Chapter 31 Growth #2
“Fine,” I said with a soft laugh. “Do whatever you want. Just… remind me to text El and tell him I’m dressing up, so he better plan something nice.”
“You won’t need to,” Esther said with a knowing smile. “Something tells me he has it covered.”
?
“And then the girl had a full-blown crash out in the middle of the salon,” I said, still half in disbelief.
“Seriously?” El asked, his tone laced with concern, even through the phone.
“Seriously, Puddin’. She said she didn’t like me. Called me a drunk. Said I was just like Ryan. Then yanked the extensions out of my hands in front of clients.”
“All that because I sent you flowers?”
“Apparently,” I muttered, still irritated.
“Jesus,” he breathed.
“I know.” I exhaled hard, leaning my head against the cool car window as the driver turned into the familiar tree-lined avenue.
“I had to kick her off the model list for the expo,” I added.
“There was no other choice. I can’t let that mess up everything me and the other girls have worked so hard for. ”
There was a pause. I could almost hear him clenching his jaw on the other end.
“Damn.” His voice was lower now. “I’m so sorry, baby. That’s… a lot. Are you okay?”
I glanced down at my dress, smoothing the fabric over my lap.
“I’m good now,” I said gently. “Just had to get it off my chest. But let’s not make it the focus of tonight.”
“It definitely won’t be,” he promised, voice warm and sure in my ear. “Are you here?”
“Pulling up now,” I said, just as the car slowed to a stop in front of Tony’s. The valet opened the door, and I stepped out into the evening air. “And thank you for sending the ride, by the way. Classy touch, Mr. Greene.”
“Of course,” he said, and I could hear the smile in his voice. “When you get inside, give the hostess my name.”
My brow furrowed as I walked toward the entrance. “Why? Can’t you just tell me where you’re sitting?”
“New rules, baby. She’s gotta escort you over.”
“Since when?” I asked, suspicious.
He chuckled. “So stubborn. Let the lady do her job.”
I rolled my eyes, even though I was smiling. “Fine. I’ll be there soon.”
“I love you, Elliot,” he said quietly.
“Love you too, baby.” My heart softened. “See you in a minute.”
When I walked into the restaurant, I paused just inside the entrance, smoothing a hand over my dress and adjusting one of my earrings.
A hostess in a sleek black dress stepped forward, tablet in hand. “Good evening. May I help you?”
“Yes,” I smiled. “I’m meeting someone. Table for Elliot Greene.”
She glanced down at her tablet and then back up at me with a gentle smile. “Of course, Ms. Sawyer. We’ve been expecting you. Please, follow me.”
I followed her through the softly lit dining room, my heels clicking against the hardwood floor. I noticed something strange—there was no jazz band tonight. Even though it was Monday, and Tony’s never missed a jazz night. The stage was empty. I frowned a little but kept walking.
Instead of heading toward the back like usual, the hostess veered left—toward the private elevator I didn’t even realize they had. My steps slowed.
“Um… what’s going on?” I asked. “Where are we going?”
“I’m sorry,” she replied smoothly. “The first floor is packed tonight, so we’ve reserved a table for you upstairs.”
“You have a second floor?”
She nodded politely. “Mostly for private events.” She tapped the elevator button, and I stepped in beside her, still unsure of what was happening. When the elevator dinged, she stepped out and guided me to a pair of grand double doors.
She paused, then turned to me with a smile. “Your table’s just inside. Enjoy your evening.”
I blinked. “Wait, how am I supposed to find it?”
Her smile deepened as she stepped back toward the elevator. “You’ll find it. You look gorgeous, by the way. Have a goodnight, Ms. Sawyer.”
Before I could ask another question, the elevator closed behind her, leaving me alone in front of the doors.
I pushed them open slowly, revealing a narrow, dimly lit hallway.
Candlelight flickered along the walls, guiding me forward like stars lining a quiet path.
The scent of sandalwood and something sweeter—jasmine maybe—floated through the air.
At the far end, a single door stood slightly ajar, and the warm sound of jazz music slipped through the crack, pulling me in.
I took a tentative step forward, then another, heels echoing softly against the polished wood floor. As I moved, I noticed the walls lined with framed portraits. Not just any portraits.
They were of us. Me and El.
Candid moments frozen in time. I stopped in front of one. It was my favorite—him kissing my temple while I was turned away.
“El?” I called aloud.
“Hi, baby.” His voice floated out from behind the single door.
I stepped closer, hand on the knob. “What’s going on?”
“Come see.”
My eyes pooled, and I bit my lip to stop the tears. Johanna would kill me if she knew I messed up the makeup she and London fought over. But I couldn’t help it. My shaky hand extended over my core, crawling at my stomach to keep me standing.
One foot after another. One last time.
I pushed the door open slowly.
Inside, the room was bathed in golden light as the jazz band played in the corner. A low table sat in the center of the room, surrounded by my favorite combination of flowers. In the middle of the floor, just beyond the flickering candles, stood El.
He looked nervous. And then he smiled.
As I stepped inside, the door eased shut behind me with a gentle click. I tried my best to keep the tears in check but it was no use.
“El…” My breath hitched.
He took one step forward, then another—until he was in front of me. His hand reached up and brushed away the tears I hadn’t even realized were still clinging to my lashes. His thumb moved tenderly over my cheek, and I leaned into the touch without thinking, like a muscle memory.
“Long day?” El asked gently.
I nodded, barely able to speak.
“Well,” he said, a small smile curving his lips, “it doesn’t show. You look beautiful.”
A shaky laugh slipped out of me, and I bit down on my bottom lip, trying to keep it from trembling.
“What’s going on, Elliot?” I asked softly.
He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he took a slow breath… then slipped his hand into his jacket pocket.
“I’ve loved you in every form, Ellie,” he said, his eyes never leaving mine.
“I loved you in silence. I loved you when you didn’t love yourself, when you were guarded and angry, when your walls were too high for anyone to climb.
I loved you when you laughed so hard your nose scrunched up and when you cried until your shoulders shook.
I loved you on your worst days and your best ones.
And I will keep loving you through every future version of us. ”
He reached for my hand, pressing his lips to my knuckles. “You are my favorite story, my soft place to land, my safest secret and closest friend. There’s not a timeline where I don’t choose you, Ellie.”
He dropped to one knee, and my hands flew to my mouth.
“I don’t want another day without you. Not another morning, not another night. Not ever.” He pulled me in closer by my hand before opening the ring box.
“Will you marry me, Elliot Sawyer?”
My breath caught somewhere between my ribs. My hands trembled. His words echoed, loud and impossible to ignore, as if the whole world had gone still just to hold this moment for us.
I stared at him—this man who had seen me at my messiest, held me through the worst, loved me harder than I thought I could ever let someone love me. The man I loved.
“Yes,” I whispered. Then louder and surer. “Yes, El. Of course, yes.”
Relief bloomed across his face as he slid the ring onto my finger.
And then he stood and pulled me into him, arms wrapping tight around my waist. My feet left the ground as he kissed me, deep and breathlessly.
“I love you,” I said against his lips, a laugh breaking through my tears. “I love you so much, Elliot.”
He rested his forehead against mine. “I love you too, Elliot.”
I closed my eyes. “We’re really doing this.”
“We are,” he reassured.
Somewhere behind us, the soft hum of jazz played on. I held onto him tighter, my whole body trembling with joy. My heart felt so full it might’ve burst.
And at that moment, I knew this was it. My beginning and my always.