Chapter 20

Vanessa locked eyes with Elliot. She stared right through him as if she could see exactly what he was thinking. But he stayed quiet, head lowered, refusing to give anything away. His friends grew desperate and nudged him urgently, whispering through clenched teeth. "Eli, say something! Don't screw this up!" "You and Vanessa loved each other for years, Eli. Don't be an idiot now!" "Exactly. Serena's gone. Wasn't marrying Vanessa all you ever wanted?" Even they knew how crazy in love the two had once been. Vanessa's eyes brimmed with tears, and her voice trembled. "Come home with me. We'll see our parents. We could be married by tomorrow. Eli, just nod, and I'll act like none of this ever happened. I'll convince myself you were just drunk tonight." She stared at him. Her eyes silently pleading for Elliot to nod. But when he finally spoke, his rough voice cracked out the words that broke her heart again. "Vanessa, I just need more time." Her tears finally spilled over, and her vo