My relationship with Nadine wasn’t born out of traumatic circumstances or mutual survival. It was just…normal. And normal was something I had always been in short supply.

“Like I need something to remember you, Ellie,” Nadine chided, yanking me out of my trip down memory lane.

“You can wear ‘em if you want. I won’t mind,” I teased. I loved the girl I was around Nadine. She was fun and dare I say it, carefree. She could joke and hang out in social situations without breaking out into hives. She was entirely different person.

That girl would never have survived in Wellston and I worried she’d disappear now that I was back.

Which was why going to New York seemed so necessary. I needed to hold onto this new Ellie before I lost her forever.

“I don’t think the bosses would be too thrilled with squeaky pleather in the work place,” Nadine mused, as though actually considering it. And knowing Nadine she probably was.

“Okay, enough with the small talk. I’m coming for a visit. You know if the offer of your couch is still available,” I said, getting to the point. I could see that Flynn was starting to head back towards the house. Murphy jumped around him, obviously not done playing.

“Seriously?” Nadine asked, sounding excited.

“I think so. Is it okay if I bring Flynn?” I asked, wincing a bit.

“Is he going to tell me my ass is fat or that my feet look funny?” Nadine asked and I couldn’t tell if she was pissed or not.

“He might. Though you don’t really have a fat ass, so I think you’re safe. As for the feet thing, I can’t be sure he’ll hold his tongue,” I quipped.

“That’s fine. I’ll just have to stay covered up so he doesn’t feel the need to comment on my less than appealing body parts.”

I laughed. “He doesn’t mean anything by it. He just doesn’t have a filter,” I excused, hating that I had to explain Flynn’s behavior.

“I get it. I had a cousin with Asperger’s. She’s the same way,” Nadine said and I stiffened.

“So just because you know someone with Asperger’s that makes you an expert?” I snapped. The instinct to jump to his defense was strong and uncontrollable.

“Whoa, Ellie, I never said that!” Nadine protested.

“Look, Flynn is a little different, but he’s my boyfriend. I love him. I won’t put up with people making him feel bad. Not even you, Nadine,” I responded coldly. I had spent years not standing up for him. I would never make that mistake again.

“I really think you misinterpreted what I was saying. I didn’t mean to generalize him or make it seem like I think he’s weird or something. I’m glad you’re coming for a visit. And I’m glad you’re bringing Flynn. Mi casa es su casa.”

I felt a little bad for jumping down her throat but I couldn’t apologize for standing up for Flynn. I never would. Even if the need was unfounded this time.

The kitchen door opened and I heard Murphy barrel inside and Flynn calling after him.

“Look, I’d better go,” I said.

“Hey, you know I didn’t mean anything right?” Nadine asked, sounding worried.

“Yeah, I know,” I sighed.

“Just let me know when you’re planning to come up here and I’ll set up some stuff for us to do. It’ll be great.”

Flynn came into the living room; Murphy bounded past him and launched himself at me. His tongue lapped at my face and I laughed, trying to push him away.

“Sounds cool. I’ll let you know,” I said a little breathlessly, trying to get away from the mountain of dog fur that pressed against me.

“Okay, I can’t wait to see you!”

“You too,” I replied and then hung up.

Flynn straightened the small sculptures on the shelf by the window. “Who were you talking to?” he asked.

“It was Nadine. I was telling her that we were coming to see her in New York,” I explained. Flynn’s jaw tightened and his hands clenched into fists.

The idea of going on this trip obviously stressed him out.

“You’re still okay with coming with me right?” I asked.

Flynn pushed his hair off his forehead. “You want to go and I want to come with you,” he said and I wasn’t sure if that really answered my question or not.

He sat down beside me once he was finished straightening the knick-knacks. He carefully put his arm around my shoulders and we sat together awkwardly.

I wondered if we would we ever be the type of couple who could fall into each other effortlessly and without hesitation at being touched?

Flynn leaned over and kissed the top of my head. “You smell good,” he said, his lips brushing my hair, making me shiver in a way that had nothing to do with the cold.

Flynn’s fingers dug into my arm as he held me against his side, seeming to fight with himself not to pull away.

And he held me, rigid and inflexible. But the warmth of his arm wrapped around me and I willed myself to be content with that.

It was here in his quiet company that I had finally come home.

Chapter Eighteen

-Ellie-

“Look what I got!” Stu said, holding up a multi-colored box.

“Woohoo, you got fireworks,” I muttered sarcastically.

Stu glared at me and knocked back the rest of his beer. “Do you have any better ideas, Miss Bitch?”

Dania giggled at Stu’s less than sweet term of endearment. She was wasted. I was wasted. Stu was wasted.