One Wish

I frown, wondering why he’s asking. “Yes, why?”

He shakes his head, nonchalantly. “No reason.” He then suddenly gets up. “I just need to use the restroom. I’ll be right back.”

He strolls off and the whole time he’s walking, I watch him in awe, a big smile on my face. Today is definitely a good day.

Once he’s disappeared from sight, I glance around, noting that I’m being stared at again. When Eli was here, it was so easy to ignore everyone and totally immerse myself in him and him alone. Now that he’s gone, I’m getting that zoo exhibition vibe again. When I spoke with Jack about that, he said that I should be glad I’m only stared at when in LA. People there are obviously used to celebrities. It’s when you leave the area that you’re constantly mobbed. I’m at least glad we’re sat at a table away from the prying eyes of the outside world. Small mercies, I guess.

A minute or so of fidgeting later, Eli returns, phone to ear as he casually strolls back, a swagger so effortless it makes me want to record him and watch it back again, but in slow motion.

He thanks whoever’s on the line and sits down, immediately placing his napkin on his lap.

“Everything okay?” I ask.

“Perfect,” he replies. “In fact, more than perfect.”

“Oh, wow. More than perfect. I must be doing something right.”

He then clears his throat, slightly rolling his eyes. “Apparently, we’re trending on social media.”

“Oh, really. That’s swell,” I drawl back sarcastically, causing Eli to laugh.

“The Kendra I used to know would have her phone to her hip, checking every five minutes just to make sure she’s looking perfect to the world.”

“God, I hate her,” I mumble under my breath.

A little crinkle forms at Eli’s brow. “What was that?”

Shaking myself out of it, I say, “Nothing. I think it’s sometimes good for you not to check social media all the time. If you don’t read it, then it doesn’t affect you. Life still goes on whether my hair is perfect or not.”

He glances around the table, then at me. “I notice you don’t have your phone lately.”

“Deliberate,” I simply state. “I meant what I said in that statement. I want time out, and time out includes not worrying about posts on the internet.”

“Well, I’ll be damned.”

Eli leans back in his chair, fidgeting with his phone and forefinger. He’s relaxed, carefree nature right now makes him look as sexy as hell. I wish I could remember what it’s like to take him into my arms, caress my fingers through his hair, before touching his lips with mine. I should know automatically what it’s like to kiss my own husband, but at the same time, I guess going back to basics doesn’t hurt. Will he kiss me at the end of tonight? Flurries settle in my stomach at the thought.

We’re still smiling at each other, our stares longing, when our food arrives. His sexy smirk is doing way too many crazy things to my stomach.

We thank the waiter for bringing our food and that’s when the aromatic herbs, followed by the vinegary but sweet smell of tomatoes hits my nostrils, causing a different type of flurry in my stomach. Man, it smells good.

“Hmmm… yummy.”

Eli, picking up his fork, smiles at me. “It tastes even better.”

Presented perfectly in an almost pyramid fashion, it makes me feel bad for tearing down what some would construe as a work of art.

Hmm, maybe I am an artist after all.

I think back to my second attempt at drawing Eli’s head and it resembling a mango. I actually giggle at the thought.

“What’s funny?”

Oops, it seems I must have giggled out loud.

“I was just thinking about how well presented this Bolognese looks and likening it to a piece of art. I then remembered that I attempted to draw a head in my art studio for the second time and it resembled a mango.”

A snort leaves Eli’s lips. “Surely people have heads that look like mangos?”