The Relationtrip by Elana Johnson

Author:Elana Johnson [Johnson, Elana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: AEJ Creative Works

Chapter Fifteen

Logan

“Mm, you are the flavor I’ve been missing in my life.” I stir my mocha caramel milkshake and grin at it appreciatively. It’s creamy, with the perfect amount of coffee flavoring and the caramel not that fake kind that leaves a film on my tongue.

“Wish you’d said that to me,” Sloane says dryly, cocking her eyebrows at me.

I look at her, trying to figure out what she wants from me in this moment. We’ve been shopping all day long, and I feel like I patiently went into each and every store she wanted to, browsed through things I have zero interest in, and exclaimed appropriately over the souvenirs she picked out for her boss, her assistant, both of her sisters, and her mom and dad.

I bought a couple of things—a magnet in the shape of the country of Belize for myself and a tea towel with a heart over the capital city for my mother. I don’t have close friends outside of Sloane, nor co-workers I’d be buying gifts for. If Sloane noticed how little I bought, she hasn’t commented on it.

I reach over and cover Sloane’s hand. “You are the flavor I’ve been missing in my life.”

She puts another bite of her chocolate brownie bite shake in her mouth. “What flavor is that?”

“Chocolate,” I say, leaning toward her. “Chocolate would go great with my mocha caramel.” I touch my lips to hers, and she lets me. She doesn’t truly kiss me, and I’m not sure what I’ve done wrong.

She was contemplative on the balcony this morning, but we talked through her “irrational hour” thoughts. We had a great lunch in the shops, and I’ve been holding her hand, laughing with her, and generally enjoying the day with her.

“Are you okay?” I ask.

“Fine.” She gazes past me to the water, and I know she’s not fine. She’ll tell the ocean and the shower her secrets, but she won’t divulge them to me until she’s ready.

Impatience tugs at my heartstrings, and I instantly pull back. I’ve waited a long time to be with Sloane Sanders the way we are now, and I can be patient for more. In all, she’s taken everything I’ve told her in stride. For someone who dislikes changes as much as she does, I actually think she’s transitioned to the idea of us romantically quite well.

I don’t know what else to say, so I remain quiet. Sloane will come back to me in a few minutes, or I’ll draw her back by asking her something. I feel the end of our vacation looming over me, over us, and I dislike it greatly.

I want to push against the pressure ballooning around us and keep it at bay. Keep us insulated from the drudgery of everyday life.

“What’s your favorite thing to eat for lunch?” I ask.

Sloane blinks, slowly coming back to me. “There’s this great butcher block and deli on Forrest Street in Pittsburgh,” she says. “They have this grilled sirloin sandwich…” Her voice trails off and then she smacks her lips.

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