Chapter 2 #3
She set her phone down on the bar and exhaled a deep breath. Truthfully, she had no idea who she should approach next, but her attention kept drifting back to Ellie. There was something unsettling about seeing the confident, composed headmistress wiping away tears in the middle of a crowded bar.
Until a few minutes ago, Ellie had been laughing with everyone else. She’d been charming and seemingly relaxed. But now? Alba couldn’t help but wonder what had changed.
Her phone pinged just as Ellie pushed her chair back and stood. She kept her head lowered as she moved away from the table and weaved through the crowd. For a moment, she looked as though she was at risk of stumbling as she headed down the corridor where the bathrooms were located.
I’m so proud of you for getting out of that marriage. This is the best thing for you. A fresh start and another chance to find love x
Alba stared at the message.
Love. That word felt strange now…distant, even. After five turbulent years with Audrey, Alba had no interest in love anymore. Not the kind that tied her life to someone else’s moods, expectations, or control. She wanted something simpler. She wanted freedom and peace.
A fresh start I can get on board with. Love can take a back seat x
She slipped her phone back into her bag and slid off the stool. Maybe Ellie was fine, maybe it was nothing, but Alba couldn’t quite ignore the instinct telling her to check. Ellie had been nothing but kind to her so far. Returning that kindness didn’t make her nosy.
Crossing the floor, Alba reached the hallway marked with the bathroom sign and pushed the door open.
Ellie stood inside, halfway between the sinks and the stalls. Her hands were clasped behind her neck as she stared up at the ceiling, breathing slowly.
“Ellie, are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine.” Ellie quickly stepped into one of the stalls and locked the door. “I’ll be out now. I believe it’s my round.”
“Do you need to talk? I’m a great listener.”
Was she? That felt like a bold claim to make. People rarely came to Alba for advice.
Yeah, because your bitch of an ex-wife turned people against you!
“Or I can leave you alone if you’d rather. It’s your call.”
The lock clicked open, and Ellie stepped out moments later, dabbing at her eyes with a tissue she’d pulled from the pocket of her trousers. “Give it a few days, and they’ll all have you caught up on my life.”
“I don’t generally listen to what people have to say.
Not unless it comes directly from the source, anyway.
” Alba leaned casually against the sinks as Ellie moved towards the mirror to fix her makeup.
Though truthfully, she didn’t look any less beautiful than she had when she’d first arrived at Alba’s house earlier that evening.
“And whatever it is that they say, just remember that you are the boss here.”
“They mean well, but my God, I’m tired of hearing about how I should feel or what I should do whenever one of them manages to get me alone.
” Ellie washed her hands, the running water briefly filling the quiet space.
“All I want is for one night to run smoothly. To sit in a bar and have fun. It seems that’s too complicated for people to understand, though. ”
“Look, if this is about your own divorce, I’m happy to listen.” She’s just told you she wants to laugh and have fun! Alba shook her head. “But I don’t think that’s what you want tonight, so why don’t we do exactly what you’ve just suggested and have fun?”
“With that lot?” Ellie laughed. “You’ve got no chance. They all like to think of themselves as therapists, but I don’t need a therapist. I pay enough for a therapist outside of work.”
Fuck. Ellie’s divorce must have been brutal if she was still seeing a therapist because of it.
“There are plenty of other bars that would take our money.” Alba lifted a shoulder, studying Ellie’s expression as they stood there facing one another. “I’m up for it if you are. Colin has a babysitter tonight, so I don’t have to rush back.”
“A babysitter,” Ellie said as she cocked her head, a sexy smirk playing on her lips. Oh, shit. “He is your baby, isn’t he?”
“Of course he is. Colin’s the only one that’s ever been there for me and not judged me.”
Ellie crumpled the paper towel in her hand and tossed it into the nearby bin. “Should we sneak out of here?”
Alba grinned. She loved that. The previous headmistress she’d worked under had been nothing short of a tyrant.
But Ellie? Ellie was completely different.
It didn’t hurt that she was gorgeous either…
or that Alba found it so very easy to look at her.
But more than that, Alba had a feeling they would become good friends somewhere down the line. “Is that what you want to do?”
Ellie narrowed her eyes. “Yes.”
“Come on then. I can think of a hundred different bars that we could just sit in and chat.” Alba didn’t want Ellie to think she was trying to pry into whatever had happened earlier, but she also wanted Ellie to know she could be there if needed. “Or somewhere to dance. Whatever you prefer.”
Ellie stepped closer and placed a gentle hand on Alba’s shoulder. “I think you and I are going to get on very well.”