Page 59 of New Growth
El smirked. “Yeah, they switched up our orders.”
I let out a small scoff, playing along like it was an inside joke. “Yup. All their fault.”
The woman grinned. “Well, you better get used to that happening.”
Next, a man from the group jumped in. “We all know El from the office. What do you do for work?”
“I own a salon,” I replied.
One of the women perked up. “What salon?”
“EL’evations.”
Her eyes went wide. “Oh my God! Elliot Sawyer! You’re everywhere on Instagram! I’ve been trying to get an appointment with you for months!”
I guess Hope has been working hard with social media.
Heat crept up my neck. I sometimes forgot just how popular EL’evations had become. Still, I gave her an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I had to cut my appointment times in half to prepare for a hair expo in Atlanta.”
“Oh! That’s what’s up!” she said, nodding enthusiastically. “Maybe sometime in the future.”
I just smiled and nodded. “Of course.”
The group’s conversation flowed around us, and eventually, El and I shifted into our own private bubble.
“I’m sorry I ran out on you like that. I just got so overwhelmed by everything,” I explained. “But I should’ve handled it better.”
El shook his head. “Don’t apologize. I had no right to touch you like that. I’m sorry, Elliot.”
I tilted my head. “Seems like you’re always apologizing.”
He exhaled a laugh. “Well, I keep messing up. Can I make it up to you one last time?”
I raised a brow. “After all those bottles you sent? I think we’re even.”
“Still,” he murmured, “I would love to take you out, Elliot.”
I sighed, already knowing where this was going. “Look, like I said before, I’m not looking for a relationship right now.”
He nodded. “And I respect that. But how about a friendship?”
I studied him. “Are you even capable of just being friends?”
His smirk deepened as he took a slow sip of his drink. The look in his eyes said, “Absolutely not. I’ve already pictured you naked at least ten times.”
“How about this,” he suggested. “Let’s get coffee every morning for a full week. I guarantee you’ll be comfortable with us being friends by the end of it.”
I narrowed my eyes. “One week?”
He held up a hand. “That’s all I’ll need to convince you. If I don’t, kick my ass to the curb.”
I thought about it.Free coffee for a week?
“Hm. I can work with that,” I said.
His smile widened. “Good.”
I glanced back at my table. “Well, I should get back to my team. Thanks again for the drinks.”
