“I miss you.”
She had no idea that those three little words could sound so perfect. “Really?”
“Yeah. I really missed you.” He smiled taking a step toward her. “I’m not good at this. Honestly I don’t know how to…You’re the first woman I have ever… I love you, Leya.”
“What?” She gasped completely taken off guard.
“I know this is bad timing. I mean you’re still getting over something horrible and I tried to give you space…” He swallowed as he fretfully rubbed the back of his neck.
He tried to give her space, that’s why he hadn’t come around. Thrill shot through her and before she knew what she was doing, her arms wrapped themselves around his neck as her mouth found his.
“I had hoped you’d respond like this.” He revealed between kisses.
She giggled, loving the feel of him in his arms. “I love you too.” Pulling back far enough to look at him she gave him a playful frown. “I could smack you for leaving.”
“I should let you. But when Jace offered me that job, I wanted to stable myself before I could ask you to marry me.”
“Marry you?!”
“Well yeah. You’re everything to me, Leya.” He whispered across her lips.
“You know, you didn’t have to get a job first. I have money. Lots of money. And after what you did for me and Victor you deserve to be paid…”
“I don’t want your money. Although if you want to pay me I take other forms of payment.” He smiled wickedly.
Her eyebrows shot up. “Oh, really? Like what?” She asked playfully while glancing at the staircase that led to her room.
“I think you know.” He growled hugging her closer.
Nodding she took his hand. “Yes. I do.” While she escorted him to her room she smiled to herself. For the first time in her life she knew everything was going to be alright.
Ella
Ella Hall sat at her kitchen-table with the phone pressed to her ear. In one full sentence Leya told her she had a brother that no one told her about, and he had tried to kill her and her butler. Oh, and she was getting married to Jasper, Ella couldn’t forget that part.
Shaking her head Ella took a deep breath. “So…You’re okay? Maddie said it got pretty crazy at your house.” It sucked living across the state. Unless she drove the two hours to get to any one of her friends, she was always the last to hear anything.
“Yeah, for a few weeks it did.” Leya admitted with a sigh. “But once everything calmed down it was wonderful. Jasper’s wonderful…”
She didn’t miss the dreamy sound in her friend’s voice. “I’m so happy for you, Leya.” Ella said trying to sound happy. Even though she was genuinely excited for her long time friend, she couldn’t help but feel a little jealous.
While Leya rambled on and on about Jasper and the wedding, Ella sat quietly allowing her eyes to slowly look over Sophia’s wedding invitation. It was the fourth one she got over the last month. Her calendar was filled from June to December with Bachelorette parties, bride’s maids’ fittings, and of course the actual wedding themselves.
Through it all she couldn’t help the feeling of being envious of her friends.
She had been married for four years and there had not been a day that she had wondered if she had made the wrong choice. Marrying Matt had been a whim. She had felt at the time he had been her only choice, the mean to an end. Unfortunately, now she was starting to learn that wasn’t the case.
Moving to a little town, that didn’t even make it on a map, had been her idea of expanding her horizons. In truth, she had been running from feelings she didn’t want to acknowledge. Luckily Maddie and Sophia had found out the truth before they got married to the wrong man. She had to figure it out the hard way.
Glancing at the clock that was mounted above her stove she realized Matt should’ve been home an hour ago. She wanted to lie to herself and say that he was probably at the gas station talking about the upcoming hunt. Unfortunately, she couldn’t lie to herself anymore. She didn’t care enough to.
A soft knock on the back window had Ella looking up at her neighbor Cassie Miller. Ella smiled and waved for her friend to come in. Saying a quick good-bye to Leya, she welcomed her neighbor with a soft “Hello.”
“Hi, there.” Cassie greeted as she closed the sliding glass door behind her. Although Cassie was the same age as Ella she dressed like a woman in her fifties. Her hair was piled up on the top of her head, while her white tee shirt was tucked nicely into her baggie pants. The girl could be a real knock-out if she tried. “Where’s your hubby?”
Her friend’s question hung in the space between them. She knew the other woman’s curiosity was laced with suspicion. In a town this small when your husband comes home late everyone notices.
Picking up Sophia’s wedding invite she fought back tears. Who was she kidding? Her marriage was a joke and everyone could see it.
Cassie waved a dismissive hand in front of her while she took a seat at the table. Grabbing the magazine that had been sitting face-up, she whistled as she tapped on the front page. “Now, he’s a looker!”
Ella let out a small sigh. Cassie was a real friend. Although, her attempt to change the subject backfired without her realizing it.
Clearing her throat, Ella sat up a little straighter. “That’s Colin Russo. He’s one of the world’s youngest billionaires.”
“Really? Well…Well…” Cassie wiggled her eyebrows. “Sexy and rich? Sounds dangerous to me.”
Tell me about it. Ella swallowed the lump in her throat. Dangerous was absolutely the right word for it. Pushing some of her unruly curls behind her ear she wondered how much she should tell her friend.
She had to fight back a smile as she remembered Colin coming to their home for the first time. He had been waiting in the den for her father, who was counseling him on some legal issues, when she walked in unexpectedly on him. The memory of Colin standing in her father’s den looking amazing in every way had her fighting back tears. He was polite at first, not letting her hide behind her book. He had smiled at her, even flirted a little. He had told her how beautiful her eyes were and damn her, she had believed him.
“He’s actually very sweet. It’s not just the physical attraction that lures you in; it’s his charm, his wit, and his excellent taste in books.” Ella confessed without looking at her friend. Colin had complimented the book she had been holding like a shield at the time. Once he started commenting on the author he had her laughing and joking right along with him. She fell hard in that one moment. He was so perfect…too perfect.
“You’ve met him?” Cassie asked as she turned his picture for Ella to see it better.
Though she didn’t need to see it. She knew his face line by line. Which was pathetic on so many levels. “Yeah, I’ve met him.”
“Really? When? Where?” Cassie dropped the magazine giving Ella her complete attention.
Reaching across her small table she turned to the page she had been avoiding and laid it out in front of Cassie. “He’s my brother-in-law.”
The picture of her identical twin standing arm in arm with the man Ella had wanted from the moment she had met him was agonizing. Ella wanted him, Amy got him. He was the captain of the football team all over again. Only this time, the sting of it wasn’t going away.
“Holy, crap! I knew you had a twin, but…” She glanced at the picture then back. “If I had just picked this up in a supermarket I would’ve thought it was you.”
She had to laugh at her neighbor’s comment. “Yeah, I know. Our hair and our ears are the only difference between us.”
Cassie cocked one eyebrow. “Ears? How are your ears different?”
Ella pushed back her hair and pointed to the three little freckles that lined her earlobe. “I have them. Amy doesn’t.”
“Huh. That’s interesting.” She said leaning a little closer. “You know, I had cousins who were twins. The only difference I ever saw was that one was really outgoing and the o
ther was shy, kinda kept to herself.”
Same could be said about her and her sister. When they were young it was Thea and her against Amy and Thea’s sister Mytrice. Amy and Mytrice got all the cute boys; while she and Thea sat back wishing they did.
Not that Amy was ever mean to her. It was just painfully obvious who the better twin was. And her sister kept on proving she was better in every way.
“Are they happy?” Cassie’s question came out of nowhere.
“Yes. I guess. Why do you ask?”
“Because they don’t look like it.” She stated bluntly.
Ella took another look at their smiling faces and shrugged. “How can you tell?”
Letting out a low breath, Cassie pointed at Colin’s perfect face. “In magazines and on television everyone looks happy and content, but you can always tell when they’re faking. It’s in their body language. See? They are leaning away from each other.”
Giving her friend a doubtful look she shook her head. “Maybe. But they’ve been talking about having a baby. So…”
“So, what?” Cassie stood slowly. “I’m sorry, Ella. But I’m usually never wrong about this.” Stretching her arms out, she wiggled her fingers. “I should be a physic to the stars. You know I called that whole Angelina Jolie-Brad Pitt thing long before it happened.”
Ella chuckled softly as she gave her sister’s picture another quick look. Some part of her hoped her friend was wrong. She didn’t want her sister unhappy. Unfortunately, the ugly dark side of her, which she tried to ignore, hoped Cassie was right.
Amy Russo forged a smile as she entered her husband’s den. It took everything she had not to throw something at him when he didn’t even look up from his stupid computer. He knew she had entered he just didn’t care to say anything.
After four years of marriage nothing had changed. Sure the first two years had been fun. He took her shopping in Paris, fine dining in Italy, dropped thousands on her in London so she would look her best for a Royal Ball held by her Majesty the Queen. Unfortunately, it had taken her those two years before she realized he wasn’t doing it for her.
Colin was a billionaire. He rubbed elbows with not just the rich but the extremely wealthy. She was nothing more than a prize to the “who has the prettiest wife” contest. Now with the pressure from the media he had been talking baby. It took everything she had not to laugh in his face when he basically told her that they should have a child.
Yeah, a baby wasn’t going to happen for them. Not only is she not the motherly type, but having a child with a man who only wanted to look good for the press was out of the question. No one should ever bring a child into a loveless marriage, ever.
“Colin.” Amy barked into the room tired of waiting for him to acknowledge her.
His emerald green eyes shot over to her from the monster sized computer screen. “Yes?”
He really was quite attractive, she will give him that. Leya had told her once that he looked a lot like Christian Bale. In certain lights Amy would have to agree. Regrettably, Bale look-a-like, billions in the bank, and a brain that would match Einstein’s doesn’t mean happily ever after. She just wished she would have figured that out sooner.
Plastering on her fake smile she walked around his desk calmly. “I was thinking of taking a little vacation.”
He lifted one eye brow slightly. “Oh? Where might I ask?”
“I haven’t spent a lot of time with my sister lately. I want to take her to our home in Hawaii, and spend some time with her.” Even though she stated her words matter-of-factly, her heart was racing. She couldn’t let him know what she was really up to.
She watched as he took a deep breath. “The opening of the new Egyptian exhibit is next week. Will you be back before then?”
Ah, yes. The Egyptian exhibit. Colin’s new project had his whole team of archaeologist flying in and out of Egypt for the past few months in an endless fight to gain the attention of one woman. Apparently this woman had connections in Egypt that would bring Colin’s project to a whole new level.
To her the whole thing was boring and brought her to tears every time he dragged her to one of the events. She was only to stand there and look pretty. Not this time. “Yes, of course.”
His dark green eyes landed right on her. “Alright. Do what you have to do.” Turning back to his computer he dismissed her without a second look.
Colin had always been very intimidating; it was what made him such a successful business man. Though, to her it had just become annoying. “Great.” She gritted her teeth as she turned on her heel and left.
This weekend was exactly what she needed. She headed down the hall towards her room with a new sense of herself. As she shut her bedroom door she found herself thinking over Colin’s question about when she would return. She couldn’t help but think that she might not ever come back.
Making sure she had everything Ella glanced out the window once again. Amy’s limo was to arrive at any given minute. Unfortunately, it wasn’t soon enough. She listened to Matt as he barreled down the stairs and into the living room. Their chocolate colored Labradors greeted him with soft whimpers and whines as they rubbed up against his legs.
Paying no attention to either one of the dogs Matt’s eyes went from her face to her luggage then back. “So, you are going?”
For the past few weeks Matt had been taking his sweet time getting home, and it seemed as if each day he kept getting later. She didn’t even get the chance to tell him about her sister’s invitation in person she had to leave a message on his work phone. His response was coming home starting a fight with her and leaving once again.
“I’ll be back on Monday.” She stated simply.
With a snort he turned away from her, heading for the kitchen. “I leave on Wednesday for that job assignment.”
Taking a deep breath she accepted each dog as they returned back to her side. She massaged both sets of furry ears before she glanced at the decorative wall clock. “I’ll be back in time.” She reassured softly.
“And if you’re not?” He barked from the kitchen as he slammed the door to one of the cupboards, “The dogs will be left alone for too long.”
Ella slowly walked into the kitchen. “Matt, I don’t see my sister that often. It will only be for the weekend. If something happens then I’ll call Cassie to come and check on the dogs.”
He grunted as he set his glass down. “I guess I wouldn’t be much of a husband if I told you not to go to Hawaii.”
Her vision blurred for a moment as she looked down at the floor. Taking in a deep breath she knew this would be the only good-bye she would be receiving from him. Amy never would have put up with him. Her sister would put him in his place without thinking twice about it, while she stood there fiddling with a button on her coat.
A car’s horn blared from the outside letting Ella know that her ride had arrived. Walking into the living-room she began to gather her luggage, while Matt made his way over to the bay window.
“A limo? Well La-De-Da.” Matt’s deep voice boomed over the small living area. “I guess you must go. Especially if you’re going to ride in style.”
His mocking tone set her teeth on edge. He usually won their arguments knowing she wasn’t very good at confrontations. But this was going too far. He was being disrespectful and rude. Balling her fist she turned and faced him fully. “I need to leave Matt. I need time to think about us.”
He said nothing as he crossed his arms in front of his chest. Clicking his teeth together he eyed her carefully. “What do you need to think about?”
“Come on Matt.” She started as she threw one of her bags over her shoulder. “You come home whenever you like. Which is actually a blessing some days, because when you are home all you do is complain. You complain about my cooking, the way I do your laundry, how I clean the bathrooms.”
Breathing out slowly she realized that once the truth was out there wasn’t any stopping it. Though, God help her, it felt good to finally say it out
loud. Shaking her head Ella slowly grabbed the rest of her luggage right as the limo blasted its horn once again. With more calm then she felt she simply stated. “I know I’ve been falling out of love with you, but now I’m not sure if I even like you.”
Matt stumbled back as if she had slapped him. “What?”
“I’m sorry. But it’s true.” With that she left, without turning back.
Hawaii was more beautiful then Ella thought it would be. Warmer then she thought as well. As she stepped off the plane she wished she had worn a lighter shirt under her coat. The humidity alone had her felling like a steamed turkey, and she only just stepped into the door of the plane.
“Hey, Ella!” Her sister’s voice called to her over the commotion of the airport.
Ella waved as she saw her twin standing next to a stretched out SUV. The strange looking limo did little to take the attention away from her sister. Amy looked prefect in her soft flowing sundress, floppy hat and designer strappy, sandals.
“How have you been?” Amy smiled as she met Ella at the bottom of the boarding stairs. “Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the weather.” She laughed while she tugged on Ella’s bulky sweater. “Sometimes I screw up on the details.”
Ella shook her head. “It’s alright.”
“No it’s not! You’re dying of heat!” Amy stated as she took her sister’s hand. “Come on let’s get you into a nice cool limo, with a nice cool drink.”
“That sounds wonderful.” Ella agreed while she let Amy escort her towards the limo.
Once inside Amy handed her a peach colored drink. “So, was Matt okay with you coming?”
“Yeah, something like that.” Ella answered under her breath. Not wanting to go any further into it she quickly asked. “So, what’s up? How’s everything?”
“Oh, well you know. My life is a constant go.” Amy laughed. “That’s actually why I needed this vacation. I just need some down time and I wanted to spend it with you. We don’t spend any time together anymore.”
Then & Now Page 23