She nodded. “Well, she said when you came by to hand you this. It's about plans.”
“Thanks,” I said.
I had no time to crack the envelope and even less to be an emotional mess.
Ever since Eloise ran out the night before last, I was unmoored and trying not to make poor life choices. I was afraid I frightened her off. Now, she didn't even want to talk in person? It couldn't be good.
“Sir, we need to be on our way,” John said.
“Yep,” I agreed.
We took a line of cars to the airport.
“Miss Mills’s friend is nice,” John said.
I nodded. “Yes. Monique is a kind person.”
“She'll be moving here. Miss Mills is over the moon about it. Talked my ear off in a rare way.”
I smiled. “Good, glad to hear it.”
I opened the note, prepared to hide just how bad she was about to hurt me.
Duncan,
I will be there later. Don't worry. I'm not ghosting you.
Well, that was a relief.
I needed some time. I thought about it. I do care about you… a lot. It would be a mistake to ignore you and what may grow. It sounds fucking crazy,okay? The idea you would even like someone like me is too hard for my brain to process.
I chuckled. Why would she think that? She was pretty, clever, and had a dark sense of humor.
But it's worth a shot, I guess? We have to hide it. I don't want anyone thinking I only got this job because I slept with you. I didn't. And I need to know you know that. So, let's be careful. And if we do this, we do it in exclusivity. I am not about to share you at this point. Either you accept me and me alone or you move along.
That was fair. The idea of sharing her with anyone pained me. I finally admitted to myself that she wasmine.
What happened the other night was different. You were right. I don't want to say that angels sang or any stupid shit like that, but I felt something I hadn't in ages. I felt very much alive. I felt joy. And you saw it. So, kudos. I guess you're not terrible for me?
I chuckled.
We can talk after your next shift. I'm not going anywhere.
-Ella
I was relieved. I wasn't going anywhere, either. We made it to the airport. Eloise arrived at some point soon after. I heard her as I made my way out to tell John and the detail we were about to move. She stared at me. I nodded.
“Hello, Miss Mills, you made it.”
“I did,” she said.
“And your friend?”
“Sadly, back halfway to Paris.”
“But she's returning?”
Ella nodded. “She's going to get a flat in London and by the time she does, I will be back and I'm moving in with her.”
