Chapter 311

“Wor’s me,” Jennifer Take cried, laying it on thick.

Ella snorted from the side. “Then I deserve some cash too?”

When Stephanie and the Harts had their big fallout, Ella couldn’t believe they’d stooped so low as to cut Sha’s card. She’d felt awful for her, thinking they’d crossed every line.

Stephanie gave them both a look. “You two are a real comedy act?”

She turned to Jennifer. “You got the files?”

Jennifer nodded fast. “Yep, right here.”

She reached into her bag, pulled out a stack of papers, and handed them over. Stephanie flipped through a couple of pages before passing them to Ella.

Ella grabbed the files, glancing over them. “So, it’s really back to Fiorenza, huh?” Her voice got quiet, a little sad, as she stared at the papers.

Stephanie nodded slightly. “Yeah, sooner or later.”

Truth was, Sebastian popping up in Long Harbor or not, Stephanie had been dying to get back. For two years, she’d kept tabs on Fiorenza, never letting it slip. She’d been waiting for the right shot—just didn’t expect Sebastian to jump in.

Jennifer’s head jerked up, panic in her eyes. “Wait, you’re bailing? What about the studio? Am I about to lose my job? Please, no,” she groaned to herself. This gig was solid, paid decent—she wasn’t ready to let it go.

Stephanie shrugged, cool as ever. “Already got a new boss lined up for you guys.”

Jennifer’s eyes flicked to Ella, her fingers gripping the table edge.

Ella looked up with a smirk. “Stick with me, Jennifer. I won’t screw up the good thing she hooked you up with.”

“Miss Giovanni…” Jennifer’s voice went soft, her eyes getting misty as she looked at Stephanie. She was leaving, yeah, but she’d still set them up nicely. She would never find a boss like that again.

Stephanie brushed it off. “Cut the tears. Nothing lasts forever.”

At least the time they’d had together mattered, she thought.

While they sorted out the paperwork, Jennifer’s phone buzzed. She excused herself and stepped out of the sunroom to answer it.

Ella jumped at the chance, eyeing Stephanie’s neck. “What’s that mark?”

Stephanie froze. “What?”

Her hand flew up, yanking her sweater collar higher to hide it.

Ella grinned. “Too late, I saw it.”

If she hadn’t tried to cover it, Ella might’ve figured it was just a bug bite. But that quick move? It gave the whole game away.

Stephanie’s face turned pink. She dipped her head, pressing her lips together to hold back a goofy little smile.

Ella raised an eyebrow. “So, you and him are a thing now?”

Stephanie nodded easily. “Yeah.”

No point dodging it with Ella—she just put it out there, straight up.

Ella’s eyes flickered, a little worry creeping in. “You sure about all that drama in Fiorenza?”

“He’s got me covered,” Stephanie said, calm and solid.

No matter what went down, Sebastian had her back. She knew it deep down, no question.

Ella arched her brows again. “You trust him that much, huh?”

That quiet sureness in Stephanie’s tone made Ella sneak another look her way.

Stephanie shrugged, casually. “It’s the kind of trust you wouldn’t get.”

Sebastian had been looking out for her since they were kids—always there, rock steady. That kind of bond didn’t shake, no matter what.

Ella gave a little nod. “Alright, well, I’ll keep this studio running smooth for you. Hope it doesn’t end up your Plan B.”

If Stephanie killed it in Fiorenza, awesome. If not, the studio would still be there. Ella kept that part to herself.

Stephanie felt a warm little glow inside, a quiet thanks.

Ella waved it off. “Don’t go getting mushy. I’m just like Jennifer—some broke girl worrying about a princess getting hassled.”

Back then, she’d legit panicked over what the Hart family might pull on Stephanie. Turns out, she’d stressed for nothing—big-time backup was already in the mix.

Stephanie gave her a fake stink-eye. “Knock it off, or your mom will teach you some lesson again.”

Ella grinned. After two hours hanging in the sunroom, she and Jennifer finally got up to head out. They were at the door, hands on the knob, when Sebastian walked in. Two randoms followed him, all three giving off this vibe like they owned the place.

Ella figured she’d seen enough of life to have some street sense. But Sebastian? And that guy next to him? They hit different—danger rolled off them, even from across the room.

She and Jennifer weren’t about to play greeters. That kind of energy made them hang back, keeping it chill.

But as they crossed paths, a slick patch of snowy ground screwed Ella over. Her foot slipped.

“Whoa!” she yelped, arms flailing as she lost it. Her hand grabbed whatever was close.

She hit the ground hard, landing on her butt, pain shooting up before she could even think. Then—wham—something heavy crashed down on her.

“Ugh!” Ella groaned, squashed under it, struggling to breathe.

Macro stopped short. “What the—”

“Hey, what’s happening?” He got over to help.

Sebastian turned, his cool stare landing on the mess, a tiny frown creasing his face. Lorenzo—the one who’d fallen on Ella—was already getting up with Macro’s help. Then he felt a pull at his waist. He looked down.

Ella’s hand was locked onto his belt buckle, holding on like it was a lifeline. Her eyes went huge.

Lorenzo’s stare turned sharp.

Realizing she’d grabbed his belt, Ella’s brain froze. “Oh God, I—I didn’t mean to! Sorry, I—”

‘Holy crap, what did I just do?’ Her mind went into full meltdown.

“You letting go or what?” Lorenzo grumbled, jaw tight. There was a hard edge in his eyes, his voice cold as the snow crunching under them.