Page 158 of Brighter Together

That is what I needed.

She rests her head against my shoulder.

For a while, neither of us says anything.

Her fingers move slowly over my forearm beneath the water.

Eventually she asks, “How did it go?”

I stare at the foam drifting around us.

“I hate them.”

Ella’s hand pauses.

Then starts moving again.

“You didn’t hit anyone?”

“No.”

“Call the police?”

“No.”

“Threaten to bury Lee under the new extension?”

“Considered it.”

A small laugh escapes her.

I kiss the side of her head.

“I told them they weren’t getting the contract and that they need to leave you alone.”

Her shoulders tighten slightly.

“What did they say?”

“Your brother told me to fuck off.”

“That sounds like Lee.”

“Your father accused me of seducing a vulnerable employee and implied he could turn our relationship into a scandal.”

Ella goes still.

I tighten my arms around her.

“What scandal?” she says eventually. “Who the heck would care?”

“That was roughly my response.”

She turns her head enough to look at me.

“What did you actually say?”

I hesitate.