“The job is still open.”
“I’ll cheer you on and clap louder than anyone when you get it,” Nora picked up the tray from the counter.“Grab the wine.”
“I’m not supposed to drink.”
“Break the rules every now and then, Ella.So what are you going to play for the audiiton?”
“You think I should do it, just like that?”Ella grabbed the wine from the counter, follwoign Nora to the living room.
“Well, it’s not like you need the name of my divorce attorney.”
Ella laughed, shaking her head at her oldest friend.“You’re incorrigible.”
The settled on the couch and flicked on the movie and Ella finally felt like she could breathe.Almost at the end of the movie, they were interrupted by the doorbell chiming.
Nora checked her security camera on her phone, smiling huge.“He has some good qualities.I’ll be right back.”
“Okay,” Ella snuggled into the couch.
The wine and the hot tub, being in Nora’s quiet and calm house was the remedy she needed and her eyelids drooped.
“Ella, these are for you.”
Nora swept into the room, her hands full of a massive bouquet of carnations.
“That’s…” Her cheeks heated as her heart fluttered.
“Yeah, complete overkill.‘ll find a vase.You read the card.”
Ella laughed, inhaling the flowers and opened the card.
I love you, dear heart.If you need me, I won’t be far away.
“What did he say?”Nora set a vase on the coffee table.
“That he won’t be far away.”
“Obviously, I wonder what B-and-B he’s booked in.”Nora plopped down next to her.
“I don’t know.”Ella shrugged.“I guess you think it’s strange that I don’t mind that he did this.”
“No, Ella, I think what you and Zee have is a rare thing and you’re very lucky,” her friend said, smiling.
Ella blinked away another surge of tears.
“I know I am.”
22 ZEE
Hewasn’tonetotake favours but as he slid into the limo sent by Xander, he was grateful for those deep friendships that he’d built over the years.
Zee leaned his head back against the leather seat thinking, wondering if this was the right move.But he wouldn’t leave Ella alone.
She hadn’t screamed, she hadn’t begged, she’d just quietly asked for space and he couldn’t begrudge her the that.He wanted her happy and healthy and if she wanted to move or stay in her friend’s guestroom, he’d accommodate.
Hell, if she wanted him to burn the house down to the ground he’d light the match.
Even though he wanted to handcuff her to his wrist and never let her go.
