I let out a small laugh. I wanted so badly to tell her after a kiss like that, it sure as fuck was her business. I had to remember slow…..slow and steady. Last thing I wanted to do was spook her.

I jumped out of the truck and went into the store.

“Hello may I help you?” The short blonde working behind the counter quickly came out and was practically falling all over me. Maybe it was a good thing Ellie didn’t come in.

“Hi, I um, I called in earlier this morning about a silver daisy charm that y’all were going to put on a chain for me. The last name is Mathews.”

The blonde just about jumped for joy. “That was me you talked to this morning! What a wonderful choice. Daisies are my absolute favorite flower. We did indeed have the size of chain you requested and have it all ready for you. Let me show you.”

I followed her over to the other counter. She went in the back and came out holding a small jewelry box. After she handed it to me she leaned against the counter and waited for me to open it. I knew what she was doing but I was not about to look up. She already had on a low cut shirt and I’m sure she was doing her best to show her assets off.

No thanks.

“Would you like this gift wrapped? Is this for your mother or your sister?” Nice one but two can play at this game.

“Neither, it is for someone very special. She’s having a big day tomorrow.” I looked up to see the smile on her face fade. For about two seconds I felt kind of bad.

“Um, not be rude but I think I’ll just take it without the gift wrap. I’m in a bit of a hurry.” I said as I looked back out towards the parking lot. I could see Ellie sitting in the truck still and it looked like she was on her phone.

I paid, got the necklace and headed out. Ellie was still on the phone when I got back in the truck. I slid the box up under my seat and she didn’t even notice she was so deep in conversation with Jeff.

“I’m sorry Jeff; I just didn’t want to bother you with all of that. I know, I know all the things she said was just nothing but bullshit. Listen, Gunner just got back in the car and we’re not far from Ari’s house so I’ll talk to you in a few minutes okay? Jefferson…..please be nice to Ari. Thanks.”

I had to let out a laugh. “So how long has Ari liked Jeff?” I asked Ellie as she slipped her phone into her back pocket.

“WHAT?” Ellie asked stunned. “What do you mean? What makes you think she likes Jefferson?”

I just looked at Ellie with a “REALLY?” look on my face.

“Well, for starters I see the way she looks at him. She can’t take her eyes off of him. Then there is the fact that when she is around him she is a nervous Nelly and talks non stop.”

Ellie let out a sigh as her head fell back against the seat. “Ari has had a crush on Jefferson since I can remember. She acts like she can’t stand him but I know better. I think it’s her way of dealing with how he treats her. The last few years have been hard for me. I feel like I’m in the middle. Ari keeps falling harder for Jefferson and Jefferson, well he keeps growing more and more annoyed with Ari. He literally acts like he cannot stomach to be in the same room as her. I’m not even sure why? He use to get along with her great then something happened. I thought maybe he might have had a thing for her but when I asked him he blew me off about it.” Ellie said with a shrug. “I just hope they have not killed each other by the time we get there.”

“Ellie I think you are wrong about how Jeff feels. I really think he likes Ari…..A LOT. He’s just afraid to admit it to himself. I’m not sure why but I think he feels like she is too young. The way he acts when he has been around her these last two days is just….well it’s just weird to me.  He also cannot keep his eyes off of her.”

Ellie looked deep in thought and shrugged her shoulders. I followed Siri’s directions to Ari’s house. She didn’t live to far from Jeff and Ellie’s house.

“You really think Jefferson thinks Ari is too young and that is why he is denying his feeling for her? Do you think I’m too young?” Ellie asked me. I looked over and she was batting those beautiful long eye lashes at me. I let out a laugh.

“No, I don’t think you’re too young. If I had I never would’ve kissed you!” I said as I took her hand in mine.

Ellie smiled a small smile at me. Then she said what I never ever wanted to come from her mouth.

“Gunner, I need to talk to you about that kiss.”

FUCK! I knew I pushed her too soon.

“Do you regret kissing me Ellie, because I don’t regret kissing you sweetheart, not one bit.”

“NO! God NO! It was one of the most amazing moments of my life. I will never forget that kiss for as long as I live. Of course I don’t regret it. I’m just…..you see…..well. I guess what I’m trying to say is I’m not looking to get into a relationship right now. I mean….I really like you Gunner….a lot. But I think I need to just take it slow. I hope that you understand why I need time. With all the shit I just went through with Ryan and now my mom. I just need some time for me to figure out who I am.”

I looked over at her and she almost looked like she was going to cry. She had just gotten to where she was happy again, so I was not about to get her upset. Fuck it, if she needed time I would give her all the time she needed. I. Was. Not. Giving. Up. On. Her.

Ever.

“Ellie of course I understand. I’m sorry if I pushed you into moving too fast. I really am sweetheart. Please know I would never want to rush you into something you weren’t ready for.” I gave her the best smile I could muster even though inside I was starting to die a slow painful death.

“So we can be…..friends?” Ellie asked as a blush started to creep up her face.

“Yes, Ellie we most certainly can be friends.” Fuck, I really hope I don’t throw up.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

E llie …….

I hope I was not making a mistake by talking to Gunner about taking things slow. I saw the disappointment in his eyes when I said I wanted to just be friends. God that was the hardest thing I have ever had to say. I have no doubt that Gunner had feelings for me. I certainly had feelings for him. Strong feelings that were starting to scare the shit out of me.

This is for the best; I just need to keep reminding myself this. I need time to think and this is moving too fast. These feelings….they are confusing me. I mean I’m going to be going to college now. I have to keep my options open right? I don’t need to be jumping into another relationship the day after I just ended one.

Gunner reached down and turned up his iPod a little more. Taylor Swift’s Fearless was playing. I had to smile. That song describes exactly how I felt today being with Gunner. I looked over at him and he seemed lost in thought.

Shit…I really hope I didn’t just blow it with him. God if he only knew the way he made me feel. How all I wanted to do was jump into his arms and stay there forever.

How did he feel about me? I mean that kiss…..holy shit…..that kiss. It was amazing but I still had this nagging feeling I was just a girl for him to conquer.

Gunner started to talk and pulled me out of my daze. I shook my head to clear my thoughts. I was doing the right thing.

“Holy shit…..this is where Ari lives?!” Gunner said as he pulled up the Ari’s parent’s 5,500 square foot house. He parked in the front of the house and jumped out of his truck.

“What the hell do her parents do?” Gunner asked as he opened my door to let me out. I quickly learned this is something he just did and if I got out first he seemed upset by it so now I just waited for him.

“Her dad is a big time lawyer and her mom is a stay at home mom. You will love them though! They are really cool. Ari’s mom is a HUGE Katharine Hepburn fan. She’s made us watch all of her movies. Her dad loves football and will LOVE you just like he does Jefferson. Don’t be surprised if he knows all your stats. He went to UT and is a HUGE UT football fan.” I said as Gunner got the bags out of the back seat of his truck.