43. Chapter 43
43
Quite A Show
When my eyes flutter open the next morning and Leo’s body is still next to mine, I smile. It’s a real smile; I’m happy, truly happy, for the first time in a long time, despite the past few months feeling like they would never end.
I shift to grab my phone like I always do when I wake up, only for Leo’s arms to wrap around my waist and pull me back into him.
I don’t stop the giggle that comes out; I can’t. I’m too damn happy he’s here with me.
“Where do you think you’re going?” He nips at my ear. “Trying to sneak off and leave me already?”
“I would never do that.”
“You little liar,” Leo chuckles. “After we had sex for the first time, you bolted so fast, I woke up without you.”
I roll my eyes, but he can’t see it. “I bet you missed me.”
“I didn't back then, but I would now.”
I turn my head to face his. “You would?”
“Did you forget all the shit I said last night already? Oh, darling, we must work on that memory of yours. If I’m that forgettable—”
I lightly smack his arm. “You’re not, Leo. This new dynamic is going to take some getting used to.”
“I know, love, but it’s going to be fine,” he tells me. “Do you need your phone to tell your friends about us? You know as well as I do none of them are going to be surprised. I, for one, would love to hear what Grant thinks—”
I put my hand over his mouth. “I think we need to worry about your sister first. She might not be up, so if you want to sneak out now, you can.”
“Shit, you’re right,” he says as he gets out of bed, throwing his clothes on. “I can come over later, and we can tell her together.”
I smile. Together . “That sounds good.”
I grab my pajamas from the floor and throw them back on before Leo and I huddle behind my door. He presses a kiss to my lips before he steps out, quietly padding across the small hallway between his old room and mine before a voice permeates my ears.
“You two put on quite a show last night, I must say.” Alissa sips from her mug as she looks between us, a huge smile on her face. “It felt like I had my own version of reality television in my flat!”
“Shit,” is all Leo can say.
“Hi, Liss,” I say, feeling like I’ve been caught doing something I shouldn't have.
“It’s about damn time you two got together. I swear, Grant, Paige, and I have been waiting for this to happen since Halloween.”
“What? I thought you were drunk on Halloween?”
Alissa cocks her head at me. “Not this year. The one at Grand Mountain. You two trying to kill one another is practically foreplay. It was bound to happen.” She shifts her gaze to her brother. “And don’t think I didn't notice how you looked at her in London.”
“So, you’re not mad?” Leo questions his sister.
“Why would I be mad?”
“Because I’m shagging your best friend and roommate?”
She sets her mug down on the table. “Just don’t hurt her, or I’ll have to punch you.” She stands from the couch before heading to the kitchen. “Do you guys want some food? Tea?”
I don’t know why I expected Alissa to react similarly to Hads when she found out about Oliver and Paige, but that situation was far more tense than Leo and me. At least there’s no dead bodies.
“Sure, Liss,” I say as I sit on one of our stools. “I could use some coffee.”
Leo takes over and starts making my coffee for me, just how I like it, and I smile, loving that he knows how I take it. I really underestimated him before, and I hate that it took me so long to see the kind of guy he really is.
Perfect—for me, at least. Attentive as fuck and sweet. Leo Zimmerman is a sweet guy.
“Here, darling,” Leo says as he slides the mug I always use in the mornings toward me.
“What are you guys going to do about work? Unless you no longer work together. It’s been a hectic few weeks,” Liss says as she grabs some stuff from the fridge to make avocado toast for the three of us.
“I haven't really thought that far ahead,” I say, my voice defeated. “I haven't been liking work lately with the whole Brody situation.”
Leo’s eyes narrow at me. “I could try to find another job—or beat the shit out the guy so he doesn't say anything.”
I smile at him willing to do all that for me. “No, babe, it’s okay. I think…” I trail off, the thought in my head but unsure if I want to say it out loud.
“Why don’t you work with authors full-time, Ells? I know you love it, and it would all be on your terms. You’d be your own boss. Doesn't that sound perfect?” Alissa asks me.
I sigh heavily. “I’ve been thinking about it, but it doesn't bring in that much money yet. It’s enough to cover rent and such, but I worry about all the other expenses. What if—”
Leo’s hands wrap around my waist as I feel him come behind me. “You’re insanely talented, Ella. Any author out there would be lucky to work with you.”
“You guys are disgusting, but he’s right,” Alissa says as she mashes an avocado. “You have lots of connections already, Ella. Imagine what you could do working on it full-time.” She throws me a wink.
“I guess I could do it, but is it right to leave Loft Media after all the years I’ve put in? Could I do that?” It terrifies me to jump into the unknown, unsure if it will actually work. If it doesn't, I would be out of money, a job, and I don’t know what would happen. That’s terrifying.
But I would love my job again instead of hating going into work every single day…
“You can do whatever is best for you, Ella. That’s all that matters,” Alissa says as she plates our breakfast for us.
“But what about rent? And what if my car breaks down and I can’t pay for it? Or what if my dad needs help with—”
Leo spins me around on the stool. “Darling, breathe for me.”
“Okay,” I say as I take a few deep breaths. “Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize, Ells. It’s scary, but I believe in you. The work you put out is good, and you know the trends from working in marketing your entire adult life.”
I look up at Leo leaning against the kitchen island. “And what will you do?”
“I’m going to stay and ruin the fucker.” He smiles. “Brody is a terrible person, and I’m sure I can fuck with him a little without getting fired.”
“If anyone can, it’s you, brother.” She smirks at him. “I did grow up with you, and you’re a menace when you want to be.”
“Oh, I’m well aware of that,” I smile.
“Will you two hush up and listen to me for a second?” Leo drags a hand through his hair. “Ella, you’re insanely talented, and if you need some help with your rent, I can cover it.”
“But—”
“I know you hate taking money from people, but it’s only a last resort because, knowing you, you have enough money saved—you’ve probably been thinking about doing this for forever. Am I right?”
I say nothing because he already knows he’s right. I’ve always had a safety net of money saved up that I haven't touched. I started it when I was young, as my just in case fund, and thankfully, I’ve never needed to touch it.
But maybe I could use it to sustain me until business picks up.
No, not maybe. This is what I’ve always wanted to do, and I’m going to do it.
“Okay. I’ll turn my two weeks in on Monday.” Oddly enough, I’m going to miss this job, but it hasn't been bringing me anything but stress lately. I’m not happy there; I’m comfortable.
But now, heading into this new chapter, I feel better already.
I’m paving the path I’ve wanted to walk down since I was young, and I don’t feel guilty about it. I only feel excitement about what’s to come.
“You’re going to be amazing, Ells.” Alissa smiles at me before biting her toast.
Leo leans down to hug me from behind again. I never expected him to be this touchy in a relationship, but I like it. “I’m so proud of you, Ella.”
I smile, loving this man who nuzzles his head into my neck before kissing the top of my forehead and sitting next to me.
And for the rest of the morning, I hang out, laugh, and smile with my best friend and my boyfriend as we chat and live our lives together.
Best morning ever.