Page 22 of Ella Gets the D
“I’m throwing you a party.”
“Excuse me?”
“Saturday.”
Charles left with the kids over forty minutes ago. Morgan and I are at our table with a coffee cake, two forks, and bottomless mimosas between us. Sunlight illuminates the open space through steel-framed floor-to-ceiling windows.
Joseph came shortly after Charles’s cameo to pick up Duke at Morgan’s request. Unlike my ex, hers arrived with pure intentions, a bouquet of flowers, and a card he made with their son. Morgan and Joseph divorced right before we moved to Falls Church. She never talks about it, only says they tried but couldn’t make it work.
“Earth to Ella?”
What was she talking about? Oh, Saturday. “Why are we having a party?”
My liver groans at Morgan’s smile. We don’t get wild, but one cocktail after nine o’ clock will knock us on our asses. “Your divorce party.”
“Come again?”
“Hopefully you will after Saturday.”
I check her temperature for a fever. “Did you forget I have a whole year before I officially file?” Damn Virginia separation requirement. “I haven’t left your house yet, and you want to throw a party?”
Morgan’s lips paint the rim of her glass pink. Pineapple mimosas are now mandatory at Sunday brunch. “We should celebrate your journey back to the single life.”
“While we’re at it, let’s get a penis cake with matching candles and ceremonially burn my wedding vows.”
“Great idea!” Morgan pulls her rattan clutch to the table and digs through her small collection of trinkets for her phone. “I’ll take notes. What else?”
My wedge sandals hit the corner of the table when I face the wooden planter box behind me and proceed to sift throughgreenery. “What are you doing?” Morgan asks my jean-wrapped ass. It’s a juicy booty, one she’s about to kiss in two seconds.
“Searching for hidden cameras.” A fork hits my butt and bounces on the table. “Wench,” I say over my shoulder.
A throat clears. “Is there something I can assist you with, miss?”
I turn to face a young man in a black-and-white uniform with short cinnamon hair. He’ll get an extra tip for usingmissand notma’am. “Nope. Just admiring the foliage,” I say with a smile as I turn back around in my seat. “We’ll take the check, thank you.”
“The gentleman settled the bill before he left,” the server volleys back.
Say what now?
He continues, unfazed by my blank stare. “The man who came with the flowers. He paid on his way out. Please let me know if there’s anything else I can assist you with. Have a wonderful Mother’s Day.”
Morgan’s gaze drops to the table, but not before I catch the shine in her eyes. Joseph Catlett is a special man who cares for his ex-wife. His intentions are clear through his words and actions.
Charles, on the other hand, would never. Do I think he loved me? Yes, in his own way. But in the selfless way Joseph loves Morgan? Not a chance in hell.
I want that.
“Saturday.” The word leaves my mouth in a rush before common sense kicks in. Today is full of surprises. “We’ll celebrate new beginnings, but nothing over the top.”
She crosses her heart and lifts a hand. “Nothing over the top.”
“I pick the location.”
She hesitates but nods. I don’t want to go toe-to-toe with her inner party planner, but if left unchecked she’ll turn this into a red-carpet affair.
“And Morgan?”
“Yes.”
