Page 132 of New Growth
Double-check the product list for the day of the show.
I exhaled. Not bad. I was on schedule, maybe even ahead of it.
My phone buzzed:
Puddin’:Hey, just checking in. I know you’re busy, but if you get a break, I’d love to see you at the panel.
After the kiss, our interactions have been…limited. I hesitated before replying.
Me:I’ll try.
It wasn’t a yes. But it wasn’t a no, either.
“E, you alive down there?”
It was Esther.
I rolled my eyes and called out, “Barely.”
She stepped into the living room with a raised brow. “Damn, it smells like a whole beauty supply store in here.”
“Welcome to hell.” I gestured around at the chaos.
She whistled low. “And you wonder why you got carpal tunnel at twenty-seven.”
I laughed half-heartedly. “Shut up.”
With a dramatic sigh, she flopped onto the couch. “So when are you actually gonna start getting ready for El’s thingy tonight?”
I glanced at my phone. “Funny you mention it. He just texted me. I think he really wants me there.”
Esther gave me a look. “Of course he wants you there, stupid. It’s important to him and you’re important to him. That’s kind of how that works.”
I hesitated, picking up my hot comb and testing the heat against a paper towel. When the paper darkened slightly, I knew it was hot enough.
“I know. And I know how it feels to be disappointed by someone you held in high regard. Believe me,” I said, rubbing a hand over my face. “But I can’t be one of the important things in his life right now. I’ve got too much going on.”
“Like what?” Esther shot back. “The salon that’s thriving? The expo that’s months away and you’ve already over-prepared for? Or your backstabbing family?”
I flinched at that last part.
“Yes. All of it,” I said quietly. “I can’t add Elliot to the equation.”
She folded her arms. “You’re being selfish, E.”
I blinked. “What?”
“You. Are. Being. Selfish,” she said, punctuating each word. “Have you considered that maybe Elliot’s got a lot going on, too? But he still made time for you. And now, the one time he needsyouto show up, you aren’t gonna? Very selfish, E. Like. Hope level selfishness.”
I opened my mouth to argue, but the words didn’t come.
She leaned in. “And that’s not like you. The Ellie I know would drop everything to be by his side. So tell me. What’s going on?”
I hesitated. Then, in a small voice, “I kissed him. Well. We kissed. And now everything feels awkward.”
