Yours Completely(14)

“I just realized, I never asked your name.” The woman turned and took Ella's hands in her own. Something about her blue eyes was incredibly familiar, but from where, Ella couldn't place.

“I'm Ella.”

“Thank you, Ella. I'm Madelyn.” The woman grinned as she turned back to the mirror. “And you're sure it's okay that I'm wearing your dress?”

“When you look this good in it, how can I say no?” Ella replied, a grin taking over her face.

“I really can't thank you enough. I was afraid I was going to have to get married in jeans and a white t-shirt.” Madelyn let out a sigh that sounded far heavier than just air as her fears over ruining the wedding disappeared. “I promise not to spill any red wine on it.”

“I might have to kill you if you did,” Ella teased, loving that Madelyn laughed without hesitation. The sound was genuine and refreshing.

Madelyn's hands skimmed the fabric, as if her eyes couldn't believe what her hands were feeling. “He's going to love it...”

Jace. She meant Jace was going to love it. The wonderful, handsome man that Ella had been trying not to think about all day was going to love it. Ella managed to keep the smile on her face without it cracking.

“Of course he will,” she agreed. Ella suddenly didn't want to be watching the bride wearing her dress, planning to marry the man she was dreaming of. “I need to finish my work. I'll have someone come up and clean the dress for you as soon as possible. If you need anything, just ask for me. I'm at your disposal for as long as you're here.”

Madelyn nodded absentmindedly, her eyes glued to the mirror as she took in the dress. “Of course. Thank you, Ella.”

Ella glanced back once before leaving the bridal suite. Madelyn looked so beautiful and happy that it made her heart ache. Ella would never have anything like that. She knew it deep in her bones. She wasn't made for that kind of simple joy.

Ella didn't pick up her cleaning supplies. She just left them tucked off to the side of the hall and hurried outside. She'd come back and finish her job later, but for now, she needed to clear her mind of the mix of emotions circling and tightening in her chest. Her mother's dress. Jace. Someone else's joy.

She needed some fresh air to refresh her heart and the gazebo by the lake was just the place she needed.





Chapter Five


Jace walked along the lake shore with quick, long strides. He was used to walking fast. In the business world, there was always someone to catch up to and someone to outrun. Life was a competition and only the strong and the fast survived.

He sighed. He needed to find a way to stop thinking like that. Madelyn was always telling him that he was becoming more and more like his father. He hated that. His father was a workaholic with no time for his wife or family. A brilliant businessman, but not a good parent and a terrible husband. Jace wanted to be better than his father. It was part of why he was going all out for Madelyn's wedding. The fact that he was putting in so much effort annoyed his father to no end.

He paused on the path, glancing around at the carefully manicured lawn and trees surrounding the lake. He hoped he hadn't missed it. He was looking for the small gazebo, the one Ella had mentioned last night. She had said the path was near the main gazebo, but so far he hadn't found it yet. To be honest, he wasn't really looking for the gazebo, he was hoping that he'd run into her again.

Ella.

Just thinking about her made him smile, which was strange. Jace was no stranger to women. The labels of “playboy” and “superficial” were justly earned. He'd had plenty of lovers and had enjoyed them all immensely. But Ella was different.

She was real. When she laughed, she threw her whole body into it. Her eyes sparkled when she smiled and when she was nervous, her blush was real, too. It was so different than the women he was used to. Plastic and born to manipulate, he was used to women who only wanted access to his pocketbook in exchange for a few good nights. He knew Ella was different.

She was honest. innocent, but not annoyingly so. Her smile and jokes had been real, and not just because he was a billionaire. If anything, for a moment, she had allowed him to feel normal. In just the hour he spent with her, she had him smiling and feeling more refreshed than any other company had in years.

Not to mention the chemistry. When she had fallen and he caught her, her body molded to his like she was made for him. She had felt so good in his arms, so right, that it was good they hadn't completed that kiss. Given how much dry hay was in that barn, any more sparks and the whole place would have gone up in flames. He'd never experienced such instant and strong attraction.

It was strange. And now, he couldn't seem to think of anyone else.