LOST

Chapter 4

Ella’s POV

“What a pleasant surprise. I wasn’t expecting your call so soon,” Arthur said, his voice smooth and teasing through the phone.

I took in a steadying breath, squared my shoulders, and plastered the most confident smile I could muster, even though he couldn’t see it. My heart was pounding, but I pushed through it.

“Well, Mr. Logan, it seems luck has shone brightly upon you today,” I said, letting a playful smirk dance on my lips.

“Oh? Is that so?” he replied, amusement warm in his tone.

“Yes,” I continued, settling onto the couch and crossing my legs like I wasn’t about to hyperventilate. “I’ve decided to go on that date with you.”

“Wait… seriously?” His voice lifted with genuine surprise, and unmistakable excitement.

“Absolutely. I figured, why not? It’s just a date, right?” I tried to keep my tone flirty and relaxed. But inside? I was a complete mess. My hands were sweating, and I had to discreetly wipe them on my jeans.

I hadn’t done this in years, five, to be exact. Five years of being off the dating scene, five years of wasting time on someone who clearly didn’t see my worth. But now, here I was. Taking a step.

“Okay then,” Arthur said, clearly pleased. “Luck really is on my side today. And trust me, you won’t regret it.”

“I hope so,” I said with a small laugh. “I don’t just go on dates with guys I meet at clubs, you know.”

“I get it,” he said, his voice softening. “But I promise, it’ll be worth your time.”

“So…” he continued after a brief pause. “How about Friday? Can I pick you up around 7 p.m.?”

I nodded instinctively, then realized he couldn't see me. “Sure, Friday works. I’ll send you my address.”

“Perfect. I can’t wait,” he said, and I could hear the genuine anticipation in his voice.

“Alright. See you soon,” I replied, quickly ending the call before I could second-guess myself. I leaned back on the couch and closed my eyes, releasing a shaky breath.

Oh God. I actually did it.

A date. A real one. With a real, attractive, interested man. After years of being with the wrong person

“Okay, it’s cool,” I whispered aloud, trying to calm the rising panic in my chest. “I can do this. It’s just one date. Just a conversation over dinner. I’ve got five days to mentally prepare. I’ll be fine.”

Right?

“Okay, what did I miss?” a familiar voice cut through my spiral.

I looked up to see Alex leaning against the doorway, one eyebrow arched, a knowing smirk on her face.

“What are you doing here? I thought you were at the shop?” I asked, trying, and failing, to sound casual.

“I was. But Evelyn’s got it under control, so I figured I’d come to check in on you,” she said, walking in and flopping onto the couch beside me. “Now spill. You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

I sighed. “I called Arthur.”

Her eyes widened. “Wait, like Arthur... Arthur? Club guy? Suave smile? Flirty texts Arthur?”

I nodded.

“And?”

“I said yes. To the date.”

“Ella!” she gasped. “I thought you said you weren’t ready!”

“I did… but then I started thinking I don't want to wait my time wallowing over Liam, Liam is my past, I have to look to the future. I think I am ready.

Alex’s expression softened. “Are you sure you are really ready?

I nodded. Liam has moved on like I meant nothing. So Why shouldn’t I?”

“Because it has to be your decision. Not some knee-jerk reaction to Liam being a jerk,” she said gently. “I pushed you too, and I’m sorry for that. But don’t do this to prove a point to anyone.”

“I’m not,” I said, trying to sound more certain than I felt. “Okay… maybe I was at first. But now? I want this. I want to move forward. I want to feel something again, even if it’s just butterflies over a stupid dinner.”

Alex studied me for a second, then gave in with a sigh. “Alright. If you’re truly sure.”

“I am.”

“Well then,” she said, pulling me into a hug, “I’m proud of you. Nervous as hell for you, but proud.”

“Thanks,” I said, smiling as my nerves returned with full force.

“So when’s this date?”

“Friday. 7 p.m.”

“Oh, we’ve got time,” Alex said with a grin that made my stomach twist, not in fear, but in that very specific way that meant trouble.

“What are you thinking?” I asked warily.

“Oh, just that we need to get your date look on point,” she said, eyes sparkling. “Come on. Closet. Now.”

“Do we really have to do this tonight?”

“Yes, girl! You can’t just throw on your work jeans and hope for the best. First date in five years? You need to look like a goddess.”

Groaning, I let her drag me toward my bedroom. And so began the fashion show.

Outfit after outfit. Dresses that were too snug. Tops that felt too revealing. Skirts that hadn’t seen daylight since college. Nothing felt right.

“Christ, Ella,” Alex groaned. “You seriously don’t have a good date outfit?”

“I thought I did,” I said, frustrated.

“Well, clearly you don’t,” she muttered, arms crossed. “And to make matters worse, you’re not my size.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“I’m just saying… if you were, you could borrow one of mine. But now…” Her face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning. “You know what this means, right?”

I groaned. “Please no.”

“Oh yes. We are going shopping!” she squealed.

And just like that, I knew I was in for a long ride.