I’ve been in a sour mood for days since Henry left my shop and told me to break up with Ellis. I’ve been over and over it again in my head. I can’t break up with him. I really really like him times a thousand more reallys. I also don’t want him and his family to lose the brewery.
This is a moment for ice cream. Mint chocolate chip to be exact.
But, no. This problem is so much more serious than ice cream can handle. And besides, I can’t pop open a tub right here where I am.
Ugh, I wish I had someone to talk to about this. Lola and Poppi would just tell me to say ‘no’ to Henry and ride off into the sunset with Ellis.
It’s not that easy. In fact, it’s the most complicated shit on the planet. Like I would need a nuclear physicist to try to figure it all out. And still, I don’t think he could even come close.
I care about Ellis. I do. And I can’t let him lose the funding for his projects. I can’t let them lose everything if the brewery doesn’t make it.
But, I also don’t want to rush into things. I made that mistake with Henry, and look where that got me. Ellis lives in Atlanta. I live here.
“Do you have the flowers, Kiki?” Poppi asks when she finds me gazing out over the water. We’re here at the Atwood’s home on the Intracoastal, and trying desperately to get all the prep work done for Doodles and Sparkles wedding.
“Is it weird the bride and groom are brother and sister?” I ask Poppi, handing her the bouquet of flowers.
She laughs. “Is it weirder they have more people attending their wedding than I’ll ever have at my own.”
I continue stringing the lights, making this another spectacular wedding. I need to make sure I get lots of pictures for the portfolio. “Yeah,” I say, absentmindedly.
“You’re awfully quiet.” Poppi stops working. “Want to talk about it?”
I slump my shoulders in defeat, desperate to get a little advice. “If you had the ability to save someone’s future, would you?”
Poppi studies me for a moment before answering, “Is this about the brewery?”
I nod.
“What’s going on exactly?”
I probably shouldn’t tell her, and even saying it out loud is a bit ridiculous, but I do it anyway. “Henry won’t help the brewery unless I break up with Ellis.”
“Oh, wow,” she says while blowing out a deep breath. “I always knew that man was a…” she doesn’t say whatever profanity she’s thinking of for Henry, and so many would fit so well.
“I know.”
“Are you honestly thinking about doing it?” She places the string of lights down on a nearby table, then rests both hands on my shoulder, looking me directly in the eyes. “You can’t let that man control you.”
“But Ellis’ life is in Atlanta and mine is here.”
Poppi shrugs. “So?”
“So...it’ll never work out.”
“Never say never,” she says. “Sounds to me you’ve already decided, and not giving the unknown a chance.” She drops her hands, picking up the lights again. “Sometimes we make rash decisions because we’re not sure of the outcome.”
“I can’t be the reason their brewery fails.” I’ve made up my mind. And not because I’m afraid to think about how Ellis and I would work as a couple with him in Atlanta and me here. But because I can’t let him lose everything. And this is bigger than just Ellis. There’s a whole company to think of. Urban, all the employees, everything.
I can’t be the sole reason everyone is out of a job.
With my mood worsening by the minute, I continue the setup of the back yard.
“This is all so beautiful,” Yasmin says. “You’ve done a wonderful job transforming this place.” She studies the string of lights we’re setting up. “This will all be so perfect.”
“It’s coming together nicely.” Geeze, I can’t even fake being pleasant. It’s like all the good mood has been sucked dry from my being, and I’m left with this emptiness inside.
Yasmin pictured an evening wedding, with soft twinkling lights over head as the two pups bark their vows to each other. The yard is littered with white fold-out chairs, an aisle made of white tulle, and a bride dressed to the nines in one of the prettiest little wedding dresses I’ve ever seen.
“Sparkles looks amazing,” I tell Yasmin as Poppi finishes the last strand of lights. “Just an hour to go until guests start arriving.” And I have to check on the food. “Excuse me.” I head off toward the kitchen.
Ellis pops a pig in a blanket into his mouth as I walk in. “You do know this is all ridiculous right?”
“What is? My job?”
He cocks a brow. “No, the fact they can spend money on this but can’t pay my old man’s gambling debts.”
My heart breaks a little for Ellis. “I know. I’m so sorry.”
He shrugs, looking delectable in his black button-down shirt and black jeans. “What can you do, right?” He’s so upbeat it should be illegal.
“Yeah.” Although I know what I can do. I can make sure Ellis gets the money Henry delivers so they can save the brewery. “I just need to check on a few things.” I rush out of the kitchen before I tell Ellis everything I’m planning.
I know, it’s all sorts of fucked up in a world of madness. Why can’t life just be easy?
Ha. Of course, that can never happen. I finally find someone I could possibly spend the rest of my life with and this happens. Don’t dwell on what ifs, I tell myself.
As soon as I step out of the kitchen I run smack dab into a brick wall. “Oh, Henry,” I say, stepping back and fixing my hair. “I didn’t see you there.”
“Kiki, I was just stopping by to see how our little arrangement was going.” He smirks this devil-like smile, and I so wish I could slap it off his face.
I don’t want to tell him he’s won, but he has.
I’d do anything for Ellis.
TWENTY-FOUR
Ellis
Never stop chasing...
Should I be happy two dogs are getting married? Normally, sure. I love a good dog wedding just like the next guy. But today, my mood is all over the place.
I can’t believe my father, throwing this lavish party for all his socialite friends and their socialite pups. This place looks like a poodle stomping ground. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many poodles with pink bows in their hair in all my life.
Come on, I know I haven’t.
This isn’t my scene.
Back home in Atlanta, I’m just a normal guy. I don’t entertain. And I definitely don’t dress my dog up, if I had one.
And after meeting Kiki I really want one. There’s a lot I realize my life was missing before. Since meeting her, I’ve realized I’d been leading an empty, meaningless life.
The guests arrive, and I take my seat next to Henry. He’s a bit cockier today if you can believe that. Like he’s in on a little secret that I’m not privy to. Hope it’s about money. “You got those projection figures I emailed over last night, right?” I whisper to him before the ceremony takes place.