Page 35 of Seduction

“Deco Town… first stop.”

“Okay. Here we go.”

***

This little shopping trip is not what I thought it would be. I never knew there were so many types of party decorations and favors and invitations. All types of shit in every. Single. Color. And that was just one store.

Despite all that, I’m having a good time. It’s refreshing seeing Ellen so happy and passionate. That’s the best part of all this. She’s so animated. The event she’s planning is a child’s birthday party, which she says is her favorite because there are so many possibilities. After the fourth store, I slow her down so we can have lunch, taking her to one of my favorite places—Golden Gloves Bar-B-Q. They serve the best ribs I’ve ever tasted. The place is owned by Lloyd “Lightning” March. He went to high school with me and Gage, but he also won the National Golden Gloves competition a few years back. He was going to go pro but suffered an injury, so he ended up taking over this place from his grandfather.

The hostess shows us to a booth, leaving us to look over the menu.

“What’s good here?” Ellen asks.

“Everything. You can’t go wrong with the ribs, though.”

“Okay. You wanna share the bucket with the fries, then?”

“Sure.”

I order when the waitress returns, then watch Ellen as she sways to the country music playing and taps her nails on the table. Her blue eyes twinkle when she catches me. Leaning forward with a smile, she sings a line from the song playing. I wish I could keep that smile on her face. It’s one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Dr. Einstein!”

Looking up, I see Lloyd approaching our table, a grin on his face. I slide out of the booth, extending my hand. He grabs it, turning it into a slap-and-grip handshake.

“’Sup, champ?”

“Ain’t nothin’, man. Haven’t seen you in a minute.”

“Yeah. Work’s been crazy.”

“I hear ya.” He nods to Ellen. “Who’s this?”

“Ellen, this is Lloyd. He owns the place. Lloyd, Ellen… Gage’s little sister.”

Standing, Ellen reaches out to take Lloyd’s hand.

“Are you serious?” he asks, his gaze shifting between me and Ellen. “Bro, she ain’t little no more.” I shift uncomfortably as his eyes wander over her body. “You grew up, baby girl. Looks like I need to visit Stony View more often.”

Ellen glances at me, showing the same discomfort I feel. I’m trying not to get angry because Lloyd has no idea what’s going on. However, he needs to back the fuck off. I clear my throat, and when he looks my way, I shake my head firmly.

“Wait… are you twotogether?”

“Yes,” I answer.

“Sorry, man.” He takes a step back.

“It’s cool. You didn’t know.”

Ellen takes her seat once more as Lloyd and I finish our conversation, with him promising to visit. I slide back into my seat just as the waitress brings our drinks.

“Well, that was weird,” Ellen says.

“Why? You should be used to guys hitting on you.”

“Not so much lately. Sometimes I feel like I’m invisible.”

Reaching across the table, I take her hand. “I see you.”