Chapter Nineteen Elliott
Chapter Nineteen
Elliott
ChantalPlans Instagram Post
Friends, get ready for a new and improved website from your favorite Event Planner—coming soon from @EHBranding. I met Elliott through our dear friend @Carly.P—and you won’t believe this woman’s talent. Can’t wait for you to see the new site—stay tuned! Oh, and if you’re a fellow business owner in the Omaha area, go check out Elliott’s work and give her a follow. You won’t regret it! #eventplanning #party #partyplanner #smallbusiness #localbusiness #omahabusiness #omahaparties #chantalplans
Elliott smiled when the post notification popped up on her phone. She shared it to her Stories and immediately switched over to a text message.
Elliott: ??Hey! I just wanted to thank you again for connecting me with Chantal. I can’t tell you how much I love her and what a great opportunity this is for me.??
Carly: ??Girl of course. You deserve it??
Carly: ??What are you up to? It’s been a minute and I’d love to catch up??
It had been more than a minute—Elliott hadn’t seen Carly once since that night at the raw-food bar when Tiffany had opened her big mouth. Elliott had kept pretty close tabs on Carly’s social media, though, trying to glean how she was doing after the breakup. Everything seemed perfect as always, but social media never told the whole story.
One reason she’d kept her distance was the fact that she’d just met Carly, and if she was upset about everything with Jamie, surely she’d want to spend time with friends she was close to. Elliott didn’t want to impose.
Also, though, Elliott was a coward, plain and simple. Even if Yuka insisted the end of Carly and Jamie’s relationship wasn’t her fault, she still felt guilty, as if she was solely responsible for what had happened.
Plus, what would she do if Carly brought up “Jeremy”? Disappearing probably wouldn’t work a second time, and she wasn’t sure how she’d handle it. She’d never been a good liar, which she usually figured was a pretty good trait to have, but in this situation it meant she wouldn’t think well on her feet.
Hopefully by now Carly would have forgotten all about it. Or had been too drunk that night to even remember it the next day. Either way, Elliott wanted to visit with her regardless, especially after everything Carly had done for her and her business.
Elliott: ??I’m at Green Tree working on Chantal’s website, actually.??
Carly: ??I’ll be there in ten??
Elliott ordered a new cup of coffee while she waited, unable to focus on client work as butterflies filled her belly. She hoped she and Carly could continue their friendship, but she couldn’t help thinking about all the ways she’d deceived her, even if it was (mostly) with good intentions. She could come clean and tell the truth today—what better opportunity would she have?
But doing that affected Jamie, too, and while he’d admitted the initial lie-by-omission was a mistake, he’d also said things would only get worse if they brought it up now. Hurting Carly more than she probably already was (Who could lose Jamie and be okay with it?) was the last thing Elliott wanted to do.
Carly walked in right on time, her eyes searching the café. Elliott raised a shaky hand and smiled.
“Hiii!” Carly held out her arms, and Elliott rose to hug her. “Long time no see. How are you?”
“I’m really good. Busy, thanks to you.” They sat across from each other.
Carly did a little fist pump. “I was happy to do it. It’s been fun to help some of my favorite people around town. Hell, Blythe offered me free cupcakes for life for connecting you two. What’s better than that?” She laughed, face bright and happy.
Elliott searched for any visual indication Carly was depressed, lonely, or suffering and found none. No dark circles under her eyes, no slouched posture, no wrinkled clothes. Carly looked perfectly put together and sublimely happy.
Not like someone who’d just lost the love of their life.
Carly leaned forward, her eyes lighting up. “I actually came here to thank you for everything you’ve done for me.”
Elliott thought for a moment but couldn’t come up with anything she’d done to help Carly. “What do you mean?”
“That’s one reason I wanted to meet with you, besides just catching up. I’m going to post it on my socials soon but wanted to tell my friends in person. And you, because you played a big part in this decision.” She clasped her hands together under her chin, dark hair spilling over her shoulders. “I’m moving back to Oklahoma.”
“Really?” Elliott had never been to Oklahoma and didn’t know much about Carly’s childhood there, but Carly’s smile was bigger than Elliott had ever seen it.
“Ever since I was a kid, I’ve always loved style and fashion. But it never seemed like something I could make a career out of, so I went the safe route and picked accounting. I figured I could always express myself through what I wore, no matter what my job was.”
Clothes weren’t something Elliott paid a lot of attention to, but now that she thought about it, Carly was the best-dressed person she knew. “That explains all the fashion boutiques you’re always posting about.” Elliott had checked one out once and felt so out of place she’d made an awkward loop around the store and gotten the hell out of there.
“Yes! Leaving Silvia’s behind might be harder than all the free cupcakes I won’t get from Blythe, but she promised to ship me stuff whenever I want. Anyway, I have this friend back in Oklahoma City, Mai, who’s a personal stylist. She’s tried to get me to come work with her before, but I never had the nerve to actually do it. I didn’t have a lot of money growing up, and doing something like that just seemed too risky. Working on commission? No way. So I stayed here with my safe accounting job, watching Mai’s business flourish and wishing I could be part of it but never doing anything about it.
“Then I met you. The way you didn’t let your past stop you from getting what you want out of life was so inspiring. And when I heard you talk about how much you love what you do and why you want to do it? It reminded me why I love fashion and why I want to share that with others, so I called Mai to see if the offer was still on the table. You’re such a badass, moving and starting a new business from scratch, and I guess ... I guess I want to go after what I want with that same intensity, you know?”
Elliott couldn’t help but match Carly’s enthusiasm with a wide grin. “I had no idea you were interested in that, but personal styling suits you. I’m so happy for you.”
“Me too. I can’t wait, honestly. I mean, I’m so glad I came here for school, and I’ve loved living here. I really needed to get away from Oklahoma City for a while after high school, and I’ll never regret coming here. But it never really felt like home. And then, when Jamie and I broke up, I kept asking myself what was keeping me here. When Mai said she had a spot for me, it felt like a sign.”
It never really felt like home. Would that have played into the staying power of her relationship with Jamie if they’d stayed together? What if a long-term future with him had never been Carly’s plan?
Elliott shoved the thoughts away, ashamed for grasping at excuses to justify pining for Carly’s ex. “So it’s, like, official, right? You’re doing it?”
“Yup. The styling gig is part-time for now, but I work for a regional accounting firm, and they have an office in Oklahoma City. I’m going to do both for a while until I build up a client base.”
Elliott laughed. “Just like me.”
“You, me, Stephen ... We’re all out here hustling to pay rent and do what we love, too. I feel like I’m finally doing something for myself for the first time in forever.”
Elliott was a little envious of how certain Carly was about her decision—must be nice not second-guessing yourself all the time. “I love that for you.”
“We’ll keep in touch, right?”
“Of course, are you kidding? I’ll be living vicariously through your new fancy fashion life.” Elliott shot her wide eyes. “Especially if you pick up any famous clients. Who’s famous in Oklahoma?”
Carly frowned, thinking. “Carrie Underwood?”
“I think James Marsden is from there, isn’t he? I want to say Brad Pitt was born there, too.”
Carly’s jaw dropped. “Oh my God, I’ll move tomorrow.”
Elliott laughed. “None of those people still live there.”
“Hey, you never know where a good fashion connection will take you.”
“In that case, if you happen to meet Nick Jonas, maybe casually mention you’ve got a friend in Nebraska who makes a damn-good vanilla latte and gives excellent back rubs.”
“Nick Jonas? Really?”
“Don’t judge me.”
Carly laughed. “Consider it done.” She arched a brow. “Back rubs, huh? What does Stephen think about those?”
Elliott’s surprise must have shown on her face, because Carly added, “I heard you two have been talking.”
She had? Who else had he told? “Yeah, we went out before he left on that photography trip.” He’d left shortly after she’d put off a second date with the excuse she needed to work, and had only returned yesterday with a promise he’d stop into Starbucks to show her his best shots. “It was fun, but not quite to the back-rub stage,” Elliott said noncommittally.
She didn’t have the balls to turn the question back on Carly, but she couldn’t help but wonder: Was she excited to meet new men back in Oklahoma City? Maybe someone from her previous life she was interested in reconnecting with?
And if she was, would it change anything? Elliott had told Jamie she wouldn’t date him, but that was before she saw how content Carly was. Elliott had been worse off after only one night with him, for goodness’ sake.
Which was either hopelessly romantic or incredibly pathetic.
But even if Carly wasn’t pining after Jamie, that didn’t mean she’d be okay with Elliott making a move on her ex. Ex-boyfriends were iffy—usually considered off-limits to friends and family. Their history made things extra complicated, and Elliott still didn’t want to risk hurting Carly’s feelings.
Carly left soon after, promising to let Elliott know if she had any sort of going away party. Unable to focus on work, Elliott only stayed another ten minutes and called Yuka once she reached her car.
“Carly’s leaving town?” Yuka shrieked. Sometimes, Yuka was the calm and collected one in their friendship. This was not one of those times. “I hope you’re on your way to Jamie’s place as we speak to jump that man.”
There was an irresponsible, wanton part of Elliott that wanted to do just that.
And how. But ... “I’m not.”
“Goddammit, Elliott. This is why we can’t have nice things.”
“Don’t you think something about it still feels wrong?”
“No. I don’t.”
“Not even a little?”
“I’ll allow you to wait until she’s actually relocated, but after that, you’re out of excuses.”
“What about the woman version of Bro Code? You don’t date your friend’s exes? Or in my situation, you don’t date your stem cell donor’s ex?”
“Something tells me there’s not a formal rule for that one. You’re in uncharted territory here, Ellie.”
She groaned. “That makes it worse.”
Yuka paused for a moment; then her voice took on a more serious tone. “Answer me this: What if Carly finds someone else back home? What if she gets married and has a family? Would that change things?”
Elliott’s heart screamed the affirmative.
Yuka kept going. “Would you finally put yourself and Jamie out of your misery and give it a chance? Or does Carly get to claim him forever, even after she’s moved on? You still gonna give her dominion over Jamie and your love life one, five, ten years down the road?”
Elliott frowned, shrinking in her seat. “Jeez, Yuka.”
A heavy sigh escaped the speaker. “I’m not trying to be hard on you, but I really want you to see this for the opportunity it could be. There’s something to be said for honor and thinking of other people, and I think you’ve gone above and beyond to tread lightly in this twisted situation you were put in. And you’ve repeatedly considered Carly before yourself. But there’s also a point where self-sacrifice goes too far. They broke up. She’s moving away. This could be the second-best thing that ever happened to you. You deserve happiness, too, you know?”
“I’m happy,” Elliott said weakly.
“Sounds fake, but okay.”
“I am!”
“Who the hell do you think you’re talking to, here? You can’t lie to me. I know you only offer short-term services for clients and still haven’t signed a long-term lease there. You’re scared to put down roots with anyone or anything. I understand, because your life has been interrupted so many times, but I’m just afraid if you keep that up, you’re never going to connect anywhere. Or with anyone.”
Elliott pressed her lips together and inhaled deeply through her nose, processing Yuka’s words. She just wanted to find her own life and a steady pace here. Find a rhythm that would prove she could be here and make something of herself.
And she could do it alone. She didn’t need Jamie to be happy. Need and want were two different things, and wanting him was a question she hadn’t examined until recently.
“Your happiness is what matters most to me,” Yuka began. “But since you seem to be so obsessed with taking responsibility for that of others, I’ll ask this: Do you want Jamie to be happy?”
More than anything, but Yuka’d use that against her for sure. She settled on a less intense response: “Sure, I do.”
“What if being with you is what he wants?”
“I—I don’t know. I’m not sure that’s true.”
“Why not?”
“He hasn’t said so.” But the way he looked at her sometimes ...
It was the same way she looked at him when he wasn’t paying attention.
“What if he did? Would that change things?”
“I don’t know.”
“Honey, you’d better figure it out and soon. Because something tells me when Carly’s gone, that man’s coming for you.”
One week later, Stephen stopped by Starbucks when Elliott was about to go on break. He brought his laptop, and she spent several minutes reviewing his gorgeous photos of the Louisiana wetlands.
Her mouth dropped open when she came across a close-up of an alligator. “Oh my God. How close were you to that thing?”
Stephen laughed. “I kept a respectful distance. I was in a kayak, and most of them were along the shore, lying in the sun. I felt safer on the water than I would have walking by one of them.”
She kept going and paused at a shot of a blue heron taking flight. “I think this one’s my favorite.”
He grinned. “Mine too.”
“These are really incredible. You have a gift, Stephen.”
He shrugged, though his cheeks turned pink. “Thanks. You’re the first person I’ve shown them to.”
That felt ... special, and not like something she deserved. Especially when she’d concluded she and Stephen were better off friends.
“When do you get out of here today?” he continued.
“Seven.” She was pretty sure she knew where this was going and scrambled to find the right words to let him know where she stood.
Stephen closed his laptop and slid it in his bag, tossing out a casual, “Would you want to grab dinner tonight?”
It was strange, really, how one part of her recognized what a catch he was—creative, friendly, attractive—while another had zero interest in him beyond friendship. Even if she wanted it to, her heart just couldn’t be bothered with the great guy sitting beside her. It was better for both of them if he moved his sights elsewhere.
She swallowed, trying to come up with something honest but that wouldn’t hurt his feelings. Letting guys down wasn’t something she’d done often. Or ever, really. “Stephen, I had a great time hanging out with you, and you’re such a great guy. I just ... there’s a lot of change in my life right now, and I think I need to focus on getting my business going. You know?” All true statements. Virtually everything in her life was different from how it was this time last year, and she did need to focus on her clients. “I’ve got a lot going on, and I’m not sure I’m ready to add dating into the mix.”
Other than a brief drop in eye contact, Stephen didn’t seem too bothered by her rejection. “Definitely, no worries.” He looked at her again with a seemingly genuine smile. “If anyone understands what it takes to hustle a side business hoping it becomes a career, it’s me.”
She nodded, grateful for his easygoing nature. “Thank you. I hope we can still hang out as friends, though?”
He stood and slung his backpack across one shoulder. “This is still my favorite Starbucks, and sometimes friends slip friends unsold pastries from the day before, right?”
“They do,” she said with a laugh. She turned and eyed Suzie, who pretended not to watch them from behind the counter. “Suzie would love to hook a friend up, too, you know. Which one do you like best?”
He raised his brow in interest when she mentioned Suzie, then shot her a wide grin as he headed for the door. “All of them.”
She went back to work after he left, informed Suzie she and Stephen were most definitely not an item and that Suzie had full permission to make a move, and then went home a couple of hours later. She arrived at her apartment to find a large hardcover book propped outside her door. The cover was designed with bright colors and metallic-gold lettering.
The Book of Mythical Beasts and Magical Creatures .
The section about unicorns was marked with a bookmark that said Reading Is Magical . He’d added a slip of paper that said, “I think maybe you haven’t tried the right kind of chocolate.”
His dark, bold handwriting sent a bright warmth fizzing through her chest, suffusing her limbs with pleasant heat.
That man’s coming for you.
The meaning behind Yuka’s words sent a flare several inches lower, sending complicated sensations of guilt and want searing through her. She’d just told Stephen she couldn’t handle dating right now, but clearly her heart found that irrelevant when it came to Jamie.
She put down the book and her things and settled on the couch with her phone.
Elliott: ??Love the book, still hate chocolate. All kinds.??
Jamie: ??But you’re missing out on so much??
Elliott: ??Yuka tells me so every day??
Jamie: ??I’d like to meet this Yuka. I think I’d like her??
Elliott: ??You would. Everyone does??
Jamie: ??Hey, I have a favor to ask??
Elliott: ??Okay??
Jamie: ??I wanted to see if you’d be interested in watching Hank this weekend??
Elliott: ??Sure. Are you going somewhere???
Jamie: ??Wichita for a tree-climbing competition??
Elliott: ??A what???
Jamie: ??Arborist thing. We compete to do movement in trees and learn about new techniques and equipment and stuff??
Her lips quirked. How adorable was that?
Elliott: ??Wow. That’s?? . . . ??interesting.??
Jamie: ??It’s all very tough and manly, if you must know??
Elliott: ??You say that, but all I can picture is a bunch of kids fighting over who has the best tree house??
Jamie: ??Mine was for sure??
Elliott: ??Yeah? Build it with your dad???
Jamie: ??No??
It had taken nearly a minute for him to respond. That single unpunctuated word seemed to pack a lot of weight, and Elliott got the feeling maybe she’d said something wrong. She scrambled to think of something else to say, but another message came through.
Jamie: ??I leave pretty early Friday morning, could I bring him over Thursday???
Elliott: ??Sure, I’ll be home after five.??
Jamie: ??You’re sure you don’t mind???
Elliott: ??Are you kidding? I’d love to have him. I’m honored you trust me with him.??
Jamie: ??Honestly I’m worried he won’t want to come home??
Elliott: ??That’s a risk you’ll have to take??
Jamie: ??lol. See you Thursday.??