EllaIt was close to midnight, and Ella couldn’t sleep. Her mind was racing from the day. Jace. The helicopter. What happened next. She couldn’t sit still, let alone lay in bed and try and sleep.So, she went to the lobby bar and took over for the bartender. The bartender was more than happy to get off a couple hours early and get out of cleaning up, especially since there was only two customers left.Everything was quiet after the hustle and bustle of the wedding the day before. Ella was glad. Wiping down the bar and putting everything into place was soothing. She wished she could clean and organize her thoughts as easily, but Jace had her completely tangled up.The tax man, still wearing the same dark suit and thin tie- or one exactly like it- stood up and left the perfect amount of cash with a ten percent tip neatly on the counter. Ella groaned as she remembered she hadn't given his card to Delores yet. The fact that he was still here troubled her. What kind of trouble was Delores

Jace“Sir, it's time to go.”Jace sighed and glanced around the empty hotel lobby. He checked his watch, even though he knew it was long past when Ella should have arrived. Especially after all those text messages. Yet, still, he had hoped she would show up. The time was only two minutes and fifteen seconds different than the last time he had checked.This isn't going to work out.I can't lie to you anymore. I have someone else.You aren't special.You were going to find out eventually, so I'll just spare you now. I don't want this.I'm not coming tomorrow.You need to leave.The text messages still burned on his phone. There were more, but just looking at them made him want to cry. They seared into his soul. He had missed the first two he was so busy working. He'd immediately messaged her back, begging her to let him come see her. She'd said no, that it would only hurt them both.This weekend was magical. But magic isn't real. I don't want to hurt you. Please, just leave me alone. Go

JaceJace stared at the log-on screen to his laptop for the third time. Outside, the clouds hummed past the streamlined jet, but inside, he was stuck. He'd opened and shut his computer at least three times. Each time he tried to get work done, Ella's face would pop into his head and he'd lose his concentration.His phone burned as if on fire. He'd already read the messages four times, in between each open and closing of his laptop. Something about it bothered him. It wasn't right. The words sounded enough like Ella, but she would have told him in person. She never would have missed saying goodbye.This wasn't how things were supposed to happen. This wasn't how the story was supposed to play out and Jace knew it.He was wrong to have left without looking for her further. He should know better than to follow in his father's bitter footsteps.Jace needed to see her. He needed a real goodbye, and if she really did want to push him away, then... well, he could deal with it. But he needed t

One year later...Everything was ready. Or as ready as it was going to be.It felt different being on this end of the preparations.“Okay, the caterer is set up and on time, here's your bouquet, the DJ is already set, the photographer is just finishing up the boys shots, and the only thing that seems to be an issue is your lack of smile,” Mia said, peering over her clipboard at the bride.Ella forced a weak smile. “Better?”Mia, Ella's new assistant, shook her head. “No. Seriously, I have this under control. I have since day one. That's why you hired me.”“I know.” Ella sighed and smoothed her hair again. It was hair-sprayed so well that a hurricane wouldn't undo it, yet she kept feeling like it was going to tumble all around her. “I'm just nervous. It wasn't like this for the other weddings.”“The other weddings weren't your wedding,” Mia reminded her with a gentle smile. “Now, put on a smile, go have a drink of champagne with your bridesmaids, and let me handle everything. That's wh