Chapter 15

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Liza

What a completely awesome way to end the last few days with Eli. Dinner with his family was not only amazing food-wise; it was fantastic company-wise too. I felt so comfortable, sitting with the four of them, feeling welcome into their family like I'd always been a part of it.

Now, I see why Eli is so laid-back. His family is too.

They aren't pretentious, and besides the mansion they live in, they obviously don't flaunt their money. Heather doesn't have expensive jewelry on, and Ava has on an outfit that I know was bought at Target due to the brand across her shirt.

I met some rich people in the Bay Area back home, and at first meeting, you just knew how wealthy they were because they flaunted it in every aspect of their life like a badge of honor. Eli's family seems very down-to-earth, and it takes away any and all anxiety I had, when I walked through their front door earlier.

"Okay, let's get down to business here." I clap my hands, rubbing them together like I'm getting excited over something. "Where are those baby pictures of Eli?" I turn to Heather. "I know you got some cute ones you are dying to show me."

Heather and David laugh as Eli protests. "Hey now. Eye for an eye. Not fair since I don't get to go to your childhood home and dig up old photos."

I place my hand on my chest. "I was a super-cute baby and will have my mom send me some pictures to show you. So, yes, I get to see the best ones of you."

"The best ones are hanging in the hallway," Heather says, motioning her hand to me. "Follow me."

Eli groans, making his dad laugh. "Get used to it, son. Looks like these two are hitting it off, so no stopping your mom from telling all of the best stories."

Eli and David gather our plates to clear the table while Ava follows us inside. I'm sure she's excited to show off her pictures too.

Through their elaborate entryway that looks right out of a home magazine is a walkway that is filled with pictures.

"This leads to our bedroom back here," Heather says, as if pointing out why she didn't include it in the mini tour she gave me earlier. "I like to see all these pictures as the first thing when I wake up and the last thing before I go to bed."

The proudness in her voice is endearing, and I love hearing just how deeply she feels about her family.

One side of the wide hallway is pictures of Eli, and the other is Ava.

"Obviously, I have room here to build on Ava's side of the wall, so don't pay attention to how hers is half empty now," Heather states.

"I'll fill these walls in no time!" Ava says, bouncing on her toes.

I laugh at her antics before turning to look at Eli's side. It starts with pictures of him as a baby, and as you walk down the hallway, the photos get older and older until we get to what looks like his senior pictures from high school. He hasn't changed a bit since they were taken, and I smile at the way he looks with his letterman jacket.

"Aren't those great photos?" she says, joining me where I'm standing. "They finally came in and went straight to the wall."

"They just—" I start to ask just as Ava grabs my hand, pulling me to her side of the wall and cutting off my train of thought.

"Look at my side!" she says.

"These are my favorite from when I was two." She points to a picture of her and Eli curled up together, watching TV.

It really is the most enduring photo of Ava, wrapped around a younger Eli, obviously having no clue the photo was being taken. I glance up at Eli with my puppy-dog eyes, falling even more in love with him in this raw family moment captured in time.

"He's always been the best with her." Heather holds out her hands, palms facing me to make a point. "Don't get me wrong; there have definitely been times where they wanted to kill each other."

"Like when she goes in my room and goes through my stuff," Eli chimes in, motioning toward Ava in an I'm-going-to-get-you way, making me laugh.

"But most of the time, he's really good to her," Heather finishes her thoughts.

"Okay, that's enough for family photos." Eli tries to cut our time short. "Didn't I hear you bought some dessert too?"

She pats Eli's shoulder as she walks past him. "That I did. Some apple pie, just for you."

Eli raises his eyebrows at me in excitement. "My favorite."

I wrap my arms around his waist, wanting to feel him close to me as we walk back to the kitchen together.

We head back outside with pie and ice cream, where we relax for the rest of the night, enjoying each other's company and laughing at the stories we tell.

As night falls, Eli stands with his hand on my shoulder. "We should get you back to Mason Creek. I have an early flight to catch to Florida tomorrow."

I sigh at the thought of him leaving again, and when my eyes meet with Heather's, I can tell it makes her sad too.

"Summers are hard with him gone so much," she says with a sigh. "As is the life of an athlete though. Always on the road, playing somewhere."

I place my hand over his and stand. "Yep, let's get going." I walk over to Heather and David, who are both standing now. "Thank you so much for having me over."

They both give me a hug, making me feel like I'm a part of their family even though we just met.

"It was so good to finally meet you. You're welcome here anytime," Heather says.

I smile, then turn to Ava, who runs into my arms with a big hug.

"Promise you'll come over again?"

I laugh at how tightly she squeezes me. "I promise."

We wave our final goodbyes and head outside toward Eli's truck. He walks to the passenger side first, opening the door, then stopping short and kissing me.

"It was absolutely killing me, not being able to kiss you these past few hours," he whispers as he pulls back, making me laugh.

"I'm glad you survived," I tease.

"Barely." He kisses me again as he lifts me into the truck.

Once we're on the road, I ask, "How long is this trip?"

He sighs. "Five days."

"And I'll get to watch again?"

He glances my way with a slight tilt to his lips. "Sure will. Through the same app. I'll send you the times once I get them. Do you have any plans for the week?"

"I'm hoping I'll get some interviews. I have a few leads lined up, so we'll see."

I really only have one, but I'm trying to manifest more. With school starting soon, I'm kind of getting to the end of my rope on possibilities of getting my own class, which means I'll have to sub for the year if this doesn't pan out.

"That's awesome! How come you didn't tell me earlier?"

I shrug. "I don't want to jinx anything. I thought I would have to substitute first to get in the school district, but I've heard of some openings, so I made some phone calls."

He reaches for my hand. "I know they'll love everything about you. Don't worry one bit."

I rest my head back against the headrest and grin in his direction. He's so enduring and confident in his words and actions. I just hope he's right. I moved here to work. This summer has been amazing, but I know reality is just around the corner, and I can't freeload off my aunt and uncle forever.