Chapter 11 #3
Alba disappeared into the bathroom, the door clicking shut behind her, and Ellie seized the moment to breathe. She sat back on her heels and rubbed both hands over her face, exhaling a slow breath that felt like it had been trapped in her chest for several minutes.
What are you doing?
That question had been circling her mind all afternoon.
Actually, if she was being honest with herself, it had started yesterday when Alba had stepped into her bedroom and helped her decide what to pack.
Since then, Ellie had found herself noticing things she hadn’t noticed before.
Small things. Like the way Alba laughed with her whole body, as though the sound had to travel through her entirely before escaping.
Or how easy it was to talk to her, even about things Ellie usually kept carefully locked away.
Or the way Ellie suddenly felt comfortable in her own home again whenever Alba was there.
That alone should have been enough of a warning sign, but it hadn’t been. Because now here they were. Sharing a room and a bed…spending an entire weekend together. And Ellie had absolutely no idea what she was supposed to do with the way she felt about that.
The bathroom door opened, and Ellie looked up.
Alba stepped back into the room wearing the black dress, smoothing the fabric over her hips as she stepped in front of the mirror.
Ellie’s brain stopped functioning for a moment.
The dress fit her perfectly. Simple, elegant, and effortless.
It was one of those dresses that looked as though it had been made specifically for the person wearing it.
Ellie realised she hadn’t blinked in several seconds…or breathed.
“The bathroom is all yours,” Alba said as she adjusted one of her straps.
Ellie cleared her throat. “Thank you.”
“Well?” Alba glanced over her shoulder as she caught Ellie’s reflection in the mirror. “Do I pass inspection?”
Ellie stood slowly, praying that her voice didn’t betray what was currently happening inside her head. Right now, she genuinely had no idea what could come out of her mouth. Alba looked…wow. “You definitely pass inspection.”
“You’re sure?”
“It looks great.” Ellie stepped closer, stopping a few feet behind her. “You look great.”
She really did. Insanely great. Which wasn’t very helpful to Ellie at all because not only did it mean she was going to spend most of the evening trying not to stare, it also meant she would be standing beside the utterly delectable Alba Clifford while feeling increasingly aware of how unfairly attractive she was.
“Well, I guess it’s your turn to judge now.” Ellie reached into the wardrobe and took her own dress from the hanger. “Though you’ve already seen my dress, so don’t expect some big reveal.”
Alba leaned against the desk, folding her arms casually as Ellie slipped into the bathroom.
She closed the door behind her and leaned against it, her heart beating far faster and harder than it had in a long time.
Get a grip.
She pushed herself away from the door and changed into the blue dress Alba had chosen yesterday. The fabric slid smoothly into place as she pulled it down, and Ellie instinctively ghosted her palms along the material as she looked at her reflection.
Thank God it still fit. It had been one of her favourites once. Back when she’d gone out more, back when evenings like this had been ordinary. She studied herself in the mirror, adjusting the straps and smoothing the fabric again.
Then she took a steady breath.
Alright.
Bracing herself for whatever came next, Ellie opened the door and stepped back into the room. The moment Alba looked up, Ellie noted just how painfully still she’d gone.
She paused halfway across the room. “Well?”
Alba watched her, then blinked suddenly, clearly pulling herself back into the room. “Right. Your dress definitely wins.”
Ellie lifted a brow. “That wasn’t exactly the detailed critique I was expecting.”
Alba ran a hand through her hair, looking faintly flustered. “I’m sorry, I was just—” She gestured vaguely. “—thinking.”
Ellie tilted her head. “About?”
“Nothing important.” Alba pushed away from the desk and crossed the room, stopping beside Ellie. “You clean up well, Mrs Hamilton.”
Ellie smiled. “So do you, Ms Clifford.”
They stood in the middle of the room, a little closer than either of them had been a few seconds ago. Ellie could feel the warmth radiating from Alba’s skin, her heart giving an inconvenient little flutter.
Then Alba bent to pick up her shoes, breaking the moment entirely.
Ellie exhaled slowly. Honestly, what was wrong with her? It didn’t make any sense. But then again, very little in Ellie’s life had made sense in the last two years.
“Come on. Let’s go and eat before I change my mind and order room service.”
Ellie checked that she had everything she needed, grabbed her clutch from the bed, and followed Alba to the door.
When Alba stepped out into the hallway ahead of her, Ellie lingered just long enough to allow herself one final glance. The dress and the way Alba moved in it. The way the light caught in her hair as she turned down the corridor.
Ellie shook her head and stepped out after her.
This weekend may not be as relaxing as you’re hoping it’ll be.