Page 150 of Reconciling With the Rival

“However, I wanted to extend the option for when you’re ready. Like I said, this is all on your own terms, but I’d love to have you in my bed every single night. I’d love nothing more than you putting your own spin on this place decor wise.”

I take a long look around his apartment I once called a bachelor pad when I helped Alissa move him into this place. “It could use a woman's touch.”

He presses a kiss to my forehead. “Not a woman's touch, Ella. Yours. That’s the only one I want in the place I call home.” Then, he reaches behind me, grabs the champagne flutes, and heads into the living room, leaving me speechless in his kitchen.

I love living with Alissa, and eventually, I do want to live with Leo and create our own corner of the world. But I can only do so much at a time. Adding an entire move on to my already full plate would be too much.

And just because I’m capable of handling so many different things at once doesn't mean Ihaveto. It’s been a slow and steady process, but I know, eventually, I’ll get better at relying on other people to help me when I need it.

Before I head back into the living room and ring in the new year with my favorite people, I send a group message to myotherfavorite people.

Ella: Happy almost New Year! I miss you two.

Dad: Happy New Year, Bug. Here’s to brighter days and clearer skies for 2025.

Lizzie: Happy New Year! I love you, sis.

Dad: Thanks for bringing Leo around yesterday. It was nice meeting him.

Lizzie: He’s even cuter than you described…

Ella: Thank you for not scaring him off.

Dad: That was meant for you, Liz.

Lizzie: I was perfectly nice!

Ella: Sure, sis. Be safe at your party tonight. If you need me to pick you up, I can.

Lizzie: I’m sleeping over, Ells. But thank you.

Dad: Have a good night, girls.

Lizzie: I love you, Dad.

Ella: I love you guys.

My mom hasn't reached out in a while, and it’s safe to assume she isn't around anymore, which is for the better. My sister and I haven't needed her since she walked out the first time.

As I throw my phone into the pocket of my skirt, I head to join my chosen family waiting for the clock to strike midnight, the group of us huddled around Leo’s television.

“Here, darling,” Leo says as he hands me my drink, and just as the clock is about to hit two minutes, Paige clinks her drink and clears her throat. We all turn our attention to her as she steps in front of us.

“I wanted to make a toast,” she says, her voice already tight with emotion. There’s always something so sad about a new year. In a way, I never thought this year would go how it did, but I wouldn't change any of it for the world.

This year brought growth, scary moments, new adventures, risks, loss, and, best of all, love. I can almostfeelthe love blanketing this room. With these people, I feel safe, feel like myself. They’ll love me no matter what.

Because that’s what friends do. They stay when you want to run. They love you even when you feel like you can’t love yourself. Whenever I feel like too much, I know they’ll smack some sense into me and remind me how much they love me.

Paige’s voice surprises me with what she says next. “To new beginnings,” she starts, and Grant cheers. “And to Ella, because without her, none of us would be here.”

I feel my eyes start to fill with tears as everyone repeats what she said and takes a drink. “What?”

“Well, it’s true, isn't it?” Paige smiles at me. “Our book club would be nonexistent if you didn't talk to me that day in the library.”

Two tears fall as I think back to the day I walked up to Paige in the library. “I’ve never thought of it like that.”

“Well, we have,” Hads says. “If you hadn’t done that, I don't know if we would have ended up here.”

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