Ellie was the first person I wanted to tell.
That was an…unsettling realization.
I was on a jet back to Westport within the hour.
totally not stalking
. . .
Cade
A Few Days Later…
Ellie’s landlord was sabotaging all my plans. I’d gone straight to the café as soon as I landed, but Kitty wouldn’t allow me upstairs to see Ellie.
Madison had given me Ellie’s number, but I didn’t want to seem overeager. Or stalker-like. So I left her a simple voicemail requesting a call back, then followed it up with a text each day it went unanswered.
I also set up camp in the café to catch her going in or out, which was the closest Kitty would let me get.
So maybe it was alittlestalker-like.
Today wasn’t any different as I walked into the now familiar café. The orange cat in the window even puked again as soon as I got through the door.
“Back again?” Kitty winked from behind the counter. She waved at Mac taking up position in his normal corner, already bombarded by three friendly cats. “That’s three days in a row. I’m starting to think you’re sweet on me.”
I tuned out her never-ending flirting. “Is Ellie available?”
The older woman glanced at the ceiling and tightened her apron. “No, but I do have a message from her.”
Hope surged before I could stop it. This was new. “What’s the message?”
Kitty winced. “Well, she said you can send any communication through her lawyer.”
I pulled out my phone, willing to jump through whatever hoops Ellie wanted if it meant she’d hear me out. “Do you have her lawyer’s info?”
Kitty cleared her throat, suddenly avoiding all eye contact. “Ellie doesn’t have a lawyer.”
My thumb paused on the screen. Of course she didn’t. “I just need five minutes with her.”
Kitty immediately shook her head. “That’s not happening, but I’m happy to pass on a message for you.”
“What I have to say is for Ellie’s ears only,” I said, knowing just how nosy she was.
That earned a knowing smirk. “Looks like we’re at an impasse again, so have a seat, and I’ll grab your coffee. I saved your usual table for you in the dark and antisocial corner.”
She said it with a straight face, like she’d done me a favor. But saving anything wasn’t needed. Not a single table was taken. Mac was the only other person here.
And now his little fan club had grown to five fluffy cats sniffing around his ankles.
Despite Kitty’s teasing, I set up in my antisocial corner next to a bunch of decorative pink plates on the wall. She bustled around the counter before bringing over a lukewarm mug of coffee—setting it next to my laptop.
“Working on anything fun today?” she asked.
“No.” I focused on my screen, used to her wanting to chat for a bit and dig for information.
As expected, Kitty stuck around and leaned her hip against a wicker chair. “Do you want some advice on getting Ellie Belly’s attention? If you’re ready to grovel, I’m happy to help.”
Lifting my head, I gazed at all the empty tables. “Are you sure you’re the best to be giving marketing advice right now?”
