Page 34 of Not So Very Sensible

She had a strong feeling she’d be waiting a very long time.

Katie glared at Ellie. “I can’t believe you embarrassed me like that. Actually, I can. You’re just jealous.”

“Of you and Jason? Please.”

“Not everyone is as cold as you, Ellie, and so focused only on work that you never date.”

Ellie smashed her lips together to keep the protest inside. She would date if she met someone she considered datable. And here, tonight, she had.

Oh, she hoped Ethan hadn’t heard that. Far from just embarrassing Katie, this episode had turned ugly for her too, and she had no desire to make it any worse.

They crossed the grand foyer and into the dim lounge area with the last of the flames flickering in the fireplace.

She glanced at Ethan again. “I’m sorry.”

He shook his head. “I might leave you two to it.”

“Good idea,” Katie snapped. “Nobody wants you here anyway.”

Sorry, Ellie mouthed again, as weariness stole across her. “I should say good night.”

He studied her. “I certainly didn’t mean to cause any problems.”

“You didn’t. And I didn’t mean for a great evening to end this way.”

“Hey, not your fault.”

She couldn’t look at him, too conscious of Katie’s intense perusal and the fact that Jason might appear again at any moment. “I should go.”

“Well, um, thanks for keeping me company.”

She shrugged. What could she say that wouldn’t sound lame or trite or pathetic? “I should go. I’ll send you those designs soon.”

“Designs?”

“For your youth group social media? Unless you don’t want them.”

“Oh. Uh, sure. Thanks.”

That didn’t sound like he did. Looked like today was a bust on lots of levels. Hurt creased her chest. She couldn’t pretend she was okay. “Well, I’d better go. Thanks again.”

“It was good to meet you, Ellie.”

“You too.” She dared peek up at him at last, but a loud sigh from her sister drew her attention that way. “Sorry, gotta go.”

He nodded, then paused at the bottom of the steps as they progressed up the staircase. Ellie paused and looked behind her. Made a “Call me” gesture with her hand.

But he’d already turned away.

“Not everyone is as cold as you, Ellie, and so focused only on work that you never date.”

Was that true? Or was it just part of Katie’s pique and a poisonous strike at Ellie to redeem her pride? But it was hard to know, as Ellie’s own behaviour had cooled again as soon as they’d been caught in that near kiss.

What was she doing talking about designs when he wanted to talk about so much more important things? At least he could message her on Insta. But still, why not give him her phone number? Following someone on Instagram was barely giving him hope for a future.

Humiliation rolled through Ethan as he second-guessed all that had occurred. Far from being assured of her interest after their near kiss, now it seemed she was as embarrassed about that as she had been to see her sister engaged so enthusiastically with Jason Willoughby. So, was Katie’s accusation pique or truth?

How he wished he knew. Ellie had scarcely given him a moment’s encouragement since.