Page 69 of Tangled Hearts

She shrugs. “I can’t if it’s true. We can’t help that you don’t know how to act.”

Liam looks at Eli. “I really am sorry.”

I give Eli’s hand a gentle squeeze and let go of him. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

Molly taps the table. “Okay, so let’s… talk about something else. The fundraiser is coming up soon, right? Is there anything I should know about?”

Eli laughs, and Liam finally relaxes. “Yeah, someone donated a spa day, and it’s all mine.”

“Oh, that was my mom,” Liam says, grinning.

Eli gasps. “You’re joking. Dad wouldn’t tell me. What the—”

“I’m not single. I’m with Eli,” I blurt out, cutting Eli off and surprising even myself. The conversation around the table dies off into nothing as Eli gasps.

Liam opens and closes his mouth a few times before he finally manages to say, “Well, now I feel even worse.”

Eli is quiet. Too quiet, really, considering he seems to always have something to say. Molly nods slowly. “Yeah, I kind of figured.”

My heart’s pounding, inching its way up my throat and threatening to choke me when Eli clears his throat. “I thought we were supposed to keep it a secret?”

We were. Weare.But… I reach out, gripping Eli’s thigh firmly in my hand. “We are, but I’m sure Molly and Liam will keep it quiet for now.”

“Of course,” Molly says smoothly, nodding along asshe speaks.

I glance at Liam in time to see him swallow. “We definitely will. I really am sorry.”

“It’s okay.” I offer him a smile, then squeeze Eli’s leg. “I know you didn’t mean any harm.”

Eli’s hand covers mine under the table, and he gives my fingers a little squeeze. With a small sigh, he dives back into conversation with the two of them.

I sit back in my seat and listen to them talk, but really, I’m just watching Eli. He’s so animated. So happy. The spark in his eyes is perfection, and I can’t help but feel like it’s there because his friends know. Because I didn’t hide him. My heart swells at the sight of his joy. He put on the barest hint of makeup today, a little bit of highlighter and his winged liner. I’m not sure how he does it so well, but it’s perfect. I watched him apply it this morning and was actually impressed by how easily he put it on.

“Nic?”

“Huh?” I ask, snapping back to reality.

Eli gives me a curious look. “I asked if you were ready to go.”

“Yeah, if you are.”

We both stand, and after Eli says his goodbyes, we wave at Mia and walk out the front door together. Molly and Liam are right behind us, and when we get to the front of the Jeep, Molly yells Eli’s name. “Hey, don’t disappear on us again.”

“I won’t. Sorry about that,” he calls back.

I climb in the Jeep after I help him up, and as soon as we hit the highway, I grab his hand. He smiles, but it only lasts for a second. “I’m sorry for acting like a brat. I’m sure that’s like—”

“I’d be the same way,” I say, cutting him off. “You don’t have any reason to be jealous. Trust me. I know what it looks like whenyour friend is trying to be sneaky behind your back.” Well, I do now, anyway. “Liam really didn’t mean any harm.”

He groans. “I know, but it just drives me crazy. Because he’s just openly hitting on you. Thank you for telling them. I—I know I don’t have any claim on you, but…” I laugh out loud at that, and he shoots me a look. “What?”

“You haveallthe claim on me, Eli. As far as I’m concerned, there’s not a man on this earth but you. So be as possessive and jealous as you want. As long as you know that I only want you. God knows I don’t want anyone else flirting with you.”

“Really?” he asks after a beat of silence. “You’re serious?”

“Uh, yes.” I glance at him. “You’re mine, doll. Even if you and I are the only ones who know it, it doesn’t change anything. You’re still fucking mine.”

The words come out a little harsher than I mean for them to, but Eli draws in a shaky breath, glancing at me with flushed cheeks and blown pupils. “I like that.”