I step closer and Henry backs away like a frightened little pig. “Look I don’t care about Kiki. Just put in a good word with my boss, please.” And now he’s reduced to begging.
“You’re a sack of shit.”
Urban and I walk away, wanting nothing to do with Henry or his firm.
“We could still meet with the investors,” Urban says, driving back to the brewery.
I shrug. “There’s really no point.” And maybe I’ll feel better in a few days, but right now my mind is only on one thing. Kiki.
And Kiki alone.
“I have something to handle when I get back. What are you going to do?” I ask Urban.
“Dad wanted to see us both. Do you want to see him first?”
Of course, I don’t. But, of course I will. “Sure.”
And afterward, I’m running to Kiki’s.
On foot if I have to.
To straighten out this whole mess.
TWENTY-SEVEN
Kiki
Never trust your friends…
It’s been three whole days since I last saw Ellis, and I’m sure by now he’s back in Atlanta living his best single life. I’ve been in a cocoon that consists of work, ice cream, and binge-watching Outlander on Netflix. To say I’ve rarely seen the outside is an understatement.
But, today, Lola has somehow once again been able to draw me from my very own fortress of solitude and cast me out into the world on another fitness escapade. I do it because I love her.
I actually do it because she threatened if I didn’t she would be sure to post the video of my karaoke singing on her blog that gets over one-million views.
I don’t need that level of humiliation right now.
She says I’m not the best singer, but to me...I’m Adele.
No, I’m Celine Dion. Well, I’m whoever is singing the song I’m listening to and I sound just like them. Trust me, I sing right on key. (which key that is, I have no idea.)
“What are we doing today? Bungee jumping while doing Pilates in the air?”
Lola smiles. “No, but that’s a great idea.” She waits for Poppi to join us before telling us what we’ll be doing in today's little misadventure in exercising. “Today we’re doing a simple karaoke singing and rave.”
“I don’t know if I can really bounce around today.” I just don’t have the energy to sing and dance.
“I know you’re a little blue but trust me.” Poppi winks. “You need this today.”
I roll my eyes. “Fine, but only because I know you girls love my killer dance moves.”
Both Poppi and Lola try not to laugh as we step inside the dance studio. It’s bigger than expected with a stage near the front of the room. There’s a karaoke machine and microphone on stage, and I set my water bottle and towel in the back of the room next to Poppi’s.
Lola stretches. “This is going to be great. And I need to make sure I get lots of good footage for my blog.” She takes out her iPhone and gets it ready.
The instructor comes in with a wide smile. “Everyone ready to bust a move and get their sing on?” Why is every fitness instructor so full of energy?
It’s seven in the morning, people.
I do a little stretch and get ready to dance. I love dancing, even if people think I don’t dance well. I know the real truth, they’re just jealous.
“Let’s get moving,” the instructor calls out.
Lola and Poppi rush to get onto the dancefloor, and I follow closely behind.
“Is that Bon Jovi?” I ask Poppi as the beginning notes of “Living On A Prayer” blast through the speakers. And then I see him, Ellis, strolling across the stage until he’s in front of the microphone.
He sings the opening lyrics, “Once upon a time not so long ago.”
I smile, keeping my eyes on him as he belts out the next line. And let me just say something right now...this man can not sing. Like oh my god, bad.
He can’t carry a tune to save his life.
And it’s a-fucking-dorable.
Everyone cheers. Of course, they do, because that’s what you do when a gorgeous man gets up on stage and sings his ever-loving heart out for the woman he wants.
And oh my god, that woman is me.
Chills erupt across my skin as he keeps singing, bending his knees to get the right amount of angst in each note.
He even sings the lyrics wrong, “It doesn’t make a difference if we’re naked or not.”
He points to me, calling me up on stage with him. I laugh, shaking my head back and forth.
“Do it. Go,” Poppi says, pushing me closer to the stage.
The instructor hands me a microphone as I make my way closer to him. I can’t stop smiling. I read the words on the screen, singing out the next line, “Woah, livin’ on a prayer.”
Poppi and Lola cheer as Ellis’ face erupts into a smile. And then he and I sing the rest of the song out together, and I have to say...I sound just like Bon Jovi.
“Well, you have one thing in common,” Poppi says after the class is over. “Neither of you can dance, or sing worth a damn.”
Ellis wraps me into his arms. “I sing great. It’s this one here,” he snuggles me closer, “who was throwing my groove off.”
I laugh. “Never.”
We wave Lola and Poppi off, and I turn to face him. “How did you know I was here?”
“I called the Spaw, and talked to Poppi. Told her all about what Henry did, and she told me you’d be here.”
“I’m sorry about Henry. I should have told him to fuck off, but I couldn’t be the reason you lost the brewery.”
Ellis studies me for a moment. “We’re not going to lose it. But, more on that later. And, get this, it’s not because of Henry.” He steps closer. “Did you know Henry was a mail boy?”
“A what?”
“Yeah, he wasn’t even an investor over at the firm. He worked in the mailroom.”
I can’t believe my ears. “No way.” Now I feel even worse. “I’m so sorry I ever fell for his bullshit.”
Ellis sets his hands on my hips. “It’s ok. He duped us too. He’s one of those kinds of guys. The kind that can sell ice to an Eskimo. It’s a great quality to have. He just doesn’t use it very well.”
I nod. “I’ll say.” And I think back to my relationship with Henry. Was it all one big manipulation?
It doesn’t matter now, because right here and right now, I have the man.
I have the one I’ve always wanted.
And even though we don’t have all the answers, I know that together we can make it all work out.
They say, never kiss a stranger...but never say never.
Epilogue
Ellis
Never take life for granted…
Now that is something I can actually agree with. I knew I’d win Kiki back the moment she walked away from me. I just didn’t know the when or how of it all.
I knew she needed time. What I didn’t know at the time was that Henry had forced her not to date me.
He’d filled her head with lies, and she fell for the bait. Can’t say that I blame her though, to save her company I’d probably do it too.