Forever Mine (Joe & Ella 2)

I didn’t see how there could be a good situation for this to happen. Someone wanted him dead and they were willing to harm others to do it. Why would someone feel so hell bent on destroying Joe that way? It was beyond my comprehension.

“Will you let me know if you find out anything?” I asked Max, “and tell him I send my love and hope he feels better soon.”

“I will.” Max began to whisper down the line, “You know I thought he’d done this deliberately. He’s missing you terribly Ella, he’s been…well, broken… since that night out.”

Jeez I bet his girlfriend would love hearing that. No wonder she didn’t even look at me at the hospital. I was the ultimate witch of an ex.

“I’ll speak to you soon Max.” I said not knowing what else I could say then I hung up the phone.

23

Two weeks later…

“So Ella, a little birdy told me you might have a hot date tonight?” Chris and I were standing in the office kitchen making coffee and pigging out on the doughnuts

Eric had left out for us to celebrate his birthday.

“Is nothing a secret in my life anymore?” I joked squinting my eyes accusingly at him.

“Not when Ed and I are involved no it isn’t!” He spluttered in between bites, “So where is the luscious Alistair taking you?”

“He said there’s a little Italian place close to where he lives that he wanted to show me, then who knows? Maybe on to somewhere else or home alone for an early night if he turns out to be a crazed weirdo.”

“I highly doubt that, Ed has known him for years, says he’s one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. This could be it for you Ella.” Chris held up two fingers crossed for luck but I just shook my head.

“Calm down cupid, it’s one date and I’m not even sure I still want to go. I feel a bit uneasy about it to be honest.”

“Why would you pull out chick?” Chris put his hands on his hips and gave me his best dead panned disapproving face to show me he wasn’t impressed with my revelation. “Just give the guy a chance okay, I promise I’ll back off today, but you can’t bail Ella, that’d be rude and that’s not you Hun.”

I sighed, he was right. I couldn’t let Alistair down, but nothing about this date tonight felt easy. I had nerves and not good ones like the butterflies you get when you are excited to see someone you really like, more like dread. What if we had nothing to talk about? What if he expected more from me than I was willing to give? I was overthinking everything, I needed to start chilling out. ‘Remember forward thinking Ella, focus on the now and the new you’, I told myself confidently. You have to move on.

When I got home later that evening I took a long hot shower and got myself ready, playing Dua Lipa to give me some much needed diva power. I chose a light blue chiffon dress, not too short but playful enough to suit a restaurant and a club if needed. Then I fluffed my hair and left it down, covering my shoulders and back with my big bouncy curls. Robyn had brought a bottle of wine home to help steady my nerves and I was gulping it down like water.

“Anyone would think you were going to the gallows, not for a date with a hot guy, you look terrified!” Robyn joked as I downed the last mouthful of wine in my glass.

“I feel terrified, what if I make a fool of myself tonight?”

“It’ll give you something to laugh about. Listen Hun, it’s a fun night out with a guy, just go with the flow, and see what happens.”

Robyn was right, it was just dinner. The doorbell rang and my heart jumped into my mouth.

“Crap he’s early.” I gasped looking at Robyn nervously.

“So what? You’re ready.” She smiled opening the door.

“Max! What are doing here?” Robyn stood back and let Max in, he took one look at me and I could see him swallow uncomfortably and start to stammer.

“I’m sorry…I should have called ahead…are you going out Ella?” I looked down at my dress and then over at Robyn for help.

“Ella has a hot date.” Robyn announced.

Shit did she need to word it like that? I still didn’t know what Max felt any more about anything, especially me. I’d pulled myself so far back I felt detached from everything, but I didn’t want to hurt his feelings.

“Wow…okay…Do I know him?” He asked looking as if he wanted to bolt right away, he was super uncomfortable right now.

“He’s called Alistair. He seems like a good guy, he works with Ed. We’ve been chatting for a few weeks now and this is our first date.” I shrugged shyly trying to look cool, calm and collected. The doorbell rang a second time. “And that’s probably him now.” I said, my hands suddenly shaking like a leaf and my heart beating out of my chest.

“Deep breaths Ella, remember cool as a cucumber.” Robyn said as she answered the door to an impeccably dressed Alistair. He looked like he’d walked off an Armani photo shoot he was seriously hot. Why was I feeling so much dread? He smiled at me and those adorable dimples appeared, instantly making me feel more at ease and I smiled back.