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Chapter Fifteen
Ellie
Breakingdowntwicewithinone week in front of Tyson Ranes wasn’t something I’d planned, but that’s what happened. After my meltdown when the window was broken, it was mysteriously repaired when I came home from work a few days later.
I knew Ty had everything to do with it, but I didn’t fight it. I didn’t have the money to fix it anyway. After the window was taken care of, I simply pretended it had never happened in the first place. That’s usually how I dealt with things and I wasn’t about to change now.
Atlas stopped by the day after the incident in his police uniform and checked everything out. He asked me questions, but I didn’t want to press charges. I suspected it had been Callen, but I had no proof. There was no use in making things worse by turning him into the cops.
In the next two weeks, I saw Ty on and off, but only ever with Knox. After everything that went on between us, I didn’t want to be alone with him. It was easier to focus on trying to be his friend again when we were all together in a group, like how it used to be. Some days, it almost felt like old times. As if nothing had changed and I loved those moments. They just never lasted. I was taking steps, letting him in little by little, just not too much.
I frowned at myself in the cheap, full-length mirror I had taped to the back of my closet door. Tonight was the Willow Hope Ranch Gala and the dress I had picked out was…underwhelming. It was an old black dress; nothing special, and the material had started to pill from wear in areas. It was a far cry from the fancy, over the top gowns I’d worn in past beauty pageants. I’d paired it with some blue, sparkly heels, but they didn’t do enough to save the outfit.
I sighed. I should’ve bought a new dress. Tonight was important, and black tie. But dresses like the ones I wanted to wear were way too expensive. I tilted my head, smoothing down the black skirt. I’d just have to make it work.
There was a knock on the front door of the trailer and I checked the time, surprised. Faye was coming over to stay with Dad for a little while tonight. If that was her, she was early.
I hurried to the door, my heels clicking on the vinyl floor of the kitchen.
“Hey!” Faye said, beaming at me. “You look so pretty, Ellie.”
I blinked at her. “You’re early.”
She nodded, and held out a long, plastic garment bag. “Just a little early. I wanted to drop this off in time for you to get ready.”
My brows pulled together as I stared at the bag. “Uh, what’s that?”
Her smile widened. “A surprise. You’ve been doing so well at the boutique. You take care of more than what I ask of you. Just think of it as a little thank you gift.”
I frowned, my pulse quickening as I stared at the bag. “You pay me to work for you,” I said, dumbly.
She huffed out a breath, stepping forward and forcing the bag into my hands. “The words you’re looking for are, thank you.” She patted my shoulder, stepping around me to get inside.
I held the bag to my chest, overwhelmed. I couldn’t see what was in it, but if Faye picked it out, it was going to be beautiful.
“Thank you,” I squeaked as I shut the door.
She smiled. “You’re welcome. I was happy to do it.”
I bit my lip, feeling insecure. “Are you sure you don’t mind missing the gala?”
It was the first time in three years since the gala had been held, and it was a big deal here in small Cypress Falls.
Her face fell, a shadow flitting over her features. “No, I don’t want to go. I don’t think I’d exactly be welcome.”
She shrugged and my stomach sank. “Faye, you know they hold nothing against you.”
Faye still visited Knox’s brother in prison every week. I’m not sure if Knox’s family knew, but they weren’t the type to judge or hold grudges…at least most of them weren’t. Plus, they knew Faye and Dawson had been friends.
Faye looked away and waved a hand in the air, dismissing the subject. “It doesn’t matter, I never really liked the gala anyway. Now, go put on that dress so I can see it on you!”
The valet opened my door for me, offering his hand. I hesitated before taking it and letting him help me out of my car.
“Have a great night, ma’am,” he said with a smile.
I picked up the skirt of my dress as I nodded. “Thanks.”
The dress Faye had gotten for me was perfect. It was a dark blue, form-fitting evening gown with a long skirt and a slit on the side. The blue sequins sparkled in the last rays of sun as I approached the front steps of the massive, old colonial style mansion.
