by Kristy Gibs
“What do you think?” I said, and she chuckled.
With two big slices of pie in her hands, she came and sat across from me at the long marble island.
“It was amazing. Zia and Zio were sad you didn’t come and visit.” My father’s aunt and uncle loved my mother and Connor. They were happy my mother was able to find love after my father.
“Well, maybe when we’re there for the wedding...”
“Yeah, they would love that. I learned so much and saw so many beautiful places. I can’t wait to go back and to return to Greece someday. The pictures don’t do it justice.”
“Any boys?’
I froze mid-bite. There was no way I was going to tell my mother about Preston. She would understand, but I didn’t need to add any more stress to her already overflowing plate. Despite Mia including Mom in the planning, the chances of her making it easy were slim.
“There was one... Kind of... But we were too different. It would have never worked out.” I looked the other way, hoping she wouldn’t dig.
Before she could comment, her cell phone went off. “It’s Connor. Hold that thought, honey.” My mother grinned as she answered the phone and spoke to him. They really did love each other. Even after all these years, Connor always made my mom smile, and they still had fun together. Whether they were off traveling the world or sitting on the couch watching a movie, they were always content together. I want that.
“Okay, honey. I will let Ella know the plan. I love you too. See you tonight.” She hung up the phone and turned back to me. “Seems we will be having the Channings over for dinner Friday night.”
A pit formed in my stomach. Mom moved around the kitchen, pulling out several cookbooks, no doubt planning out what she would make. She turned back toward me. “Can you make sure you’re around? Connor is going to tell Jax he has to come too. It’s just going to be the immediate families.”
No matter how much I didn’t want to be at the dinner, I had to.
“Sorry, sweetie, what were we talking about?” My mother silently panicked about dinner. She loved to cook and have company over, but this had more to do with making sure she didn’t screw it up and have to hear Mia more than anything else.
“Nothing important, but hey, I do have some good news.” She smiled up at me as she flipped through the pages of her cookbook. “Jax knows someone who is good friends with a gallery owner, and turns out, she is looking for an assistant. All I have to do is send her my resume as a formality, but the job is mine if I want it.”
She stopped and looked up at me. “Ella, that is amazing! I am so proud of you. Wait until I tell Connor; he is always bragging about you to all of our friends.”
I couldn’t help but blush. Some parents didn’t think art was career-worthy, but he and my mom always pushed me to follow my dreams.
“I will talk to you later, Mom. Let me know if you need any help.” I got up and kissed her before I put my empty pie dish in the sink. For the first time since I arrived home, I was excited about my future in Malibu.
After adding a few details about my study abroad program to my resume, I opened up my e-mail browser and, along with a cover letter, sent it to Beth. Now I had to wait. I was just about to close out of my e-mail when I noticed an unread e-mail. Preston. Taking a deep breath, I contemplated deleting it, but we’re all adults, and the curiosity was killing me.
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Sent: Wed 08/21/19 10:35 am
Subject: Hey
Ella,
I don’t know where to even begin, but sorry is probably a good start.
Ya think? I thought before I continued reading.
I never meant to hurt you, and I could tell by the look on your face at the engagement party, I did. Please know that was the last thing I ever wanted. I care about you, Ella, more than you know. How was Europe? I am sorry I stopped talking to you... I just. I don’t even have an excuse. Maybe we could meet up and talk?
There wasn’t much left to say. I’d be cordial when he was around, but that was the best he would get from me.
8
Ella
At 11:55, the door chimed as I walked into ArtScape, dressed in my best femme-suit and a pair of nude heels. Moments later, the redhead from the night a Shorty’s walked out of what I assumed to be her office.
“Ella, thank you so much for coming in. I have heard so much about you.” She held out her hand for me to shake. “Why don’t we start with a tour of the place?”
“That would be great. I can’t wait to see it.” I glanced around at the reception area of the gallery and noticed a few pieces from some local artists I was familiar with hanging on the walls. When she had e-mailed me back, I researched ArtScape. It had only been open for a few months, so there wasn’t much about it that I could find. I followed Beth through a narrow hallway leading to a large, octagon-shaped room with a glass ceiling that let in a ton of natural light.
The center of the room had long leather benches strategically placed in a circle around a glass table while the walls were lined with huge paintings. Four hallways led to other rooms. The setup was spectacular. The center was the heart of the gallery, and each wing was themed with similar artists.
Within minutes, I felt at home. Beth explained all of the artists in her gallery were local to California. She had originally thought about having artists from other areas of the US and even from abroad, but she wanted to showcase the talent right here in California before branching out.
After spending several hours touring from room to room, discussing her vision, and what she expected of her assistant, it was clear to us both, I’d be a perfect fit.
“Ella, I cannot wait for you to start. I will e-mail you your contract. Review it, and if you are okay with the terms, sign it, and I will see you next Monday.”
Beaming, I shook her hand. “I can't wait. Thank you so much, Beth.”
I left the gallery on cloud nine and made my way to the parking lot where the car I borrowed from my mom was. After getting into the car, I pulled my phone out to send a quick text to Jax.
Ella: I start Monday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Less than a minute later, my phone dinged.
Jax: That’s awesome, Elle-Belle. Celebratory drinks soon, on me.
Ella: Yes! I am going to invite Lu too.
Jax: Sounds good. See you tonight at dinner.
I had forgotten all about dinner with the Channings. My mood instantly soured. I wanted to celebrate my new job, but I had to go home and sit through an excruciatingly painful dinner for my half-sister. Thank god Jax would be there to distract me.
As I pulled into the driveway of my parents' house, the ding of my phone had me digging through my oversized bag. A notification from FaceGram. Opening the app, my heart beat faster when I saw who I had a message from.
Ashton Wright: Congratulations, Ella. I hear you're going to be Beth’s new assistant.
Word traveled fast.
Gabriella Costa: Thank you, Ash. I believe I owe you a thanks as well. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have the opportunity.
Three dots indicated he was typing back. Despite the late August heat, I sat in the car waiting to see what Ashton said next.
Ashton Wright: Nonsense. If Beth didn’t think you were a good fit, she wouldn’t have hired you. I just helped get you to the door. You did the rest yourself... Gabriella. I like it.
Gabriella Costa: Regardless, thank you. I owe you. Not many people call me Gabriella. Wright? I thought you were a Channing. I’m glad you aren't...
My attempt at flirting was terrible.
Ashton Wright: Definitely not a Channing. See you soon, Gabriella.
I sat, staring at my phone. I wasn’t sure if it was just the weather that had me so hot, but damn, Ashton Wright definitely had an effect on me.
“Ugh! I wanted peach roses, Daddy, not pink!” Mia stomped her foot like a child as she scowled at Connor, who seemed defeated as he p
laced a large bouquet on the table.
I exchanged knowing looks with my mother, gave a little eye roll, and continued to plate the hors d'oeuvres my mother had spent most of the day preparing.
“Must I do everything myself?” Mia continued. “If I were at Mom’s, doing this dinner...” she started to say, and I immediately tuned her out. Anytime something she didn’t like happened, she would toss that dig in.
I felt sorry for Connor; he tried so hard with Mia, and she didn’t appreciate anything he did for her.
“What are you looking at, Ella?” she said to me.
“Nothing, Mia. I was just thinking, peach or pink, the roses are beautiful.”
She rolled her eyes at me and walked out of the room.
“Thanks, Ella,” Connor said, squeezing my arm as he grabbed a plate of food.
I had finished setting the last appetizer on the table on the terrace when the doorbell rang, and I heard Mia cooing at Preston. Knowing I was going to need it, I walked over to the bar and made myself a vodka tonic. I just had to make sure I kept them to a minimum; I didn’t need a repeat.
Taking a seat as far away from where everyone would gather, I fiddled with my phone, checking FaceGram, the weather—anything to keep me from having to engage with anyone.
“Is this seat taken?” the silky-smooth voice asked, pulling me out of my pity party.
I looked up to see Ashton standing over me, a smirk on his beautiful face. I moved over, and he took the seat next to me, immediately stretching out and putting his arm behind me. “Now, why are you sitting all the way over here?”
“I didn’t know you would be here.” Nervously, I pushed a lock of hair that had fallen in front of my face behind my ear and angled my body toward him.
He leaned in closer to whisper, “Well, when I heard about a beautiful woman in attendance tonight, I couldn’t stay away.”
Was he really talking about me? I studied his face for any indication he was messing with me, but all I saw in his eyes was desire. His magnetic eyes traveled down my face, stopping at my lips. I never knew just one look could make me feel so vulnerable. I felt like he was stripping me with his eyes. Could a man like him really want me? A warm feeling came over my entire body—a feeling I've never felt before.
Smiling, he took the drink from my hand before taking a sip of it and placing it on the table, never breaking eye contact. I don’t know why, but him drinking my drink felt very intimate.
“Ashton?” another voice interrupted us, causing a pit to form in my stomach.
I reluctantly turned my head to find Preston standing a few feet from us, a dark scowl on his face.
“Ah, little cousin. Fancy seeing you here,” Ashton said, and Preston's face reddened.
“I didn’t expect you.” Preston was really asking why he was here.
“Wouldn’t miss it. Plus, Jax told me all about the big family dinner. I didn’t want to miss a chance to hang out with my good friend Gabriella.”
I flushed. I wasn’t used to this type of attention, especially from men. I felt the push and pull within me for both men. The feelings that stirred up inside me when Ashton talked had my insides twisting, and the frown on Preston’s face made me feel on top of the world. This could have been you l, I thought.
Preston's eyes burrowed into me. “Good friend— I see...” he said through gritted teeth as he looked between the two of us, and I was sure he was going to say more, but Mia walked up.
“Preston, baby, what are you doing all the way over here?” She spoke in a baby voice that pierced my ears as she cuddled up into his arm.
“Just saying hello to Ash. That’s all.”
Dick, I thought, never letting my face falter.
“Hello, Princess Mia.” Ashton pretended to give her a little bow. It took everything in me to stifle a laugh.
“Oh, Ash, you’re always teasing me.” She batted her eyes at him, and I wanted badly to make a gagging noise but held back. She was trying to get a reaction out of me.
“You got me there,” Ashton said sarcastically before he wrapped a finger around a lock of my hair.
Goosebumps covered my body.
“What’s up, peeps?” Jaxson walked up, taking the spot between where Ashton and I sat.
Preston stood, breaking the tension that was mounting by the second. While Preston and Ash continued their stare down, Mia talked on.
“I was just coming to get Preston. We have so much to discuss with Dad and the Channings about Italy.” She didn’t include my mother – bitch.
Preston still had his eyes locked on Ash while he casually played with my hair, as if he had done it a million times. I wasn’t sure what to do. Mia waited for Preston. Preston looked like he wanted to murder Ash, and Jax was looking between all of us.
“I am going to grab another drink.” I jumped up. “Does anybody need anything?”
“I will join you, Gabriella,” Ashton said before standing up and gesturing for me to walk in front of him.
“Okay,” I said, diverting my eyes from the rest of the group and heading to the opposite side of the room.
“Another vodka?” Ashton asked when we approached the bar; without missing a beat, he went behind it and grabbed two glasses.
“Ugh... Sure," I said
“What?” he asked, tilting his head as he mixed my drink.
“That was weird...”
“Well, Preston and I aren’t exactly close cousins.”
I bit my lip. That's something we had in common: he wasn’t close with Preston, and I wasn’t close with Mia.
“Honestly. I think he is a huge prick. If he removed the stick up his ass, he might smile more.” He winked, and I laughed at his honesty and the image he created in my mind.
“Then why are you here if you don’t have to or want to be?”
“Who said I didn’t want to be?” He slid my drink to me. I didn’t know how to respond, so I grabbed my drink and took a sip.
“Starting trouble, I see?” Jax laughed as he approached us at the bar.
“Never.” Ashton held a smug smirk on his face.
“I’m watching you, Ash,” Jax said before winking at me. I felt like I was missing something.
The three of us made small talk. Before we knew it, we were called into the dining room for dinner.
I took the open seat farthest from Mia and Preston and was surprised when Ashton sat on one side of me and Jaxson on the other. Having both men next to me, instantly relaxed me. I loved being around my brother, and with each conversation, I was beginning to enjoy the time I spent with Ashton more and more. I almost forgot where I was and why I was here.
Jaxson leaned in on one side and Ashton the other.
“Ash, why does Preston look like he wants to kick your ass?” he whispered.
I turned to face the direction of Preston, and sure enough, he was watching me—well, us. I quickly diverted my eyes.
“He doesn’t like me talking to Gabriella.” Ash put his arm around the back of my chair. For the second time tonight, I instantly flushed at the words he spoke.
Jax looked at me, giving me a knowing look. I shrugged my shoulders. Since he knew what happened, I was sure he wasn’t all too pleased to see Preston having an issue with me and another man.
Changing the conversation, my brother told me about an all-girl grunge band they would be checking sometime next month in LA and invited me to tag along.
“Oh, wow. That sounds awesome, but...”
“Come on, Elle-Belle. Have some fun with us.” He nudged me.
“Yeah. You should totally come, Gabriella; it will be fun. Bring your friend—what's her name again?”
“Lucy,” both Jaxson and I said in unison.
“Sure. She would be down to go...” I looked away, wondering why he wanted me to bring Lucy. Maybe he was into her? Sure, she was gorgeous and funny and they would be totally cute together, but the thought of Ashton and Lucy bothered me.
Connor stood and made another toast
to the happy couple, and it irritated me. We got it, they were getting married, they were in love – it didn’t need to be shoved down our throats constantly.
“I am running to the bathroom,” Jaxson said before he popped up and walked out of the room, leaving Ashton and me.
“You’re too pretty to frown, Gabriella,” he whispered to me.
I rolled my eyes. Laying it on thick. If it were anyone else, it would have annoyed me, but I couldn’t deny I relished his attention.
“Who said I was frowning?”
He lifted a finger, placed it between my eyes, and rubbed. “The little lines right here,” he teased, and tingles shot through my body. I was enjoying his touch a little too much.
“I do not have lines!” I pulled away and covered my forehead, making him laugh.
“Seriously, I am sorry you have to sit through this...” He motioned his head in the direction of Mia and Preston. They were both leaned in close, talking to each other— looking perfect together.
“Oh, it’s okay. I am over it.” I shrugged. It wasn’t a complete lie. I was more hurt he kept his relationship with Mia a secret. If he cared about her, why hide it?
“Good. He would be a terrible boyfriend,” Ashton said, causing a smile to cross my lips.
“And you know firsthand?” I ask.
“He cares too much about himself. He is too big of a pretty boy to know what a woman like you needs.”
“And what is it I need?” I asked, curious as to what he meant.
He leaned in closer. “To be worshipped, to be savored. If you let me, I’d take my time exploring every part of your body. I’d start right here.” He skimmed a finger across my cheek, and I couldn’t help but swallow hard. He continued to move his finger down my throat; the room temperature surely increased several degrees., “Until you were putty in my hands. I’d show you things...” he whispered, and I was sure I was going to combust.
Tingles shot up my spine. The thought of Ash worshipping me filled my head...