Eli smirked then. “Yeah, she is. I owe him a great deal of gratitude for relieving me of her.”
I frowned, annoyed with his reply. I’d used that one on him in my head about five times tonight while sitting watching the movie and imagining a confrontation like this one. Eli would look embarrassed and apologize. I wouldn’t forgive him. He was messing up my scenario. He shouldn’t be happy his date dumped him.
“You wanted your date to leave you for another man?” I asked him incredulously. That was doubtful.
He nodded slowly. “Have you ever spent a few minutes in Saffron’s company?” he shot back at me.
I hadn’t. Not really. I shook my head.
“You’d understand if you had.”
That confused me which only added to more confusion he’d left in his wake since last I’d seen him. All Eli Hardy seemed to do was confuse me. About everything. I didn’t like being confused. I wish I didn’t like him. Damn him.
“Why did you bring her if she annoys you?” I wanted something to make sense.
He ran a hand through his hair looking exasperated. “Because she knew I had an invite and begged me. She wanted to meet Blaze. She was annoying the fuck out of me about it. I gave in,” he said this with no emotion then added, “Can you tell me why you ignored me all night?”
He’d brought Saffron to meet Blaze. That took some wind out of my sails. At least with my explanation. Sure, he hadn’t called me or texted, but I had ultimately been angry because I’d been jealous that he was here with her. I would have been pissed if he’d been here with anyone.
“You had forgotten me. I simply reacted in turn,” I admitted. It was vulnerable of me and if he hadn’t told me why he’d brought Saffron, I may not have given him the truth. But the explanation came out before I could think it through. I might have sounded less petty if I had been less blunt.
“You think I forgot you existed?” he asked, his brows drawn together in disbelief.
“What else was I supposed to think?” I wanted to say more. Remind him he hadn’t called or texted. But I had a little pride left. I was holding onto that. I wasn’t going to spell it out for him.
“When I left, you seemed fine with us leaving things like that. You didn’t act like you expected more. Was I wrong?” he asked me.
Was he wrong? That was his concern? Really? This man could not be that dense. I was also done talking to him about this. If he was going to be dumb then so be it.
“No, Eli. You were right. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I want to get out of here before they all come upstairs.” I didn’t smile. I didn’t say goodbye. I just got the hell out of that building. The head valet knew me and gave a nod to let me know he was having my car brought around.
I thought Eli may join me. When a few minutes went by and the door didn’t open behind me, I knew he wasn’t going to. The sight of my car meant my silent hope he’d try harder was in vain. The man had no clue or he didn’t want to act as if he did. Whatever the reason, I was done.
I tipped the valet then climbed into my car and drove away.
Glad to be gone.
Sad that it was done.
JUNE 07 / 10:39 PM
Eli Hardy
“YOU SURE YOU want me to just drop you off and not wait? Because I know my sister and there is a ninety-nine percent chance you’ll be paying Uber to drive your ass back to Sea Breeze and that won’t be cheap.” Nate sounded serious when he warned me. He’d laughed when I told him to take me to Ophelia’s. Then when he realized I wasn’t joking he seemed more concerned.
“Does Uber even serve this area?” Bliss asked, not sounding as if she was liking the idea of me being dropped off either. “Maybe you should go see if Ophelia will let you in before we leave.”
I didn’t want them to sit out here while I went to the door. I wasn’t so sure Ophelia was going to let me in either, but if they were here to witness this, she may send me packing easier. I’d let her leave earlier without saying more because it was a conversation I wanted to have in private.
We’d had to wait to find out if Saffron needed a ride or not. Bliss and Nate had been ready to leave, but Saffron wasn’t concerned with anyone but herself. It had taken more time than necessary. My concern now was that Ophelia could be asleep. It had taken too damn long to get out of there.