Page 86 of New Growth
“Me?” He smirked. “I like a natural look. Nothing too extra, you know?”
Esther visibly winced.
“Interesting,” I said. “ Well, I guess we aren’t gonna work out, huh? Because I have a full set, a silk press, and probably ten different products on my face right now.”
Ethan blinked like he just realized where he’d stepped wrong. “I didn’t mean you specifically—”
“Right.” I picked up a fry from my plate and popped it into my mouth, chewing slowly. “You just meant Black women in general. Got it.”
He opened his mouth to explain, but I smiled and went back to my food, leaving him stuttering like an idiot.
I knew one thing for certain: this clown would never represent my salon.
?
“Okay, folks. Your bill has been covered for the evening. Thank you so much for dining with us.” The waiter announced as he greeted the table one last time.
Esther’s eyes darted to the waiter, before her face scrunched up in confusion. “Covered? By who?”
The waiter simply nodded in the direction of the bar, and all our gazes followed.
Oh, no.
Lounging at the bar with a drink in hand, his smirk practically visible from across the room. I froze.
“Is that…?” Esther trailed off, but I was already up before she could finish.
“I’ll be right back.”
I walked off, not bothering to wait for her to respond. My steps were sharp, my pulse quickening as I made my way to the bar. El didn’t even look up at first, only taking a slow sip from his glass before finally meeting my eyes with that infuriating, cocky smile.
“I didn’t know you were into white men, Ellie.”
I couldn’t stop the irritation from flaring in my chest. “Seriously, El? This is so inappropriate.”
He raised an eyebrow, playing innocent. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m just enjoying a drink at the bar.”
“How’d you even find me?”
His smirk deepened. “Coincidence.”
I narrowed my eyes, folding my arms tightly across my chest. “Don’t play with me right now, Elliot. How?”
He shrugged lazily and took another sip, clearly enjoying every bit of my frustration. “You actually shared your location with me earlier today instead of sending the location.”
Damn it.
“So you decide to follow me here?”
“I told you I didn’t want you to come.” He said it with that tone. The one that suggested he was getting under my skin on purpose.
“It’s not your decision to make, Elliot.” I felt my voice sharpen with the edge I always kept hidden beneath.
He didn’t flinch, just took another sip of his drink, watching me like a hawk. “You enjoying yourself?”
I exhaled through my nose. “Not particularly, but I—”
I paused. I was about to say something else, but the last thing I needed was to get caught up in another one of his games. “Hey. Do not change the subject! You can’t stay here.”
