Page 105 of Love Unwritten
I don’t know why our conversation triggered him. Rafael is well aware that I go on dates, so I’m not sure why he would be surprised by the idea of me wanting to get married and start a family.
I can’t shake the feeling that my answers disappointed him somehow, which only adds to the complicated emotions building inside me whenever I think about my boss.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Rafael
I have absolutely no right to feel disappointed by Ellie’s answers to Nico’s questions about marriage and starting a family, but I can’t help it, which both confuses and angers me at the same time.
Despite walking away for a few minutes to gain control over my emotions, I can’t seem to.
I had a good idea about Ellie’s stance on marriage and wanting a family. While she has mostly kept quiet about her personal life, I know she has been actively dating people. I’ve even overheard a few hushed phone conversations that confirmed as much.
I’m the complete opposite of what she wants, and if it wasn’t apparent before, the conversation she had with Nico tonight made it crystal clear.
Ellie wants a husband, a baby, and a future that doesn’t align with mine, so it’s best I come to terms with it now.
My conflicting feelings remain as I return to the table and finish my shave ice without sharing more than ten words. If Ellie notices my mood shift, she doesn’t say anything during the drive back, although she spares me a few glances out of the corner of her eye when she thinks I’m not paying attention.
Despite being focused on the road, my skin always tingles with awareness whenever she does that. Just another unfortunate side effect of being in her proximity, along with my heart rate rising whenever we touch.
It could be for the briefest second, but the power she has over my body and mind is concerning.
Fuck. I need to get this control over myself, not only for her benefit but for mine.
Surprisingly, I wake up before Nico and Ellie the next morning, which may be a first. Instead of checking my work inbox, I spend some time sending my family photos of our trip.
My aunt forgoes texting and calls me instead.
“Hola, Tía.” I sift through my luggage for a swimsuit.
“¿Cómo andas?”
“Bien, ahí vamos. ¿Y tú?”
“Good. Nico seems to be enjoying the trip so far.”
I smile to myself. “Yeah. I’m going to have a hard time getting him to leave.”
¿Cómo andas?: How are you doing?
Bien, ahí vamos. ¿Y tú?: Good. And you?
“Leave that to Ellie. Wherever she goes, that boy will follow.”
My grin dies. “Yeah. Sure.”
“Hm,” she says.
“What?”
“How is everything going with her?”
“Fine.”
“We all know what that means.”
I frown.