Page 57 of New Growth
She gave me a sweet smile. “Oh, sorry! I forgot to mention it’s from the gentleman at that table over there.”
She pointed toward a private section at the very back of the club. My eyes followed her finger, landing on a familiar figure I hadn’t seen in a week.
Elliot.
The other Elliot.
“Fuck.”
Esther leaned in. “You know him, Ellie?”
I exhaled sharply. “Remember the guy from the café?”
I had given them a brief summary of my interactions with El after the event.
In response, Hope scoffed. “That’s the handsy guy who felt you up at that meeting?”
I shot her a look. “I did not say he felt me up. I said he put his hand on my back, and it made me feel weird.”
Johanna let out a low whistle. “Damn. Mr. Hands got money! Six bottles? That’s one for each of us.”
London hummed, eyes locked on the private section. “He looks good as fuck, Ellie.”
Chelsea nudged me. “Yeah, you failed to mention he was fine.”
I sighed dramatically. “Must’ve slipped my mind.”
Of course, I knew he was fine. That was never the issue. The issue was that he touched me, and I felt something. Something I didn’t feel like unpacking in the middle of the club.
The bottle girl hesitated. “So… are you keeping the bottles?”
Johanna reached for one. “Oh, we are definitely keeping the bottles.”
“Jo! We can’t keep them!” I insisted.
She pouted. “Why not? He’s obviously trying to apologize. If anything, you should go over there and thank him personally.”
Esther grinned. “Good idea! Get over there!”
My eyes darted around to each of their faces in shock. “Are y’all really trying to pimp me out for some bottles?”
“Not just any bottles, Dom Pérignon, baby!” Johanna said as she popped the cork with glee.
London joined her, “Exactly. Just go say thanks!”
I shook my head. “Hell. No.”
“Come on, E. It would be rude not to,” Chelsea smirked.
Hope shrugged. “And if you don’t, I will.”
Esther shot her a glare.
“Sit your hot ass down!” She turned back to me. “Elliot, go get your man before one of these thirsty hoes snatches him up.”
I scoffed. “One, not my man. And two, it looks like they’re celebrating something. It would be rude to interrupt.”
Esther rolled her eyes and spoke through clenched teeth. “Girl, you better go over there.”
