“Ella, you look absolutely stunning. Are you ready to go?” I nodded and walked out to join him. I said my goodbyes to Robyn and Max and walked down the path to Alistair’s car. It was only once I was sitting in the passenger’s seat that I thought how rude I’d been not introducing Alistair to either of my friends, but in all honesty I’d just wanted to get the hell out of there. It felt too weird having my old life collide with the new.
Joe
I saw Max’s number appear on my phone and I considered declining his call. Since everything that had happened with him and Ella, I couldn’t quite bring myself to be the same with him as we had been. He’d crossed a line, broke a bond of trust that I didn’t think we’d ever get back. The call rang off but within seconds he was ringing again.
“What?” I answered irritated.
“Joe. Listen I’ve been a shit friend to you lately I know that…”
What was this, a weak ass phone apology? I wanted to hang up or tell him to stick it up his ass but something told me to hold out. He had been making an effort lately and he’d done a lot for me since the accident.
“Just spit it out Max, I’m tired.”
“I’ve just come from Ella’s place…she’s going on a date tonight.”
Instantly I felt sick to my stomach. Great, why was he telling me this, did he want to rub more salt into an already gaping painful wound?
“Well thanks for telling me, that just about makes my night. Was that all?”
“Will you just quit with the ‘couldn’t care less’ attitude Joe, I know that isn’t how you feel. I’m telling you now, as your best friend, you need to do something if you don’t want to lose her. The guy she’s out with is…well he’s ripped and good looking if you’re into that kind of thing…which Ella is, but I know she still loves you so if you want to get her back you have to act now. Mate this guy is gonna slide in and steal your girl if you don’t stop him.”
“What makes you think she still wants me? She’s moved on Max.”
“She hasn’t, I can see it in her eyes. She’s doing what she thinks she needs to do to get over you, but shit man, you have to at least try to fight for her.”
“And make a goddamn fool of myself?”
“Yes if that’s what it takes. Listen bud, if she says no, tells you to get lost you’ll be no worse off. At least you’ll know you tried. No regrets right?”
“Why are you doing this Max?”
“Because I’d rather she was with you than some random wannabe male model who might whisk her away from us all and keep her to himself. You and Ella were meant to be, we all know it. It’s just you two are so stubborn you won’t admit it to each other. One of you has to make the first move and I think it needs to be you. Find a way to show her what she means to you.”
“What the hell am I supposed to do at this time of the evening Max?”
He sighed down the phone at me.
“It isn’t about expensive grand gestures Joe, not with Ella. Just come and see her, talk to her. That’s all she needs; you calm and willing to talk then listen without going off like the fourth of July.”
He was right of course. In all this time I hadn’t really fought for her. I wanted her back, I couldn’t think about anything else, but I hadn’t done enough to make it happen.
“I’ll think about it.” I said and clicked my mobile phone off. I had to think carefully about my next move. I had to think about what I might say, when I might see her. The clock was ticking, sand in the timer was running out, and I had one last shot at this, that much I knew.
24
Twenty minutes later we pulled up outside a quaint little Italian restaurant.
“They do the best food here, their gnocchi is to die for.” Alistair said.
“Mmm… I love Italian food.” I hummed and he smiled.
“I’m glad you’re not one of those girls that nibbles on lettuce and pretends she likes it.” He grinned.
“Hell no, I love food. Lettuce is great in a burger.” I raised my eyebrows and he laughed. So far so good I thought.
He opened the door for me as we entered the little bistro and the elderly Italian waiter knew him by name, greeting him fondly with a firm handshake and a twinkling smile. He led us to a secluded table at the back of the restaurant and asked us for our drinks order. I shouldn’t have even considered drinking any more than I already had, but I had another wine to settle my nerves and Alistair ordered a beer. ‘I can do this’ I thought to myself and settled back into my chair to read the menu.
The waiter came back with our drinks and took our order. We had bruschetta to start and I ordered the Genovese pesto gnocchi, whilst Alistair ordered the lobster mezza Luna.