“So, Ellery asked Veronica about my business?” Could that be what they were talking about that night? But why?
“I can’t tell you that,” he said. “I said I wouldn’t get involved.”
“Of course,” I agreed.
“But you can ask him yourself.” He pointed towards the parking lot and my eyes followed.
The fancy BMW had to be his, and inside I spotted Ellery. His face was down and he was fidgeting with something. I assumed it was his phone but the movements didn’t exactly make sense for that. Then I remembered his love of puzzle cubes and knew it had to be that.
“He’s here?” I asked.
Arthur nodded. “He insisted on coming. I told him he could, but he couldn’t come in unless you wanted to talk to him. I have no interest in your relationship drama.”
I laughed. “You probably didn’t have much of that with the way Tiffany and you got together.”
“No, not really,” he said. “We could have if she said no, though.”
“But she didn’t,” I said.
A rare, small smile touched his lips. “No, she didn’t. Would you like to speak to him?”
I chewed on my lips as I considered it. Was I ready to face him? I’d avoided him until this point, avoided everyone really. But was that really helping me? Closure would probably be for the best.
“Yes. Tell him to meet me out back like he did before, if that’s okay.”
“I will.” He got up to leave, but before he did said, “Tiffany’s number is in that folder. Even if things don’t work out with Ellery, she wanted to meet up. Mentioned something about you, her, and Rachel having a spa day.”
I nodded, but didn’t trust myself to speak. The idea that even if we didn’t work out they still wanted to be my friend was reassuring.
Arthur walked out to his car. I couldn’t watch Ellery’s reaction. I collected my things and walked to the back alley, where we’d met that first day. My palms were sweaty, and I was trying to stay calm. Maybe he wouldn’t even come. Maybe he would decide it wasn’t worth the hassle. I was about to lose my nerve, to go back inside and run away, but then he came around the corner, before I could.
He looked good. He was in a dark pair of jeans and a black turtle neck sweater. He wasn’t as neatly styled as normal. Itseemed as if he hadn’t shaved in a few days, and his hair wasn’t styled like it typically was.
When his eyes landed on me, he looked almost relieved. He approached me slowly, like I was an animal he was afraid to chase off.
“Hey,” he said awkwardly.
“Hi.”
We stood there just staring. A chill rushed through the alley and I pulled my coat tighter. Ellery made a slight move towards me, but paused before we touched. I remembered his past touches. The way he felt against me. It made me shiver harder.
“I-I don’t know what to say,” Ellery started. “I thought of everything, a whole speech about how much I care about you, and how I don’t care that you have… magic I think? And how I’m so sorry everything went so wrong at the ball. But I can’t remember a word of it. I can only think about you being back in my arms.”
I felt speechless. Again, Ellery said whatever he thought. “What about Veronica?” I asked. I knew it was a silly thing, but I couldn’t let it go. She seemed like his perfect match in every way.
He shifted somehow even closer. “Veronica is just a friend. I know there’s been photos of us, but we are truly just friends who hooked up sometimes when we were bored. There’s nothing more to it. I know I have somewhat of a past, and I can’t change that. It’s who I was. But now, I want no one but you, and I hope you can believe that.”
His expression begged me to forgive him. I swallowed, my heart in my throat. I wanted to believe him. So badly. “So you want to date… for real?”
He took his hands in mine. “For real. No fake agreements. No tricking family. No money. It’s actually what I was talking to Veronica about. I wanted to take the money out of the equation,but still wanted to see you succeed. Though I may be biased, I think you truly have a good idea. And she is interested.”
I nodded. His eyes were so sincere, searching for a single glimmer of hope. “Arthur mentioned it,” I said “I’m sorry I thought it was anything else. I don’t hold your past against you. I’d just seen so many gorgeous women who you’ve been with. Ones I’m sure are more suited to be with someone like you.”
He brought my hand to his lips, planting a gentle kiss there. “I am sure there is no one better for me than you. If anything, it’s the reverse. You’re truly amazing. If it wasn’t for you, we would have missed every big event of this trip. And that’s all on top of being stunningly gorgeous, kind, and great in bed.”
My harsh chuckle appeared as a puff of foggy air between us. Of course, even when we were having a moment, he would say something like that. Ellery gave a light laugh along with me.
Sobering, I considered his words. So no more faking for your family or expensive deals?”
