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.”
With careful, slow steps, Jace walked Clarissa down the aisle to the gazebo. He made sure to watch his steps and not to step on her long purple gown, all while smiling at the guests on either side. There were a lot of money-hungry looking faces and fluttering eyelashes looking back at him, but no Ella. He hadn't seen her yet.
Jace waited for Clarissa to let go of her death grip on his arm before moving to stand next to Jace.
“You have the rings, right?” Jason whispered, smiling out at the audience.
“Rings? What rings?” Jace patted his coat pockets and shrugged, enjoying the panicked expression that came over poor Jason's face. The bridal music was starting, so he put his hand on Jason's shoulder before the panic could take over. “Don't worry, man. I have everything under control.”
Jason shot him a dirty look and was about to say something when the carriage, drawn by the two white horses he'd helped groom, arrived. Everyone turned and looked as Madelyn, glowing and radiant, stepped off the white carriage with the help of their father.
Jace's heart swelled with pride for his beautiful little sister. She had grown up so much in the past few years and their friendship had only gotten better. It had always been the two of them against the world, but with age and responsibility they had become even closer. He was going to miss having her all to himself, but he couldn't think of a better man than Jason to take her away.
Madelyn's hand fit neatly in their father's arm as they began the procession down the outdoor aisle. But Jace wasn't looking at Madelyn anymore. Despite the fact that Madelyn was stunning and perfect, it was another woman that had his complete attention. Peeking out from behind the carriage was Ella. She had her blonde hair pulled back into a simple, tight bun and was wearing a very conservative navy b
lue dress, but she was all he could see.
He watched as she sighed softly, moving to pet Commander's nose, and making sure the bride made it down the aisle safely. The happy, wistful smile made her face soft and warm. It took actual effort not to walk to her and kiss her.
Her eyes flickered up to his and he smiled. Hurt flashed across her face and she ducked back behind the big horse. Jace wasn't sure what to make of that. If anything, she should have been shocked or relieved to see he wasn't the groom. Hurt was the last thing he expected. He quickly replayed their last conversation in his mind and couldn't find anything that would make her disappointed in him.
If the impulse to go to her and kiss her was strong before, the urge to go and fix whatever hurt he had done to make her sad was even more intense. His right foot actually lifted from the gazebo floor before he caught himself. He was in a wedding. His little sister's wedding.
Madelyn would kill him. Literally.
Setting his foot back down, he moved slightly to the side to try and see around the horse and carriage, but she was gone. He shifted his feet again, but it was no use. Clarissa shot him a dirty look to stay still. He stopped arching his neck and tried to focus solely on the happy bride, but his thoughts kept drifting back to Ella. He needed to find her and talk to her. At least she would be at the reception. He smiled, feeling the lines of worry shift from his face as he thought of how he was going to ask her to dance at the reception.