Chapter Twenty-Five Ella
Chapter Twenty-Five
Ella
It’s early afternoon. Zoe jumped into a car with Romeo an hour ago, waving goodbye and promising we’d see her when she got home… eventually.
Rhia and I drag ourselves out of our rooms to do at least a little exploring. It goes against our nature to waste an entire day.
We’re walking down the corridor toward the elevators when a door a few rooms away opens and a geeky-looking guy steps out. He doesn’t fit the typical luxury-tourist mold, but I suppose they come in all varieties. He gives us a polite nod as we pass and heads in the opposite direction.
“See? There are guests on this floor,” Rhia remarks as we step into the elevator.
When we reach the parking lot and climb into our little red Fiat Panda, Rhia’s phone rings inside her bag. She checks the caller ID and wrinkles her forehead.
“Shoot. It’s the office. I told them to call only if there’s an emergency,” she says, a flicker of concern crossing her face.
“Go ahead. Answer it,” I tell her.
I’m impressed her phone hasn’t rung once all week. She has capable staff, but they rely heavily on her direction.
She listens intently. Her expression shifts from concerned to astonished to radiant… and then back to concerned.
“Oh my god, that’s one hell of an opportunity. When do they want the proposal? … Next Monday? That’s impossible. Email me all the details immediately,” she says before ending the call.
“What’s going on? You look thrilled and terrified at the same time.”
“You’re not wrong. Oh my god, Ella… oh my fucking god.” She squeals and does her strange little happy dance. It’s the second time I’ve seen it today. Apparently, that trait runs in the family.
“I need to sit down. Let’s get a drink.” She presses a hand to her chest like she’s trying to steady her heartbeat.
So we lock up the car again and head back inside, making our way to the hotel bar.
Once we’re seated, I turn to my best friend expectantly.
“What’s going on?”
“That was Tim,” Rhia says.
Tim is her right-hand man. He’s been running things while she’s away.
“Do you remember the boutique hotel chain I’ve been trying to land since I started my company?”
I shake my head.
“They’re all over Europe. Unique properties only. Nothing generic. They rotate their PR teams regularly to keep their campaigns fresh and innovative, and every so often they invite agencies to tender. We’ve never even made the shortlist before. But guess what?”
She drains her drink in one go and fans herself dramatically.
“They just called. They want us to tender for their next PR campaign. Ella, this is huge. This could be the breakthrough I’ve been waiting for. If we win this, it puts us on the international stage. After that, there’s no ceiling.”
“That’s incredible.” I feel her excitement like it’s my own.
No one deserves this more. Rhia pours everything into her work. I’ve always known it would pay off.
We order another round.
“We have to celebrate,” I declare.
“Yes, but we have to celebrate now,” she corrects. “Once Tim sends the documents, I need to go through everything and start building a strategy. We’ve got one week to come up with something unforgettable. I’m sorry, sweets, but I can’t do dinner tonight.”
Disappointment flickers before I can hide it. I don’t really want to go out alone. But hiding in my room with a book feels worse.
“Don’t worry about me. This is important. You need to focus.” And I mean it, even if it complicates things.
“You’re the best.” She reaches across the table and squeezes my hand. “Why don’t you call Tiero and go out with him?”
“Hmm,” I reply noncommittally. Good thing I haven’t mentioned that he already wants to see me again. Otherwise she would probably call him herself.
Our drinks arrive, and we clink glasses.
“To making the shortlist,” I say as we sip the cool sweetness. “What changed their minds?”
“Who cares?” she says with a grin. “All that matters is we’re one of three agencies. I’ll blow them away. That account is mine.”
Her phone pings. She glances at the screen and squeals. “There it is.”
She really loves what she does. Owning her own company has not been easy, but she’s thriving, and so is the business. I couldn’t be prouder of her.
Rhia rises and heads for the stairs, already lost in thought. I follow.
“I’ll spend the afternoon by the pool and read,” I say, mostly to myself. She’s already deep into the documents Tim just sent.
Changing into my blue bikini, I grab my book and phone and head to the pool, settling onto a chaise under an umbrella. I start reading, but my eyelids grow heavy, and I drift off.
A ping wakes me. My phone vibrates on the small table beside me. I stare at it for a moment.
Even without looking, I know who it is. We exchanged numbers last night at the pub. I’m almost surprised it took him this long.
I draw in a slow breath, pick up the phone, and open the message.
Tiero: Princess, I’ll pick you up for dinner at seven. Can’t wait to see you.
A small smile tugs at my lips.
Why does this man never ask?
Then again, he does not strike me as someone who asks. He decides, and people follow.
It irritates me that he assumes control of my evening. And yet there is something undeniably attractive about the certainty in his tone. My body responds before my pride can object.
Part of me had hoped he would call. I miss the sound of his voice, that deep, steady timbre. The distance I was so determined to create this morning suddenly feels unnecessary.
Rhia being buried in work gives me the perfect excuse to abandon my resolution.
Without sightseeing to distract me, he’s been at the forefront of my thoughts all day. The pull between us doesn’t weaken with space. If anything, it sharpens.
The spark he lit the first time our eyes met has turned into something steadier now. Warmer. Stronger.
Heat spreads through me, and it has nothing to do with the sun.
I need to cool off.
I rise and slip into the water, swimming to the edge near the cliff and letting my gaze drift over the endless blue of the sea. The salt air and smooth movement of the waves quiet my mind.
When I finally climb out, I lie back on the chaise and let the sun dry my skin.
Twenty minutes pass before I reply. I don’t want to sound too eager.
Me: Okay. See you then.