Forever Mine (Joe & Ella 2)
“I’ve got to go to this party, it’s on a fancy boat you know the type, massive thing cruising down the river, dancefloor, DJ and everyone in an annoyingly smug couple. I can’t get out of it, but I don’t want to go on my own… Would you come with me Ella? Just so I don’t look like a fool walking in on my own like some kinda lonely creep.”
“Max you would never look like a creep. You might meet the girl of your dreams on there you never know.” I tried to lighten his mood but he just sighed again.
“Is he going to be there?” I asked.
“Who Joe? No he won’t be there. Anyway he’s got enough on his plate keeping the cops happy. Did you hear the news about the raid?”
“No what raid?” I was all ears now at the prospect of getting some gossip to pass onto Chris and the team at work.
“The club was raided the other day, someone tipped the police off saying Joe was using the place as a cover for some huge drugs operation or something. They froze all his assets and everything. He’s been running round like a headless chicken all week trying to get it sorted out and swept under the rug as you Brits like to say.”
“Did they find anything?” I highly doubted Joe would have anything to do with drugs knowing how healthy and clean living he had been when he was with me, but I had to ask.
“Hell no! Not even a cigarette. If there’s one thing Joe is its anti-drugs of any kind. You know that right Ella?”
“Yes I know, but I thought maybe someone else had brought something into the club. Anyway why would a health spa have drugs?” This story didn’t make sense, I was confused.
“That’s what we all said. Joe thinks it’s linked to his crazy letter writing stalker. He thinks the fire was them too.”
“Sounds like a holy mess.”
“It is, I’m glad you’re out of it to be honest.” I was too, but I couldn’t help but still feel nervous and protective towards Joe, I hated to think of him being targeted.
Max took a deep breath “So anyway enough about him, I didn’t phone to talk about him, this party. Do you think you’d be up for it? I’d be really grateful Ella.”
I paused for a moment.
“Okay Max I’ll go with you, but if my dodgy dance moves make a fool of you
in front of all your posh friends I’m not apologising.”
“Like you could ever make me look bad Ella.” He sounded more upbeat now and I was glad I could help him out.
“What sort of dress code is it?”
“Black tie.”
“I’ll wear a fancy dress just for you Max.”
“I’ll buy you a new one if you like, to say thank you for helping me out.”
“You don’t have to do that, I have plenty of dresses to choose from honestly. If you want me to wear a certain colour to match you let me know.”
“Is that a thing then? Matching colours?”
“It looks cute, matching colours.” I laughed.
“I’ll let you know. Thanks again Ella, you’re the best.”
“No problem. Anything for a friend like you Max.”
When Max’s big night out came I stood waiting for him in the living room dressed in a full length black dress with thin straps at the shoulders and pretty much backless down to the base of my spine. I wore my hair down but clipped back at the sides in case it was windy tonight. I didn’t want to have my hair flying into my face constantly. I wasn’t quite sure what I was picturing when Max mentioned a boat, but the prospect of speeding down the river, wind flowing through our hair was one I couldn’t rule out. I kept my make-up natural apart from my favourite smoky eye shadow. Funnily enough I didn’t feel any nerves, not like I used to when Joe was taking me out somewhere posh, I knew I wouldn’t really be on show tonight with Max. It was all totally platonic and I was excited to have a night out without any dramas.
Max knocked the door and I answered with a huge cheeky grin on my face.
“Will I do?” I asked stepping back and giving him a spin on my heels excitedly.
“Wow. You’ll more than do Ella…just…wow.”