Yours Completely (Billionaires and Brides 1)

Ella squeezed her hands. “You need it more than I do right now.” She shrugged. “Let me get it and see if it will even work.”

The woman paused, clearly considering saying no again, but the spark of hope was starting to form in the woman's eyes. “Okay. It's at least a place to start. Thank you.”

Ella grinned and quickly ran out the door. The cellar wasn't far, but it was musty. The door was heavy and always getting stuck. They'd had one poor waitress stuck for two hours when she accidentally closed the door behind her. Ella made sure to push the door open as far as possible and position a brick in the door frame just in case.

The inn kept wines and miscellaneous bar items in the front portion of the cellar, but hidden in the back, far behind all the bottles, was a small storage area. No one ever went back there except Ella. She wasn't even sure Delores even knew half the things that were stored in the dry cool back room.

If she did, she'd probably sell them, Ella thought as she found the heavy wooden box holding the dress. She held it reverently for a moment, clutching it to her chest and closing her eyes. Ella's mother had died just after she was born, so she didn't have any real memories of her. Just the stories her father used to tell her.

This box, some photographs, and a few old letters tucked carefully under her mattress, were the only things she had left of her mother. Yet, the offer to let a stranger wear the dress didn't even phase her. Yes, the dress held special meaning to Ella, but somehow, this felt right. Like it was supposed to happen this way.

Like her mother would have wanted this.

With a grin on her face and hope in her heart, Ella raced back upstairs. Winded, but still smiling, she found the bride sitting on the bed with her hands folded in her lap staring at the ruined dress.

The woman looked up as Ella walked in, holding out the box like a present. The woman's hands shook as she reached for the box, her eyes filled with unexpected hope. She set the lid to the side and paused. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” Ella said, taking the dress out herself. “I'm sure.”

The dress was just as beautiful as Ella remembered. A white, satin, sweetheart bodice flowed into a full skirt. Long lace sleeves, delicately feminine and beautiful, accented the dress and made it stunning, yet demure. It was the perfect dress

“It's beautiful...” whispered the bride, her eyes welling with tears as she gingerly touched a lace sleeve.

“Try it on,” Ella coached. The other woman grinned, carefully taking the dress in her arms and moving to the bathroom.

The sounds of satin and quiet movement were the only noises in the room and they echoed through Ella's mind. She thought of the pictures of her grandmother and mother in this dress, and the way they had smiled as they married their best friends. Thoughts of her future self putting on the dress for someone, someone like Jace, made her chest tight. She pushed the thoughts away. The inn was enough for now.

The bathroom door creaked open and the bride peeked out before emerging. Ella gasped.

It was a perfect fit.

“Will you help me with the laces and buttons?” she asked, blushing as she stepped out into the room. “I couldn't get them by myself.”

Ella went behind her, quickly finding the laces to cinch the waist tight and the buttons to finish closing the dress as the bride stood and stared into the mirror. The dress was even more stunning on a living person. A hint of jealousy flipped in Ella's stomach, but she pushed it away. This wasn't about her. Not today. Ella looked up to see a tear trickle down her new friend's face.

“It's so perfect,” the woman whispered, wiping at her cheek. “Thank you.”

“You're welcome,” Ella replied, grinning at their reflections in the mirror. The excitement and relief of the bride was palpable.

“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 he

r 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.”