They hadn’t spoken since Paris.

Was it odd that the thing she wanted to tell her mom—after all her adventures over the last few weeks—was about this guy she’d known for a couple of hours?

What could she even say? Mom, I met a guy with a gorgeous dog, a kind voice, and a condo near the Pentagon. What more could she add than that they had a fun conversation and she’d spent most of their time together having the best sex of her life?

Nope, she’d keep all of that to herself.

When she emerged from the bathroom, Elyssa saw Xander focused on his Henley that she had tucked fashionably into the front of her jeans.

He didn’t say anything about it, but he looked pleased.

And then he looked conflicted. And then—yeah. The reaction was odd.

She was going to remind him that he had her contact info but decided that would sound a bit too needy. He knew he had it. He’d call if he wanted.

She’d respond if she wanted.

Elyssa couldn’t fathom what was going on for him. Last night, he said he was single.

Maybe he lied? It did kind of look like guilt shimmering over his skin.

As she blinked at Xander, standing there in all his glory dressed only in those hiking pants that sat yummily on his hips, she wondered how they would say goodbye.

The timing was off; it already felt awkward. And her heart started racing.

Radar came over and booped her.

“Hey, buddy,” Elyssa said, reaching down to rough his fur. “It was nice meeting you.”

“Elyssa, do you have everything you need?” Xander’s gaze turned worried. “Electrolytes?”

“I’m set.” She adjusted her backpack. And scooped up her purse.

Yeah, super awkward. This vibe was so different than last night's. And she didn’t need to figure it out. She just needed to leave.

Looking out the window as she shoved her feet into her boots, Elyssa said, “My car's here.”

“I’ll walk you,” he said, moving toward his suitcase.