Page 120 of Love Unwritten
I lose the ability to form a coherent sentence. I knew was Nico smart, but I didn’t think he could make these kinds of observations at his age.
It’s not like you did a good job of hiding it.
I’ve had a hard time keeping my eyes off Ellie tonight ever since she walked out of her room wearing another dress, this time in a shade of teal that brings out the shades of green in her hazel eyes. Finding a flower to match it was nearly impossible, although I tried my best to match the pink one Nico chose for her hair.
My self-control was put to the test during our night attending a traditional Hawaiian luau and tearing my gaze away from her has been a difficult task. When Ellie volunteered to dance amongst the hula dancers a little while ago, I couldn’t stop staring, not even after she caught me twice.
Nico lowers his voice as he says, “It’s okay if you like her. I can share.”
“How generous of you,” I deadpan.
“Do you want me to ask her if she likes you too?”
“Nicolas—”
“I got drinks!” Ellie announces.
“Finally,” I grunt.
My nine-year-old son winks, although it looks more like a twitch. To think that all this time, I was concerned about my aunt being the matchmaker when I should have been taking note of my son.
Nico tips his head back. “Ellie?”
I hand him a glass full of his favorite fruit drink as of five days ago—Hawaiian Sun Pass-O-Guava. “Here. You should drink this.”
“In a minute.” He pushes the tall cup aside. “I’ve got a question.”
“Look, Nico. Why don’t you go check out that chicken over there?”
Ellie shoots me a strange look. “You want him to go hang out with wild chickens?”
I bite back a groan.
“Do you like my dad?” Nico asks in a singsong voice. “Because he likes you.”
Ellie’s eyes collide with mine. “He said that?”
Nico lets out a puff. “Well, no, but he said you’re pretty.”
Her cheeks flush. “He’s never said anything to me.”
“He’s shy.” Nico fails to keep his voice at a whisper.
“Not true,” I say.
“Just a coward then?” Ellie’s eyes spark with quiet challenge.
If she wants me to call her pretty, then I’ll do just that, but later, when my son isn’t present to hear what else I have to say.
After dinner, I drive us out to a lookout spot the resort manager recommended for watching the sunset, since it is our last night in Oahu. Nico loved the idea, only to fall asleep after a few rounds of “I spy.” Ellie and I spend the remainder of the ride listening to the soft crooning of Frankie Estelle, one of Nico’s and her favorite artists.
I park the Jeep in the small dirt lot and hang out near the trunk while Ellie grabs a notebook from her purse and heads to an empty bench facing the sky, streaked with ribbons of orange and pink. Waves crash against the rocks below, creating a soothing soundtrack to listen to while I sift through my thoughts.
My mind and body are at war with one another, with my head warning me away from getting close to Ellie, while my hands itch to hold her and never let go. It’s a battle, wanting someone to the point of pain yet knowing it can’t happen for a multitude of reasons.
She wants to find the one, and I’m not him.
“While I’m flattered you want to stare at me, you’re missing the whole point of us driving out here.” She turns to look at me with an arched brow.