Never Kiss A Stranger

“I really thought Henry wasn’t perfect for you,” Poppi says with a gentle tone. “I figured you’d realize it on your own.”

I sigh. “I feel like my body and brain were hijacked temporarily. I didn’t really know him when he first asked me to marry him.”

Poppi wraps an arm around me. “How did he take it?”

“Said he’d give me time to think.” I shake my head, remembering exactly how Henry took it. “I feel horrible. And well, he’s so drunk right now.”

“Did he drunk dial you?” Lola asks.

“No, not exactly.”

Their quizzical looks are almost comical, the way they both turn their heads, eyebrows raised. “What do you mean?” Lola asks.

“Ellis called. He’s at some bar with Henry.” There’s no way I’m telling them he asked to meet me.

They remain quiet for what feels like an eternity until Poppi finally speaks, “Tell the truth...did you break it off with Henry for Ellis?”

“No.” A big no. “I think I just realized Henry wasn’t the one.” And that’s the truth. Ellis may have sped along the process of helping me realize it, but I know he’s not the reason. Henry and I wouldn’t have been happy if we would have gone through with it.

That answer satisfies them, and that’s the end of the discussion. We eat a ridiculous amount of ice cream and watch chick flick after chick flick. And by the end of the night, I know for sure Henry and I would have never made it. I also know I can’t wait to see Ellis.

Is that so wrong?

* * *

I may have overdressed for this business meeting with Ellis. Or maybe underdressed is a better description. This little blue number held up by spaghetti straps makes my boobs look ten times bigger. I could’ve easily worn jeans and a blouse, but in my defense, this dress has been collecting dust in the back of my closet for ages now.

When I enter Bearded Goat Brewery, I spy something tall, dark, and panty melting—Ellis at the bar. I bet he’s not sweating right now. He’s sitting all calm, cool, and collected. Like he owns the place.

Which, well, I guess he kind of does, sort of.

He called me yesterday morning, telling me to meet him here, and I’ve been a nervous wreck ever since.

I shouldn’t be nervous, though. It’s not like this is a date.

When he spots me, his face breaks out into an incredible smile. Gah, it’s so breathtaking.

“You look...wow,” he breathes out once I’m beside him. His eyes scan over every inch of my body, leaving nothing untouched. “Let’s get out of here.” He waves over his shoulder to the bartender and then places his hand on the small of my back, leading me out of the brewery.

I look up at him. “I thought you wanted to talk about your dog wedding?”

“Yes,” he says. “It’s a little noisy in there.”

Outside, he leads me to the car that destroyed the trellis and opens the door for me.

As I slide in, I’m on high alert for some reason. I almost feel like I’m doing something wrong.

But Henry and I broke up. And you know what else? Once that thought creeps in, it feels normal. Like Henry and I were never really a couple. And now that the dust has settled, it’s like I can see all the reasons we weren’t meant for one another.

As Ellis pulls away, the sun hangs low in the sky, leaving a soft orange glow over the clouds. “I figured we could go to the lighthouse and talk?” He glances over at me. “And then dinner.”

“I love that idea.” This dress was a mistake. My boobs keep wanting to escape from it—code for it’s too damn small—so I keep adjusting it, and in turn, Ellis keeps glancing over at me as he drives the half-mile or so to the Jupiter Lighthouse, centered on the Jupiter Inlet.

“It’s getting late, so the number of tourists should be lighter,” he tells me, as he parks.

For some reason, I’m happy about that. I want to learn everything I can about the man I can’t seem to stop thinking about without distractions.

Waves crash against the rocks lining the inlet as we get out and cross the lot to the red, cylindrical tower jutting toward the painted sky.

Inside, we take the steps to the top in silence. Once we reach the view, it’s stunning. It feels like I can see all of Florida from up here. Boats wade in the endless aquamarine water, looking like toys in a bathtub. From way up here, I feel like we’re completely alone in this world.

“I’ve actually never been here before,” I admit.

Ellis rests his hand next to mine on the blue railing. “I used to come here a lot when I was in high school.”

And I can see why. It’s certainly one of the best places on earth.