But her obvious approval of Ellie, even after everything, broke the last little bit of resistance. Olivia never said anything she didn’t mean. She definitely didn’t coddle people. Kate, Sharon, the others, even Andrew, they were all kind of softies. Olivia wasn’t. The others might try to build Ellie up, just for the sake of building her up. Olivia wouldn’t. If she had something to say, she said it.

And all she’d said was that Ellie deserved what she wanted.

“I want to be her when I grow up,” Sharon said, still staring at the door Olivia had exited through in a worshipful way. “Can you imagine being so badass you don’t even need to be bad cop? It’s enough to just let people know you could be if they don’t cooperate?”

Straightening up, Ellie pushed herself up off of Andrew. It was time she stopped leaning on other men and actually worked for the one she wanted. After all, he’d spent a lot of time working for her. The thought made her heart pound, her mouth dry, and her palms sweaty, but looking at her friends she thought maybe... just maybe she could do it this time.

After all, the worst was over right? They’d confronted her and nothing terrible had happened. They even said Michael still wanted her. They thought she should be with him. Even Olivia thought so.

She didn’t have to do this alone, because her friends were there with her. Willing to support her. Seeking her out when she’d hidden away. Because they cared. The same way Michael did.

So now, maybe she should try being worthy of him instead of despairing over how she wasn’t.

“Okay,” she said, taking a deep breath as she stood, rubbing her sweaty palms on her yoga pants. She didn’t feel ready for this... but she also felt a lot better than she had all week. It was time to stop hiding, time to be brave. “So what do you guys think I should do?”

When the door to Marquis opened, Michael looked up expecting to see Patrick. Or Luke. One of the workers who had managed to sneak out without him noticing. Olivia. Lexie. Pretty much anyone in the world except the person standing there.

She stared at him, looking like a deer about to bolt, and Michael froze in fear of her doing so.

Of course, he’d chase her down - because she’d obviously come to the unfinished club during the day for a reason, and since neither Lexie nor Patrick were there, the only conclusion was she’d come looking for him - but he hoped he didn’t have to. He wanted her to come to him.

Maybe needed her to.

Once she did though... all bets were off. When a subbie offered, a Dom took. And Michael definitely wanted.