Chapter 23 #2
It’s time to come clean. I take a deep breath and slide my hands down my legs and over my knees.
“I should have told you both this way before now,” I begin.
My belly feels sick, and my heart is pounding.
Why is this hard? I’m an adult, and I have some news about my life.
It shouldn’t be difficult to share with my parents. They love me.
“Yes?” Mom prods.
I can’t look at the dolls. I feel like they’re judging me for taking so long to share this news. “That day you called me and asked me to come help with the festival... I had just been fired, and Geoff had dumped me the night before.”
Mom’s face doesn’t move an inch. “We know, dear.”
Wait. What? “You knew?”
“Yes, Geoff texted us and told us you would probably need us.”
“ Geoff texted you?” I’m frowning, because how did Geoff even have Mom’s number?
“We traded numbers the last time we were in the city,” Mom replies. “I don’t like to think of you spending time with people I don’t know and can’t contact, dear.”
For his part, Dad looks a little guilty. He shifts on his feet. “We thought about telling you we knew but figured you’d tell us when you were ready.”
“I... I... thought you’d be disappointed in me.” Wow. That was more difficult to say than I thought it would be.
“Disappointed?” Mom shakes her head. “I never liked Geoff, dear. I thought you knew that.”
“No, not disappointed about Geoff, disappointed that I got fired.”
“Yes, how exactly did that happen?” Dad’s brow is furrowed.
So, Geoff left out that part, did he? Figures.
I spend the next fifteen minutes explaining to Mom and Dad exactly what happened.
They are both very displeased at the news that Geoff stole my ideas, lied, and got me fired, but thankfully they don’t remind me again that they never liked him.
I think everyone is now in agreement that Geoff is a douche.
“All that matters is that you’re here now and the festival has been a wonderful success. You can stay as long as you want, dear.”
I bite my lip. “Steve hasn’t called, but if he does, do you think I should take my old job back?”
“That’s got to be your decision,” Mom says. But then she sighs. “But your dad and I would sure love you to stay.”
Stay? Like stay here ? Work here? Why has that thought never occurred to me until now? I mean, OnlyFans isn’t my only option. I could stay and plan events for the inn and orchard.
My heart clenches, and I realize that Mom has never said that she wants me to stay before. I mean, I always guessed it, but she’s never been this blunt. I hug her. “I’ll think about it, Mom. I promise.”
She smiles at me. “You have to follow your heart, Ellie.”
I love sayings like that. I just wish it was as easy to know how to do it as to say it.
A thought occurs to me.
“Mom, do you think I’m afraid of success?” This question has been plaguing me since Drunk Aiden and I talked about it. And my mom knows me better than anyone. She should be able to answer it.
“No, dear.” Mom shakes her head. “But sometimes in life there comes a time when you have to redefine what success means to you.”
I expel my breath. Redefine success? I’m about to ask Mom a follow-up question, when the bell rings from the front desk. Mom hops to her feet. She hugs me again quickly. “Don’t worry, dear. Everything will be okay.”
It’s close to what Sera said with the tarot cards but more mom-like. Mom leaves for the front desk, and Dad and I just stare at each other.
“So, what do you think of the festival, Dad?”
“I think Pumpkin’s made more money this weekend than I have in the last year,” Dad says, an ironic smile on his lips.
“Same,” I say. “Social media is a weird, weird place.”
“Don’t get me wrong.” Dad stands, steps over, and kisses me atop the head. “I’m thankful for it. We needed the business. Now. Let’s go get ready for the ball,” he says. “I can’t stay in here with these dolls staring at me.”
Agree.
I hug Dad and leave the Doll Room to walk through the living room to the door that leads up to the apartment.
I push open the door and begin the long, slow march upstairs.
I have to drag myself up the final steps.
Sera is right. I am tired. Exhausted, really.
I didn’t get much sleep, and it’s been a long day.
I saw nearly everyone from town today, and they all congratulated me on the success of the festival and told me how great it was.
It made me feel good. It made me feel useful.
They all assured me they’ll be at the ball tonight. I am looking forward to it.
Like I told Mom minutes ago, Steve hasn’t called. It’s probably not happening. Maybe Geoff was just trying to talk him into rehiring me. Who knows? But it’s nearly six, and the Harvest Ball starts at seven. I need to get ready and change my clothes.
I take a shower, blow-dry my hair, and toss on the cute little down-homey farm-girl-like dress I ordered off the internet last week for tonight.
I’m normally not one to buy clothes online, but when I asked Charlotte where she shops, she recommended a site.
I figured, when in Rome... The dress I ordered is a red-and-white gingham mini with puff sleeves.
I pair it with some cowboy boots. I’m ready for a hootenanny. Or at least a Harvest Ball in a barn.
I’m just walking out of the bathroom when the door to the apartment opens and Aiden steps in. I haven’t seen him since this morning, but I’ve been thinking about him all day. His hair has fallen over one eye, and my chest aches. I want him again. I can’t help it.
“Hi there,” he says, giving me that smile that makes my knees buckle. He looks me up and down. “You look amazing.”
“Hi,” I reply. “Thank you.”
“Did you hear how much we made today?” he continues. “It’s unbelievable.”
“Yeah, pretty great. Pumpkin can start his own hedge fund. And don’t put it past him.” I push my hand through my hair. “How was the meeting with the distributor?”
“He gave me some things to think about.”
I nod. “Did he make an offer?” I must know.
“Not officially, but he gave me a ballpark.”
I lift my brows. “Care to share?”
Aiden sucks in a breath and slowly expels it. “Enough to never have to work another day in my life. Or Charlotte or Mom and Dad either.”
“Really?” I say. I am desperately trying to stop thinking about his mouth at my ear last night or his hand on my—
“Yeah, well, that is, if we keep living our simple lives out here. Not buying Park Avenue penthouses for each of us or anything like that.”
“I get it,” I say. “That’s great.” I clear my throat and swallow. I am so effed. We can no longer just be partners or friends. All I can think about is rolling around in the sheets with this man.
“Yeah, maybe.” He steps toward me and takes my hands. “Can we talk now?”
“Definitely.” Though I still have no idea what I’m going to say.
I may have thought about him all day, but I came to zero conclusions.
I mean, if Aiden is my soulmate, how would we ever make it work?
Mom wants me to stay, but I don’t know if that’s what I want.
I want to hear Steve’s offer, honestly. And if it happens and if I take it, it’s complicated.
New York City to Long Island may only be a train ride away, but where would Aiden and I live?
There is more than one problem with the difference in our lifestyles.
Maybe we can have a weekend sex pact? I’m not exactly sure how to bring that up, though. Seems like it might be offensive.
I decide to push those thoughts aside for the time being. I need to hear Aiden out.
He’s giving me a knowing, sexy grin, and I can’t help but want to kiss him. “I really enjoyed last night,” he says. “ And this morning. ”
I blush. “I did too.”
“Ellie, listen, I—”
A knock sounds on the door, and it might as well be someone pounding. It’s that startling.
“Who is it?” I call, scrunching my eyes closed in agony.
“Maria!”
I give Aiden an apologetic look and mouth the word sorry , then I pull away from him and hurry to the door.
The minute I open it, Maria steps in. She’s wearing a slay-all-day set of chic overalls (trust me) with wide legs, a big white puffy shirt, designer boots, and a straw hat that somehow looks super expensive. Maria can even make farmer clothes look good.
“I came to get you for the ball,” she announces. “You’re my date, aren’t you?”
She glances between the two of us for a few seconds and then gives me a look that tells me she knows we had sex.
And I know she knows. And I’m not even going to question how she knows, because I’m positive my alchemy has changed since last night.
I’m surprised more people haven’t asked me about it today, actually.
I might as well be wearing a sign around my neck. I got laid. Ask me how.
“Yes! Yes, I am your date,” I hasten to reply.
At this point I want nothing more than to hustle Maria out of the door, because the last time she and I were alone with Aiden I managed to embarrass the crap out of myself.
I may be sober right now, but I’m not risking it.
“Let’s go.” I grab my bag. “See you later, Aiden?” And the look I give him implies that I know we still need to talk.
“Yeah,” he says. “See ya.”