Ella B's smile grew as Joe agreed to hold the book for her. Just for her. It was flirty in the most nonchalant way she didn't even know how she should take it.
"Thank you, you're awesome " She spoke sweetly as she backed away, giving him a short wave along with waving to Ethan who was still restocking before she exited the store.
...
"And love will open..when love is ready..to enter..."
The soft sounds of snaps filled the room as Evan finished his poem making the crowd weep in tears, at least that's how he would describe them. Ella B would beg to differ but she would never tell him that.
"You were amazing!" Ella exclaimed as Evan left the stage and darted to her, giving her a hug so tight her feet left the ground as she squealed in his ear.
"Ah all because of you, my little muse" he said, putting her back down and patting the top of her head. Evan and Ella B became friends Ella's first year of college. Evan was like the cool theatre guy that everyone knew and Ella was basically his groupie. It wasn't until Evan's girlfriend cheated on him that Ella swooped in to save the day. Yes..a rebound. Yeah, she's not exactly proud of it either but they realized that they were better as friends than lovers..at least one of them realized that anyway..
"Okay, I have ten minutes before my next read, that's enough time for at least three shots" He said dragging her over to the bar where they sat on the stools, him waving down the bartender as Ella put her arms on the counter, clasping her hands together.
"So..I did something today.." She said pressing her lips together firmly as she glanced to Evan who gave her a questioning look.
"I thought you said you weren't getting a Pap smear until you're thirty" He said with his eyes widening making Ella slap his arm.
"Not THAT...but I still do stand by it.." She mumbled looking down. "I went to the bookstore, remember I was talking about the timberwolves book I've been looking everywhere for. And it just so happened that the store clerk, Joe, had said that they had some in" She continued as the bartender out three shot glasses infront of them. They picked one up, clinking their glasses together before downing it quickly. Both making a face as the burning liquid slid down their throats.
"That's weird, I thought only lonely people read those books" Evan said after getting over the sensation of his drink. Ella rolled her eyes.
"Anyway...my card wasn't working and I didn't bring any cash so I asked him to hold it for me and..I don't know the way he said he would was kind of like..giving me flirty vibes.." She said a small smile playing on her lips, but Evan wasn't amused.
"Jesus Christ when was the last time you got laid, He said he would hold your book not your boobs" He said, this time rolling his eyes but Ella shook her head.
"But it was the way he said it. I mean okay. I thought I was looking way more into it too, so I thought maybe if he had like..a girlfriend..or a wife, I would know exactly what vibe it was...so I looked him on Facebook on my way here" she admitted making Evan down his second shot.
"Oh my god you're a stalker"
"Well no! Because there was nothing to stalk! He has no facebook. No Instagram. Not even a tik tok-" she exclaimed.
"Sounds like a weirdo then"
"And that was my first thought too! But then I thought, I am always talking down on people who can't go a second without using their phones and how the internet has taken over people's brain to think for themselves. And then I find this guy..who has no social media...is it a blessing in disguise..?"
"What did you even type in to find this Joe guy?" Evan asked raising a brow.
"Joe...the bookkeeper in New York.." she said looking to him sheepishly. Evan slowly shook his head, downing his last drink before getting up and placing his hands on her shoulders.
"I'm gonna say this because I love you..you are the most pathetic hopeless romantic I have ever met. This isn't a movie, this isn't one of those weird wattpad fanfics you read at night. This is real life. And one of these days, you're gonna fall for the wrong person and end up as one of those women they talk about on those true crime podcasts you listen to" He said. Ella's brows narrowed at him. She could tell he was already tipsy yet his words still stung a little bit. What a terrible thing to wish on someone. But he wasn't completely wrong. She was a hopeless romantic, and at time she did feel pathetic. She didn't get to respond before Evan was called back on stage. He kissed her forehead before turning and heading back.
She sat there for a moment, withering in her own thoughts before taking another shot quickly and getting up. Evan would be fine for the rest of the night. He would find some pretty blonde to flirt up and take back to his place and not think about what he said to Ella. But she would think about it all night. That was the affect he had on her.
It was a stupid crush she still felt for him, they were friends. They both agreed to just be friends, it was easier that way. But she still got butterflies when he touched her..
It didn't take Ella long to get to her apartment, punching in her apartment code and entering in, closing and locking it behind her. She made her way inside, tossing her bag on the dining table and walking over to her bed, flopping on her back as she closed her eyes and let out a deep, loud sigh.
"Ugh...Joe..Joe..Joe" She mumbled softly shaking her head.
But her eyes suddenly opened and she sat up slowly. She looked around her empty dark apartment for a moment, a weird feeling in the pit of her stomach. She blinked a few times before slowly standing and walking over to her bookshelf. She examined it for a moment before reaching her hand out and pushing a book back in place that seemed to be sticking out further than the others..was it always like that? Oh well. She shrugged it off quickly before turning and heading to the bathroom to take a quick shower for the night.
