"She wants a tattoo?"
"Uh-huh." I take another sip of coffee. "One that professes her undying love for your brother."
Elliot makes a face. "Ryder's not worth getting a tattoo over."
"My feelings exactly." I finish my cup. "Is Nonny still here?"
"Leaving in five."
"Okay." I shrug into a robe and we go downstairs to the kitchen, hands linked.
Nonny is just rinsing her cereal bowl and putting it into the dishwasher. She looks fresh and adorable in a sunflower-yellow maxi dress. An elegantly thin silver chain with a piccolo pendant hangs around her neck.
"Morning. Nice necklace," I say.
"Hi." She fingers the piccolo. "It's new."
I raise an eyebrow.
"You know. A gift."
"From a boy?"
Pulling her lips in, she shrugs. From the sudden tinge of red on her face, it's got to be from a boy.
I sense Elliot tense through our linked hands. "Who?" he asks.
"Just some guy."
"The boy from history class?" He scowls. "Algebra too, if I recall."
"Don't you ever forget anything?"
"Nope. I also remember you not telling me how many classes you have with this kid."
Nonny rolls her eyes. "Because it's none of your business. It's not like we're serious." She grabs her backpack from the counter. "Gotta go. Love you." She gives me a tight but super-quick hug and dashes toward the main entrance.
"That necklace looks pretty serious to me!" Elliot calls out as she shuts the door behind her.
I elbow him in the ribs. "You're horrible. Stop embarrassing her."
"I just want to know who it is."
I rinse out my now empty coffee mug and reach for a box of cereal and some milk. "I worry about her too, but I have to believe that she'll be careful or I'll never let her out of my sight." I pour myself a bowl and put everything away. A spoon in my mouth, I settle on a stool at the counter, feet curling over the bottom rung.
"That's why I need to be the bad cop. You won't do what's necessary."
I smile. "I'll play good cop later and talk with her." I want to believe that the kids in her current school are great, but my high school wasn't exactly awash with problem teens, and my parents thought I was safe there …
"Oh, before I forget … " He reaches into the letter holder on the corner of the counter and pulls out an envelope. He checks inside, grunts and hands it to me.
"What's this?" I say after swallowing a mouthful of cereal.
"A cashier's check for twenty-five thousand dollars. That should be enough to cover whatever you owe Grayson."
I stare at the envelope. "It's probably too much."
He shrugs. "He can keep the change so long as he leaves you alone." Elliot reaches over and places his hand on mine. The contact feels so solid and warm, I lean forward, tilting my chin to look at him.
"You want to deal with him, so I'm not going to stop you. But promise me I'll be the first to know if you need help. I don't want you to feel that you have to take care of him on your own. I'm happy to stand by your side."
The offer touches me deeply. I can't remember the last time somebody vowed to be on my side and really meant it. Certainly none of my friends from Lincoln City did, even after talking about being best friends forever and whatnot. The firm tone of his voice and unwavering gaze tell me Elliot will back me up no matter what.
I can't help myself. I turn my hand over and squeeze his, leaning closer. He is voiding all the rules I've established for myself in the last two years so I could survive on my own. Normally it would freak me out, but right now I'm grateful I have him on my team.
"Thank you, Elliot," I murmur.
"My pleasure."
I finish breakfast, our hands linked the entire time. When Elliot finally has to leave to attend to business, I sit at the counter, staring at the envelope that contains the check. Seeing Mr. Grayson is going to be an unpleasant task. But for our sake … for our new start, I need to do this.
Girding my loins, I call him … and ask for an appointment.
Why, as luck would have it, he has an hour free today around eleven. Would I like to see him then, at the café where we always meet? It would please him immensely to see how I'm doing.
His empty words make my skin crawl. Still, I speak as though I'm calm, totally self-possessed. Of course I would. I'm thrilled he's looking forward to our meeting.
My hand starts to clench around the check, but I stop myself in time. One more meeting …
Then I will be free of Mr. Grayson.
Chapter Twenty
Annabelle
The last time I was at this café, Mr. Grayson wanted me to be a stripper to snag Elliot's interest. He also bought me coffee, since I didn't have any money back then.