Yours Completely(32)

“Is something wrong?”

Ella spun at the deep voice. Staring at her with kind, brown eyes was a tall man in a tuxedo matching Jace's. He wasn't as striking as Jace, but he was still very attractive.

“I, uh....” Ella stumbled over her words. She couldn't just blurt out the bad news to everyone she met. She quickly plastered the hotel industry smile on her face. “It's nothing. Can I help you?”

“I hope so.” The man smiled nervously and held out a small box with a pink bow. “My fiancee is in there. I have something I'd like to give her, but it's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding. Any luck you could give it to her?”

“Your fiancee?” Ella stumbled over the word. Perhaps he was engaged to one of the bridesmaids...

He nodded. “Yes, Madelyn. I've been waiting for someone to come out, but I think they're all busy in there getting ready.”

“Madelyn is your fiancee.” Ella knew she sounded like an idiot, but she couldn't help it. “You must be Jason, then. They don't call you Jace, do they?”

The man laughed and Ella could see why Madelyn found him so appealing. The guy had a great laugh. “No, Jace is Madelyn's brother. If anything, they call me Jay.”

Ella had to stifle her own maniacal happy laugh. The groom wasn't cheating on anyone. There was no bad news to deliver to Madelyn. Ella didn't have to ruin the wedding. Everything was fine.

Well, other than the fact that Jace was a man-whore. Ella decided to ignore that part for a moment. Her heart felt lighter, but that was only because it was empty.

“I'd be honored to give your present to Madelyn,” Ella announced, not having to fake the smile filling her face. “I'm sure she'll love it.”

“Thank you.” Jason's face split into a grin. “Make sure to tell her it's from Jason, not Jace. I hate it when the two of us get mixed up.”

“That happens?” Ella asked.

“Occasionally. Usually, it just makes for a funny story,” Jason said. He handed her the box and looked like he might do a dance down the hallway.

“I can only imagine,” Ella agreed. On impulse, she stepped forward and hugged him. He had no idea how grateful she was that he was the groom and not Jace, but she didn't care. She could be the weird random lady hugging people today. “Congratulations on your wedding.”

“Thanks,” he said slowly, cocking his head at her as she stepped back. He frowned slightly and turned to walk down the hallway. “Sure are friendly here,” he murmured as he left.

This time, the pause before opening the door was one of excitement rather than dread. Madelyn didn't need to know about her brother's activities. He was a full-grown male and could do whatever, or whoever, he pleased. It wasn't like they were dating anyway. She had no claim on him.

“Forget him,” she commanded as she knocked before entering. “You don't need someone like that.”

She wasn't going to think about him. It was silly to think that they'd even shared anything. He was probably just stringing her along to get her into the sack. If he'd bang Allison on Delores's desk, he wasn't someone she needed in her life. She deserved better than that. She was going to go give this beautiful gift to the happy bride and enjoy the rest of the day. After all, it wasn't every day that she got to help a friend marry the love of her life.





Chapter Thirteen


“You ready?” Jace asked, grinning widely at his soon-to-be brother-in-law. Jason was busy fixing the cuff links on his tuxedo and hadn't seen the crowd yet. Jace peered out the door at the wedding area. Guests were seated and waiting patiently for the wedding to start. The white wooden frame of the gazebo was perfect against the blue of the lake and Jace could only imagine how pleased Madelyn was going to be with the pictures.

“Hell, yes.” Jason's voice was strong and sure, but his hands were shaking as he pulled at the bow-tie encircling his throat.

“Good.” Jace opened the door from the hotel and pushed Jason through it. The other man managed not to stumble, but he did blanch slightly at the sight of the crowd awaiting him. For as long as Jace and Jason had been friends, Jason had disliked standing in front of large crowds.

Jason straightened his shoulders and held his chin high as he walked down the aisle to stand and wait for his bride. He showed no fear, just excitement. Jace was proud of him.

Once under the gazebo, he turned and looked at Jace, knowing that as his best man, Jace would have to come down eventually. There were a lot of people seated out there.

“Don't let me trip, okay?” Clarissa, the maid of honor, came up behind him and latched onto his arm. She held onto him as if she were expecting someone to reach out and push her over. He patted the back of her hand, watching as Jason's younger brother walked down the aisle with Gwen beaming at his side. “I'm scared my shoe is going to get stuck in the grass or something.”