Page 156 of Brighter Together

Nick drops me at Greenview a few hours later.

I barely wait for the car to stop before opening the door.

“Thanks, mate.”

“Tell Ella I said hello.”

“I will.”

“And maybe don’t mention that I nearly got thrown out of that office.”

“You said one sentence.”

“It was an excellent sentence.”

I shut the door on his grin.

After we told the staff about our relationship yesterday, I asked Ella to stay at my flat for a while.

I expected an argument.

Instead, she agreed almost immediately.

That frightened me more than if she had fought me on it.

Ella argues when she feels safe.

She pushes.

Teases.

Calls me sir just to watch me struggle.

Yesterday she simply nodded and packed a bag.

However much she insists Lee will leave her alone now the contract is gone, part of her clearly doesn’t believe it.

Neither do I.

I take the back stairs two at a time.

“Ella?”

“Bathroom.”

Relief moves through me at the sound of her voice.

Ridiculous, considering I spoke to her this morning.

I drop my jacket over the back of a chair, kick off my shoes and head down the hall.

The bathroom door is closed.

I knock.

“Can I come in?”

“Sure.”