That Thing Between Eli and Gwen (32 page)

I finished my first glass and started to refill, my mind racing to the point that I was starting to get a headache.

“In your books, how would the hero and heroine work this out?” I questioned.

Her mood lightened up and she even giggled. “The heroine would have gotten on the plane and we’d have to wait for book two to see them struggle to fix everything later.”

I had missed hearing her sound cheerful. “Who do you think would play me in the book to movie version if there was one?”

“Tom Hiddleston,” she said without even a moment of hesitation.

“We look nothing alike Guinevere.”

“I know!” She grinned, reaching for the bottle. “But he’s hot and I’d happily play myself, thank you very much.”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah good luck with that.”

“A girl can dream.”

“If you are going to dream about a man fucking you in the shower and on the bed, in your parents’ basement, it needs to me.”

Her eyebrow rose and she looked ready to challenge me. “And if I don’t?”

“The moment I feel you hot and bothered beside me, I’ll happily remind you one thrust at a time.”

Her eyes glazed over and she swallowed slowly before looking away.

Grinning to myself, I kicked her foot on the coffee table. “We aren’t a movie, or one of your romantic book couples. We’re real people who have to deal with real shit day in and day out. Just because you find the love of your life doesn’t mean nothing else comes up. My daughter, Sophia, she’s important me, and I can’t even explain it, but I’m happy she’s alive no matter who her mother is. I love her…but I also love you and I don’t want to choose. I’m selfish like that. I want you both.”

“Eli—”

Reaching over to her, I took her glass and set it on the coffee table next to mine. Opening my arms for her, she hugged me, burying her face into my neck.

“Later you should rebook your flight to India. I don’t want to ever hold you back either. But when you go, remember you’re got a boyfriend waiting at home. We’ll email each other back and forth; who knows? I might even have enough time to visit, when Hannah is with Sophia. We are going to share custody and Hannah knows that is the extent of our relationship. We’re going to work Guinevere, and we aren’t going to hate each other; we’re going to miss each other to the point that nothing else matters.”

“Eli,” she whispered, sitting up between my thighs, her eyes searching mine as I brushed my thumb over her lips.

“I told your father that in ten years I’d still be with you. I meant it.”

When her lips were on mine, I felt my body finally relax. We weren’t running away from each other, but toward one another. Yes, there had been and would be bumps in the road, yes, we’d fight, and yes, I was sure starting a long distance relationship wasn’t going to be nearly as romantic or fulfilling as I’d hoped, but it was something…something that closed the space between us.

“Ahh…” She moaned into my mouth as one of my hands cupped her breast and her ass, thankful she had worn a skirt that day.

We weren’t ending…we had only just gotten started.

Epilogue

From:
Guinevere Poe

Subject:
I Have A Question For You…

Date:
September 8 at 2:18 AM

To:
Eli Davenport

Dear Dr. Asshole,

Have you ever been sneezed on by an elephant? Well I have…twice…by the same elephant. His name is Anugtaha, which I have been told means one who has grace, and the keeper here joked he may be allergic to me. I have a feeling you are smiling at the irony in that. But do not be alarmed, Anugtaha and I will be the best of friends before I leave here, as you know I become more loveable the more time you spend with me. :)

I hope you’re doing okay. I called, but the time difference and everything is still throwing me off. I won’t lie, I’m still nervous about being so far away from you. I’m not sure if I’m running or following my dreams. Yes, I’m having a good time, but all day as I was traveling around I would see things or want to go places and the very first person that came to mind was you. It’s so strange to me how just a few months ago I didn’t even know you existed and now I can’t function the same without seeing you.

I’m going to stop before I get too sappy.

Keep being
kinda
cool,

The Con Artist

P.S. I love you…

From:
Eli Davenport

Subject:
I Have An Answer For You…

Date:
September 9 at 3:48 PM

To:
Guinevere Poe

Dear Con Artist,

No, I have never been sneezed on by an elephant, but please relay this message to Anugtaha for me: don’t look into her eyes my friend, it’s how she gets you. One moment she’s a normal annoying human being, and the next you can’t think of anyone more beautiful. If she stares at you and smiles, well then you’re a goner and there is no hope, just accept it.

As for you Guinevere, I don’t care what the time difference is, the only reason why I would miss your call is because of work. The rest of the time I’m waiting to hear from you anyway. You are running, but that doesn’t matter because I’m standing at the end of the road waiting. Just enjoy everything in front of you right now. You may only get to see those things once. Yes, I miss you and yes if I could pick between you being there and you lying next to me, of course I’d pick next to me. I’m almost as jumpy as Taigi; every time the door opens our heads shoot up like we expect you to walk through the door.

I also won’t get too sappy.

Stay healthy, smile a lot, be safe,

Your boyfriend

P.S. No way I’m calling myself Dr. Asshole. :p

P.P.S. I love you more than the sun loves the sky.

From:
Guinevere Poe

Subject:
I’m Not Sure If You Are A Devil Or A Saint

Date:
October 12
^th
at 3:00 AM

To:
Eli Davenport

Dear Boyfriend,

Calling your girlfriend at midnight to have phone sex was….is…urgh! I don’t know whether to yell at you for making me miss you more, for making me want to kiss you and make love to you and fuck you, or thank you for saying everything you said. See, it’s morning here and my mind is still reeling.

I don’t know what to type. My mind is blank. When I can think of words again I’ll call,

Your very frustrated girlfriend

P.S. I don’t know if I ever told you this, but your phone voice is sinful.

P.P.S. I love you more than the British love their tea.

From:
Eli Davenport

Subject:
I’m Whatever You Want Me To Be

Date:
October 12th at 1:00 PM

To:
Guinevere Poe

Dear Girlfriend,

I’m glad it was as good for you as it was for me. Yes, there will be Facetime, I need to see your face as you get off on my voice. And don’t lie, your mind isn’t blank, it’s just filled with all the things you want me to do to you. After all, what did you call me last night between moans?

If you only knew how hard I was for you,

Your Sexy Pussy Fucker

P.S. I’m forever going to use that name against you.

P.P.S. You’ve told me nothing about Seoul or South Korea, our night together really has you dazed. Don’t forget you have a job you need to finish so you can do more than just Facetime.

P.P.P.S. I love you more than Peter Pan loves Neverland.

From:
Guinevere Poe

Subject:
Please note…

Date:
October 12
^th
at 3:17 AM (

To:
Eli Davenport

Dear Sexy Pussy Fucker,

Please note that I was not in the correct frame of mind and should not be held accountable for anything I said, especially when you’re talking about tying me to a bedpost and…

Anyway, sorry I forgot, Seoul is beautiful and the food is
AMAZING
. Tell Ian I will never forgive him for not introducing Buldak into my life earlier.

Love,

Your Cherry On Top

P.S. I was not the only one giving out names.

P.P.S. You haven’t told me much about what has been going on back home. How is Sophia?

P.P.P.S. I love you more than a dominatrix loves her whips.

From:
Eli Davenport

Subject:
What I’m Thankful For

Date:
November 25th at 7:13 AM

To:
Guinevere Poe

Dear Cherry On Top,

I’m thankful that I met you. I’m thankful that not only did I fall for you, but you fell for me too. I’m thankful that you’re completely different from me because you make me see the world in a whole new way. I’m thankful you’re alive because it makes me feel alive too.

Sophia is growing by the day. My mother says she has my father’s eyes. I never realized I was missing so much until you both were in front of me. Sometimes I get your messages while she’s over and for the rest of the day nothing can bring me down. I feel blessed that you both are in my life…so blessed in fact that part of me feels guilty for those who have lost so much. Toby has gotten better, but not much. He’s lost his company, but luckily he’s got a good amount of wealth built up. He’s moved out of the city and now lives in the Hamptons where he spends most of his time fishing. When I visit we don’t talk much, just sit outside in the cold. I understood he was hurting, but it never really hit me until I realized how badly I love you and Sophia. If I lost either of you I don’t know how I would be even able to fish.

Anyway, be safe. All right…really.

Eli

P.S. I love you more than fish love water.

From:
Guinevere Poe

Subject:
I’m Thankful For…

Date:
November 25
^th
at 9:19 PM

To:
Eli Davenport

You. Eli.

When I thought my life was over, when I couldn’t laugh or sleep or even focus on the people around me, you helped to bring me back.

I’m thankful your brother punched knives, forcing us to go to the hospital. I’m thankful for all of our fights and drunken rants.

If I could go back, I wouldn’t change anything. You were and are my second chance.

I only hope that one day Toby gets that second chance at love too.

If you’re safe, I’m safe.

Your Guinevere

P.S. I love you more than Cinderella loved Prince Charming.

From:
Eli Davenport

Subject:
Merry Christmas

Date:
December 25
^th
at 9:47 PM

To:
Guinevere Poe

My Guinevere,

I miss you.

Your Eli.

P.S. I love you more than Romeo loved Juliet.

Eli

Almost a week had gone by and we hadn’t had much time to talk. She was busy getting ready to move to another country for the month and I was swamped between work and Sophia. Even so, I still missed her. It was one thing to say, “Let’s have a long distance relationship,” and another to actually be in one. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and now New Year’s…the holidays were hard enough to get through by yourself, let alone apart from the person you wanted to spend them with.

“Urgh, Eli what is wrong with you?” I groaned, lying back on my couch. Hannah had Sophia for New Year’s Eve and most of the next morning before we would trade off. It wasn’t the life I wanted for my daughter, to be bounced between parents, but I honestly didn’t know what else to do.

The last few months have been insane.

Grabbing my phone again, I refreshed my inbox.

Nothing.

When had I become this person? The type of guy who waited by the phone? It was annoying me and even still I was tempted to hit the refresh button again.

“Five.”

“Four.”

“Three.”

“Two.”

“One.”

I counted down, hearing the cheers roar outside the window.

Happy New Year.

For the third time I hit refresh and the moment I saw the notification, I sat back up against the couch.

From:
Guinevere Poe

Subject:
Happy New Year

Date:
January 1
^st
at 12:01 AM

To:
Eli Davenport

Being away from each other like this is hard…too hard, Eli.

“That’s it? She has to be fucking kidding me.” I muttered, tossing the phone onto the other side of the couch and getting up. Taigi glanced up at me, barked once, and then turned his head away as if he couldn’t even be bothered. “Don’t start with me.”

Pulling off my shirt, I threw it on the couch before heading to the bathroom. Whatever freak out Guinevere was having, I’d deal with it in the morning. I was far too tired to even—

BARK

BARK

“Taigi!” I hollered as I pulled off my pants. He whimpered, then went silent.

BARK

BARK

BARK

BARK

What in the hell?

“Taigi what is—” I started to say as I headed into the living room. Then I saw her. My Guinevere, dressed in a dark, knee-length red dress and gold sparking heels that were not on her feet but beside them. Next to that was a winter jacket. Her brown hair was a mess, some parts of it blown out from what I could only guess had been the wind, other parts curled tightly. She was even sweating a little bit, her chest still rising and falling.