Page 17 of Ella Gets the D
“No.” I shake my head. “Thank you for the drinks, but this”—I point to the keys—“is too much. You took me and my kids in at one of my lowest points.” My lip trembles. I will not cry at this rooftop bar. “I have to do this on my own.”
I refuse to take advantage of Morgan’s hospitality or her money. She already went above and beyond. I can do this. Iwilldo this.
The keys come back to me. Morgan takes my hand in hers and levels me with a mom stare I know well. It’s the same if-you-don’t-close-your-mouth look I give my kids, and it scares me now that I’m on the receiving end. “Yes, you can.” She takes a breath and softens her features. “Listen to me, El. I know you feel obligated to suffer alone, but you have family here. People who want to help and see you succeed.
“How many women do we know who suffered in silence? Women who loved their spouses and gave up their careers to handle things at home—only to have their trust betrayed and that love thrown back in their faces? I know you’re scared, but I want you to hear me when I say I will not let you go through this alone.”
Grier nods. “Morgan is right,” she says about my friend who’s waving her hand in an I-told-ya-so motion. “Take the townhouse and figure out your next steps. There’s no need to struggle to prove you’ll do it on your own. We know you will, and accepting help doesn’t diminish that.”
“What about Charles?” He’ll fight this.
The corner of Morgan’s lips curl. “I’m no legal expert, but you agreed not to live inmyhouse. This townhouse is a Brooke property thatIdon’t own.”
Grier lifts a shoulder and says, “He put emphasis on Morgan’s personal residence. Anything not in her name is fair game.”
This is really happening. The end of the year will come in a flash, but this gives me a chance to finally exhale. “I’m in.”
We hug and scream around the bistro table, earning a mix of claps and blank stares from people near the bar.
“The townhouse is here in Georgetown. It’s about a fifteen-minute drive to Falls Church without traffic,” Morgan says. “You’ll find a job in no time. I know you will.” She chuckles. “My father adores you. He would create a position for you on the spot.”
“Sounds like you have options, Ella,” Grier says with a wink.
Guess I do.
Chapter 6
Julian
“You alright tonight, fam? If you’re knackered, go home.”
“And miss your going-away party? Never.”
Kendi is one of the first friends I made in London when I started coming over years ago. He put me on to one of the local rugby teams he’s been captain of for years, and there are large cleats to fill now that he’s leaving.
His grin widens in a slow spread of pearly whites. If I had a pound for every time someone mistook him for Daniel Kaluuya, I’d never have to work again. A VIP server already asked for a selfie.
“When you leaving us?” I nudge his shoulder from the balcony we’re leaning against. Sweat and pheromones waft up from the dance floor of bodies grinding into each other to Soca beats.
His head tips from side to side. “A few months? Chi and I are still faffing around, but we need to be in Amsterdam by August.”
“Big man doing big things.”
He dips his head to hide a smile. “I do alright.”
Kendi wears modesty with the same ease as his three-piece suits. We match tonight in black vests, blazers, and trousers.
“Bro, don’t you dare downplay your contract. It’s huge.” I don’t know all the details, but establishing systems for local renewable energy projects is a big deal. “I’m proud of you.”
“Says the person who helped negotiate the contract.” He laughs. “You’re doing your thing out here, Julian. I’m proud of you too.”
Our attention drifts back to the dance floor. Our teammates are scattered around, trying their best to pretend they have rhythm—except for Syed, who’s twerking on a woman in a silver dress.
“Surprised you’re not down there.” Kendi lifts his chin to our group.
We’re the only two tucked into the VIP section with bottle service, and that’s fine by me. I take a sip from my glass. “I’m good.”
Late nights and faceless sex. That’s what’s out there. I’d be lying if I said I haven’t had my fill. Those days were good to me, and still are, whenever the work week is chaotic or I feel like letting off steam.
