Page 122 of Shout Out To My Ex

Elle’s raised voice draws our attention, although I can’t make out what she’s saying. Paloma and I exchange a worried look, both suddenly sobered. It’s a reminder that there’s far more at stake now than when we called Elle and Leo into the agency, barely an hour ago.

And what iswiththat, this case changing direction on an hourly basis? It’s certainly keeping me on my toes.

But it’s nothing compared to what Elle and Leo are dealing with – navigating their rekindled relationshipandthe risk to their careers. This could be a death knell if we don’t handle it exactly right. It was challenging enough when this was a ‘simple’ love triangle. But after the TV interviewandthe shocking news Marie just brought us, this case is careening towards the edge of a cliff.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Saskia leave her office and go into the conference room.

‘Do you think we should…?’ asks Paloma, indicating the toilet door.

I shake my head. ‘We should wait,’ I reply, sort-of pulling rank. Though, technically, this is still my case. I glance over to gauge her reaction, but she seems to have accepted my decision.

The truth is I’dloveto barge in there and drag the two lovers out so we can get back to untangling this mess, but thisis a critical moment for them and I’ve already interrupted them twice.

Eventually, the door opens.

‘Sorry to keep y’all waiting,’ says Leo. Elle is silent but gives me a close-lipped smile.

‘Poppy, we’ll see you all in there,’ Paloma says, stepping away.

‘Hey, you two,’ I say to Leo and Elle.

Looking between them, I’m reasonably confident what they’ve decided, but I’d like to hear it from them.

‘Before we go any further, I need to know where you’re at. And before you tell me, I’ll add that no matter what else happens, I’m on your side and I’ll work my bum off to give you the best possible outcome. Okay?’

Elle

‘Thank you, Poppy,’ I say. ‘That’s very reassuring.’ When she and Cassie revealed yesterday that they’d been conspiring, I was livid, but now… Well, Poppy and the agency may be our only hope.

‘Yeah, that means the world to us,’ says Leo.

‘So, where are you at?’ Poppy asks, looking between us.

‘We want to be together, so we need your help to figure this out,’ says Leo.

‘Elle?’ she asks. ‘That’s what you want too?’

I nod vigorously. ‘Yes.’ I look up at Leo and he gives me a wink.

‘That’s brilliant,’ says Poppy, grinning at us. ‘I’m thrilled for both of you, really.’

‘She made me work for it, though,’ Leo teases.

‘Excuse me,’ I say, backhanding him lightly in the stomach.

‘You did, but you’re totally worth it.’ He holds me close with one arm and smacks a kiss on the top of my head.

‘Right, so…’ says Poppy, the smile falling from her face, ‘now that’s settled, new information has come to light.’

‘Since we were in the bathroom? For real?’ Leo asks.

‘Yes and it’s… it’s not good. Come on, let’s get you into the conference room so we can fill you in.’

As Poppy leads us across the office, I lean close to Leo. ‘God, now what? We’ve already been chased by the paps and eviscerated on morning television.’

‘I have no idea.’

‘Well, we weren’t in the loo long enough for aliens to invade,’ I quip.

---