Chapter 83 

Ella burst out laughing at this. “I don’t expect you to say anything sweetie. I just wanted to get that off my chest. I saw myself in you from the moment I met you, and I hope that my little rant can make even the slightest difference in your future.” 

I awkwardly nodded as I continued to stare at her. She must have picked up on my awkwardness because she linked her arm with mine and led us to continue our hike. 

From there, our conversation became much lighter. She told me some crazy stories from her freshman year in college. We eventually started talking about her and her husband Jake, and how the two of them met during her senior year when he gave a lecture to her class. He picked on her because she was talking in the middle of class, but after, he offered to take her out for coffee. Ella wouldn’t be Ella if she didn’t tell him to go to hell first. However, she eventually gave in after the poor guy sent her dozens of roses and stopped by every week after her class to see her. She finally agreed to go to dinner with him after a month of him begging, and the rest is history. 

I couldn’t help but gush at their story. It certainly wasn’t the most romantic story you’ll ever hear, but every girl dreams of having a guy like Jake swoon over them like that. 

By the time we had reached the end of the trail, all five miles of it I might add, I was exhausted. Ella 

suggested we grab a late lunch as she drove us to Lucky Platter, a small diner not too far from her 

parent’s house. 

She was craving breakfast at three in the afternoon so she ordered French Toast and a breakfast 

plate with eggs, bacon, sausage, and hash browns. Oh and did I forget to mention the Devil’s Food Chocolate Cake she had for desert? I stuck with a Texas burger topped with cheese, bacon, onions, and mayo. 

‘Oh god.” Ella said as she leaned back in the booth we were currently occupying. “I’m stuffed.” 

I chuckled as I saw she had only eaten only three fourths of what she had ordered. I decided to tease 

ner. “Well, you did kinda order half the menu!” 

‘Hey!” She said, playfully throwing a rumpled napkin at me as an elderly couple passed by our table eyeing us. “I’m eating for two!” 

Holding my hands up in surrender, “I’m only kidding!” 

I saw the waiter from the corner of my eye and I motioned for him to get us the check. I was in the 

16:08 

The Divorce Contract: Five Requests to Let YOU Goll 

49.4% 

Chapter st 

process of getting the card out of my wallet when Ella snatched the bill from the walter’s hands. “Don’t even think about it.” She said narrowing her eyes in slits at me. 

“Oh come on!” I began to argue, but I only got so far as she shot me another glare and motioned for 

me to put my card back. “Paying for lunch is the least I can do.” 

“Nope.” She replied as she took out her platinum American Express card and handed it to the waiter. The poor waiter just gave me an apologetic shrug as he walked away. 

1 

Once Ella and I were in the car, I was under the impression she would be taking me home. However, as I watched her make a left towards her parent’s house, I gave her a confused look. She must have picked up on what I was trying to say because she gave me a toothy grin and said, “Aiden might have mentioned that you’re a really good baker. I was hoping you’d bake me some red velvet 

cupcakes.” 

How could I possibly say no to a pregnant woman. I figured it was the least I could do after today. 

Truth be told, I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her rant in the park, and the more I thought 

about it the more her words rang true. For as long as I could remember, I had prioritized school and my work over everything else. The countless times I’d turned down plans with Brooke and Caroline 

ecause I had a test to study for, or an essay to write. Taking more AP classes than the average 

udent at our school because I wanted as much college credit as possible. 

Everything I had done since I entered high school has been carefully calculated and geared towards one thing – college and my career. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel like crap for missing out on fun times with my friends, but I had convinced myself that that was the price I had to pay so that I could reap the benefits later in life. 

Listening to Ella today talk about her best friend Anna made me reconsider my entire philosophy. 

“I think Aiden’s the only one home right now.” Ella said as she headed straight towards the kitchen. “Why don’t you go see what he’s up to. Maybe he’ll come join us.” 

I smirked at her, “I highly doubt it. He may be a distant relative of Einstein’s and an amazing soccer player, but your brother and the kitchen don’t mix well.” 

10:08 ·