I closed my eyes, not wanting to see the pain I was about to cause him. ‘Jimmy, you should know, I’m leaving New York,’ I admitted. ‘Zola is looking at flights, probably as we speak, and we are planning to head home in the next day or two.’
When I finally opened my eyes, his face still mirrored disappointment.
‘It’s been amazing, and yes, fucking insane at times, but this isn’t my life. It’s just not.’ I shook my head and his hand fell by his side.
‘Because of Fee?’ he asked, and I could see his embarrassment at his sister’s actions.
I shook my head. ‘No, because Glasgow’s my home. We have created the app. Our job is done.’ I smiled. I knew he was wondering where he fitted into all of this, but truthfully, I wasn’t sure. I loved my flat back home, even if it was small, and my life with my friends. I wasn’t about to risk all of that for a fantasy.
‘Well, what about the launch? Will you wait till Thanksgiving?’ he asked, his eyes focusing on the sky, on the bridge, anywhere but my face.
I laughed, confused. ‘What do you mean? You said you didn’t want to launch this week.’
Jimmy sighed, forcing himself to make eye contact. ‘And you said you did. Look, we have an investor; we could wrap up this whole deal for you. If you’re in?’
I grinned. ‘It’s two days away! You said .?.?.’
‘The work has all been done, Ella. You planned it all! Remember? Show up and enjoy the launch you deserve. And I promise to keep my sister more than a ten-block radius from all of us. She won’t get anywhere near us.’ He paused, and I saw the sadness in his eyes. ‘I’ve stepped up my security too.’
‘What’s happening then? Will you get the money back?’
‘Hopefully.’ Jimmy hummed. ‘I have a good lawyer. Hey, I’ll tell you about it at the launch. How about that?’ He smirked, hoping some juicy gossip would be enough to persuade me.
I hesitated, unsure if this launch had simply become a way to keep me here longer, knowing it made letting go harder.
‘But you know I’ll have to leave afterwards. I have to get back to living my life, to working,’ I said.
He grinned. ‘I do understand, Ella.’
‘OK, well, I guess we’re giving the app the launch it deserves,’ I finally agreed.
We stood together, watching as the city came alive. Jimmy lifted his arm and tightened it around my shoulder as we took everything in together.
It felt like a fresh start was on the way. My New York chapter was closing, and soon I’d be heading home changed, confident, but with a piece of my heart always belonging to this city, and to Jimmy Link.
Chapter Fifty
Ella
I entered the apartment to Zola screeching and jumping, while Katy stumbled down the hallway at her noise. Ethan stood nearby, grinning at Zola’s excitement.
‘What is it?’ Katy moaned. ‘It’s too early, Zola! Sssshhh!’
Zola screamed again, jumping up and down. ‘We have an investor! The launch is back on!’
I smiled, knowing Jimmy must have emailed the board.
‘Shut up!’ Katy bellowed, but still joining Zola in a dance party. ‘Ella?’ Katy beckoned me. ‘This is good news, we’ll get paid!’ She screamed again, in joyful realisation of how much this would benefit us financially too.
I laughed. ‘I know. I know! I met Jimmy this morning,’ I admitted, noticing their jumps had suddenly halted.
‘You met Jimmy?’ Zola looked shocked, as if I had been keeping it a secret.
‘Did you meet him for breakfast?’ Katy asked, still giggling, completely hyper from the news. ‘Did he give you Jimmy’s special link sausage?’ She began thrusting up and down, while Ethan stood rigid as fuck.
I walked over to the sofa and sat down. ‘No, I met him by chance, while I was out for my run. It was nice. He told me about the investors, and I said we should go for it.’
Ethan nodded. ‘He’s called a meeting; the investor is joining us today to sign the paperwork.’
