I don’t want to admit it. I don’t want to think it. But it makes sense. In fact, it’s the only fucking thing that makes any goddamned sense.
Ellie is the snake.
And what’s worse? She snaked her way into my heart too.
Chapter 37
Ellie
“I’d go with the red.” Jocelyn’s voice comes from behind me, and I turn, lowering both of the dresses I was switching back and forth between.
“Are you sure?” I ask. “Damien doesn’t seem to be much of a fan.”
“He’s being modest,” she says, standing next to me in the mirror. “I think he just likes to say that so he doesn’t have to admit it really gets his engine going.”
I glance at both dresses again before letting out a sigh. “I’ll take your word for it. We have a date tonight, but I haven’t seen him at all today, so I don’t know what to dress for.”
“A date, huh? Going to the Opal Room?” she asks.
“I’m not sure,” I answer.
“Oh so it’s a date date. Dinner then.”
“Maybe?” I say, looking at the rack of clothes again. “He really didn’t say. This morning we were getting coffee–”
“On your little stroll together,” she cuts me off. “I have to say, you are the first assistant I’ve ever seen, the firstgirlI’ve ever seen him get coffee with. Usually he expects it like room service.”
“Yeah, it caught me off guard a little too,” I say, holding up the black dress again. It’s sparkly short, a little flashy for work.Which makes me think he got it for the other occasions. The night shift occasions.
“You two seem to be getting very…comfortable…together,” she says, and my eyes flash up to her. Ever since I met Jocelyn, I wasn’t quite sure how to take her. Do I trust her? Does she really want to be my friend? I’ve always been unsure, which is why I am friendly with her but also keep one eye open.
“Yeah…things have been nice.”
“Oh God,” she sighs.
“What?” I ask.
“Nothing. I just…I saw this coming.”
I lower both dresses and turn to her. “Saw what coming?” I ask.
“Nothing, it’s just…” she taps her fingers against the glass of the window. “I’ve seen him like this before,” she says.
I suddenly feel the need to be careful. “Like what?” I ask slowly.
“Falling in love,” she says, and it catches me off guard for more reasons than one. Does she think he’s in love with me? And if so…, has he actually been in love before?
“He made it sound like he’s never been in a relationship before,” I say, pretending not to care.
“He hasn’t. But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been interested in anyone…”
I know she’s holding bait out. Jocelyn is a gossip. I know women well enough to be able to spot one, and every workplace has one. Still…I’m too curious to be smart right now, and I take the bait.
“Who was it?” I ask.
A smile tugs at her lips before it disappears again, and she turns to me. “Me.”
“You?” I ask in disbelief.
