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I head straight for my bathroom and take off the makeup Isabella so meticulously applied. Then I step into the shower and let the hot spray rain down on me for way too long. When I get out, I twist my wet hair into a towel and pull on a pair of pajamas before heading to bed, grabbing my laptop and my phone along the way.
I wasn’t lying to Isabella. I have emails to write. But instead of tapping away at the keyboard, I stare absentmindedly at the screen and do some controlled breathing to get my heart rate under control.
It’s not Isabella’s fault I’m feeling so jealous right now. Yes, she did me dirty big time, but it was years ago.
I’m over Danny and so is she. Yes, it hurt when they got together, but we were over long before they ever started dating. And we weren’t exactly close then.
I trust Eli completely. He’s a straight down the line kind of guy. Not at all like Danny. Where Danny abandoned me completely the day I went viral, Eli’s spent the last six weeks teaching me how to skate without falling over.
He’s shown me what it’s like to be taken care of. Again and again.
I pick my phone up and quickly tap out a message.
I’m in bed. Let me know when you’ve finished your dinner and I’ll call. – Mackenzie xx
Just leaving now. Can you wait for ten minutes until I get home? Or I can call you from the car. – Eli xx
I can wait. – Mackenzie xx
I force myself to reply to some emails while I wait, but every minute that ticks by feels like an eternity. When my phone finally rings I snatch it up and answer so fast it makes my head spin.
“Hi,” I breathe.
“That was quick.” He laughs. “You okay?”
“No.”
“What’s up?”
“I missed you tonight. And I know that makes me sound weirdly clingy and I hate it, but it’s true.”
“If it makes you feel any better, I like it.”
I wrinkle my nose. “I guess it does a bit.”
“And I missed you, too. Liam and Sophie were sad you couldn’t join us.”
“Maybe next time?” I say, feeling sad.
“Yeah. I’d like that. So how was your evening with your sister?” There’s a banging sound, like he’s closing the door.
“It was good. We ate pizza and drank champagne and she did my makeup. I think we’re trying to make up for the last twenty years.”
“Good,” he says. “I’m glad.”
“I think I should tell her about us. Or maybe not. I don’t know. I should probably talk to my bosses first. Out of professional courtesy.” And because I’d quite like to keep my job. “What do you think?” I ask him, looking for reassurance.
“I think it’s up to you,” he says. “Of course I want to stop hiding this. But you need to do it at your own pace. Sophie said something tonight that got me thinking.”
“What did she say?” I ask, curious.
“She said it’s always the women who suffer when gossip comes out. And I don’t want you to suffer. So you tell people when you’re ready, and if you need to make sure your job is safe first, then that’s what we’ll do. We have all the time in the world.”
The ache in my chest loosens a little. “Okay. But after the exhibition game, I’m going to ask to talk to him. Is that okay?”
“Yes, that’s more than okay.”
“And I’ll tell my family.”
