Page 90 of See Me

With those words, and my pride in a pathetic puddle on the floor, he walks out.

He knows. He knows I’m shit and not worthy. He knows she’s better than me. That I’ll sully her, dim her light.

If there was any question in my mind as to my options, there isn’t anymore.

The register takes its sweet ass time printing my morning reports. I don’t want to be out here; I need the comfort of my office. Better yet, I need a day off. I lean back on the bar, arms and feet crossed.

“Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, then Christmas, then I’m leaving for New Year’s. We have to figure this out.” Ella straightens tables as Enzo follows her around with a notepad and pen, pestering her about something I don’t care enough to ask about.

Ella skirts around him as he tries to block her path. “This is completely unnecessary. We don’t have to do anything. I haven’t seen Charles at all. He probably tucked tail and left town.”

The mention of douche in a suit piques my curiosity.

Maybe I care a little.

“Wearedoing this. And if you don’t help with details, it’ll be everything I want. Strippers, beer pong, and mud wrestling.”

Ella whirls around on him, hands on her hips. “What the fluff? This isn’t your bachelor party.”

What the fluff?

Fuck, she’s adorable.

“That’s why I need your input. You’re going to be a teacher right? Do you want to incorporate that? What subject are you teaching?” Enzo stands eagerly, pen poised to take notes.

“Biology, but I don’t see how that’s relevant or how it can possibly be incorporated. And it doesn’t matter. We don’t need a party.”

“Biology, huh? Did you know an erect penis contains just as much blood as an entire rabbit? I mean, a whole rabbit.” He gestures with his hands what I’m assuming is supposed to be the size of a rabbit. “That’s crazy right? Biology is cool.”

Biggest. Fucking. Dumbass.

Ella turns and makes eye contact with me. “A little help here,” she says, pointing to Enzo.

“Why don’t we put it off and revisit the idea if needed. We can do a party for Mardi Gras or something, if douchebag is stillaround. But like Ella said, I haven’t seen him. I’m sure he’s gone.”

Ella smiles and looks at Enzo. “See. Not necessary. Can we drop it now?”

“Fine. I guess I’ll have to call and cancel the mudpit I ordered.”

“You ordered that anyway? Before we even agreed to the party? And no one has mud wrestling at an engagement party.”

Enzo chews on the end of the pen in his mouth. “Unless…”

“No.” I interrupt. “I don’t like the face you’re making right now. No mud wrestling.”

“But, we could do a bracket style elimination. Ella can make the brackets. You like making poster boards right?”

Her eyes light up.

Oh, shit.

I step between them and push Enzo back, finger pointing in his face. “Do not seduce her with office supplies.” I turn around and put my hands on her shoulders and bend to look in her eyes. “Ella, we don’t want a mud pit in here. Back off the ledge. I’ll let you make a new Specials Board okay? I’ll even buy you some new chalk markers.”

She shakes her head as if she’s clearing the rosy haze a project with fancy pens and markers causes. “Fine, but I want the big pack, with the fancy tips.”

“Anything you want. Now tell Enzo no mud wrestling, no poster boards. Can you do that?” I step behind her and urge her forward, closer to Enzo. “Go on.”

“No,” she hesitates. “No mud wrestling. And…”

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