The Wright Choice

by Kristy Gibs

  “Yes! Because I am none of those things!” She got up and started pacing.

  “I barely graduated high school, I don’t have a job, and I didn’t finish college.”

  “And I’m to blame for that?” She was using me as an excuse.

  “It just wasn’t fair!”

  “I am sorry if our parents ever made you feel less because of me, but that is something you need to take up with them. Not me. I have never done anything to intentionally hurt you, the way you have me for all these years.”

  She stopped pacing and turned to me.

  “Do you love Preston?” I asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Does he know that?”

  “He won’t listen to me.” She sat back down and began to cry again.

  “Maybe he just needs time. You hurt him, but if you are being truthful and are marrying him because you love him and want to be with him, then you need to fight.” I paused. “But, if this whole thing is somehow to get back at me, you need to come clean right now and stop this. What you did was wrong, but I hope something good can come of it at the end.” I stood up. “I would love for us to try and be real sisters, Mia, but for us to do that, you need to let go of whatever resentment you have toward me. We are two different people, so comparing us is just dumb.” I turned and started to walk away.

  “Ella?” she called, and I looked back. “I’m sorry. I really fucked things up, didn’t I?”

  I was stunned. I don’t think I have ever heard her apologize. “You can still fix it, Mia... all of it.” I wasn’t just talking about her relationship with Preston. If she really wanted to, she could fix our relationship too.

  My next stop was Preston. He and I had some things to discuss too. I didn’t want to go into his room alone. I figured if anyone saw, the rumors would be flying. Word probably got around that I am part of this whole shit show; I didn’t need to be in any deeper, so I had the front desk call his room and ask him to meet me in the restaurant we had breakfast in. Since breakfast was over, and lunch wouldn’t be for a few hours, there shouldn’t be many people around.

  He walked in and took the seat across from me. He looked exhausted; he had dark bags under his eyes, making him look like he hadn’t sleep in days. “So, you and Ash?”

  I couldn’t help but roll my eyes. “Yes, Preston, but that isn’t exactly why I came to talk to you, but let’s just get that cleared up. Why? Why would you go out of your way to hurt Ash and me? What did I ever do to you?”

  His eyes skirted from side to side.

  “Surprised I know what happened?”

  He only nodded.

  “I thought about telling Mia. Telling her what a horrible person you were, but what would that have done? I will never understand. I thought we were friends, but after keeping your relationship with Mia from me, and then this? I am beginning to think maybe we weren’t such good friends after all.”

  “I…” he sighed. “I am sorry. For everything. I should have told you about Mia and me, and it has been brought to my attention. I should have confronted Ashton and my dad; I shouldn’t have brought you into the equation.” For someone who is so smart, the fact he needed someone else to tell him made me wonder just how clouded his head was.

  “The e-mails were just to plant the seed in my head that he was terrible?”

  He scratched his head. “No to me, he was evil and undeserving of you.”

  I held up my hand. “I think we need to just get to what I came to talk to you about. Do you love her?”

  He stared off.

  “Do you love Mia?” I asked again.

  He slouched in his chair. “I thought I did. After last night, I don’t even know who she is anymore. Why would she do the things she did?”

  “For the same reason you did what you did to Ash and me. Jealousy, revenge, I could go on. Mia and I have never been close. She wanted to hurt me, not you. I don’t know what her initial intentions were, but I can tell you she loves you, Preston.”

  “The only reason she approached me was because we were...” he hesitated.

  “Friends, we were always just friends.” I never thought I would be able to say those words without getting upset, but now I know what being in love really means. We would have never worked out.

  “I shouldn’t have said those things I said about Ash,” he said. “So, what should I do about Mia? You used to give me advice...”

  “Last time I tried to give you advice, it didn’t work out so well,” I teased.

  “No, I guess I didn’t.”

  “But if you are going to now, I think you need to talk to Mia. Go for a drive; we are in the most beautiful country. Talk, get everything out in the open, and decide from there what you both want. If you want to be married, get married. If you don’t, well, that is for you guys to decide.” I stood up.

  “Hey, Ella.”

  I stopped and turned.

  “Thank you. I know it doesn’t matter now, but I really did consider you a good friend. You were one of the only people I was ever able to be real with.”

  I gave him a small smile and walked away. I returned to our room, and Ash was pacing on the balcony, a drink in hand.

  “Hey there, handsome.”

  “How’d it go?” he asked.

  “To be honest, I’m not sure. Mia finally told me why she hates me. She feels like I stole her dad and brother. We didn’t exactly clear the air, but it was eye-opening. But she loves Preston. I can tell just by looking at her...”

  “And you saw Preston?” He crossed his arms. As soon as there was a chance Mia and Preston would end things, did he think I would want Preston?

  I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around his neck. “I told him to go work it out with Mia. Figure their shit out, get married or don’t, but to talk. I also may have told him I knew about what he did.”

  He smiled and kissed me before he picked me up and flung me over his shoulder; I couldn’t help but let out a little yelp when he smacked me on the butt. Tossing me on the bed, he crawled over my body.

  “I love you, Gabriella Costa”

  “I love you, Ashton Wright.”

  Later that night, we were called to meet down at the restaurant. We weren’t given any details, but we knew it had something to do with Preston and Mia and whether or not there was going to be a wedding.

  We walked into the large room hand in hand. Mia and Preston, along with both their parents, sat at one of the round tables, all with blank expressions on their faces. Ash squeezed my hand as we approached.

  “Hey, what's going on?” Ash said to the table. Mia and Preston gave each other a look.

  “Do you mind joining us?” Preston asked, pointing to two empty seats.

  Nodding, Ash and I sat down.

  “We are just waiting for Jax,” Mia said. I was surprised; there was no hint of annoyance or sarcasm in her voice.

  “How was visiting your family yesterday?” Mia asked, and I almost fell out of my chair.

  “Oh, um, it was really nice. I wish we could have spent more time with my Zia.”

  She nodded. “Maybe you will be able to; we still have four days.”

  “What's going on, family...” Jax shouted, but his goofy smile fell when he saw how somber everyone was. “Oh... okay. This doesn’t look good.” He took the open seat next to Ash.

  “Thank you all for coming. We want to tell you all something,” Preston started.

  This was it, I thought. They were calling off the wedding. He looked over to Mia, who looked like she was going to puke and nodded his head.

  “I lied to everyone, and I need to apologize.” She looked from her parents to Preston’s. “When Preston and I started dating, it was only after I found out he and Ella were friends.”

  My mom's eyes widened. “I ran into Preston at a party..” the entire time she spoke, Connor shook his head in shame. He didn’t raise any of us to act the way she had. “when I found out there might be something between her and Preston, I saw an opportun
ity to get something she had.”

  Preston's mother gasped.

  “I am not proud of what I did, but you have to believe me: I love Preston and want nothing more than to be his wife. What might have begun as me trying to get back at Ella turned into so much more,” as her tears fell, Preston wrapped his arm around her and kissed the side of her head.

  “Ella and I were friends; we ran into each other at school weeks before she was leaving for her study abroad program. I actually had tickets to go and visit her during spring break but never ended up going because I was with Mia. I should have been honest with Ella and told her about my relationship, but I didn’t. I told her I met someone and didn’t speak to her again until the day of the engagement party.”

  “Preston...” his father said, but Preston held up his hand.

  “That isn’t even the worst of it.” Preston turned his attention toward his dad. “When I saw Ash and Ella were becoming serious, I paid someone to sabotage the relationship because I thought you and Ashton were going to be partners and I would be cut out of Channing Law. I was an asshole. Not just to Ella, but to Ashton too.” He looked at the two of us. “I am so sorry.”

  Mia grabbed his hand that was on the table.

  “Preston, how could you do something like that?” his mother said, and his father patted her on the shoulder.

  “Son, I think you and I need to have a chat – privately.”

  Preston nodded before bowing his head.

  “And I was a bitch. You didn’t deserve to be treated the way I have treated you these last ten years. I am sorry, Ella. I would like us to start over, if you forgive me.”

  My eyes began to water. “Wow, I don’t even know what to say right now.” I laughed nervously. “Mia, I am sorry you felt I was trying to replace you because I wasn’t. Did I like having a father and brother? Yes, but I was also excited to have a sister. I hate it took ten years for us to talk about it, but I would like to move on too.”

  I turned my attention to Preston. “Preston, what you did was really shitty.” I cleared my throat. “I thought you and I were friends, maybe more, and then you tried to sabotage Ash and me.”

  Ash squeezed my hand.

  “But,” I turned to Ash, “I met someone and learned what true love was.”

  Ash turned his head toward me and smiled.

  “I forgive you both, and I hope you can forgive each other too.” I looked around the table at my mom, who had tears running down her face. Connor had his arm around her. Preston’s parents just seemed to be confused.

  “Ash,” Preston said. “I am sorry for trying to get Ella to stay away from you. You and I have had our own issues too, but mostly, they are my issues that I have taken out on you. I am sorry. “

  “I accept,” Ash said. We all sat silent. It was a bit awkward.

  “So, are you getting married?” Jax asked, breaking the awkward moment.

  “Yes, Mia and I had a very long talk.” He glanced over to Mia. “And thanks to Ella, we were able to work everything out, and we will still be getting married tomorrow.” He looked back at our group. “We just felt that to move forward, we needed to put the past behind us. Once and for all.”

  “So, can we eat?” Jax added, causing everyone to laugh.

  Connor motioned for the waiter, and he handed us all menus. At first, it was awkward, this was the first ‘family’ dinner we all were getting along, but once the wine flowed, we all were laughing and smiling as if we had done this a hundred times before.

  After dessert, we all went our separate ways.

  “Ash, Ella?” Preston called us as we were walking back toward our room.

  We stopped and turned to see him and Mia approach.

  “Um, we were wondering.” Mia looked between us both. “Well, hoping, you both would take part in our wedding tomorrow.”

  “We just owe a lot to you both. You're the closest thing to a brother I will ever have even though I have been a dick the last few years,” Preston added.

  I looked over at Ash, who had the same what-the-fuck expression as I did.

  “Yes, we would love to,” I answered for us both. I didn’t know if Ash would be pissed or not, but they were giving us an olive branch, and since we were family, it was the right thing to do.

  “Great!” Mia squealed, pulling me into a hug. “Tomorrow, 10 a.m. Meet in my room. Ash tomorrow 10 a.m. meet Preston at his parents’ suite.”

  We agreed and went back to our room. Once inside, we grabbed wine and went out onto the balcony.

  “That was...”

  “Fucking weird?” Ash answered.

  “A day ago, we were their arch-nemesis, and now we’re in their wedding. Who would have thought?” I laughed.

  31

  Ella

  The following morning, promptly at ten, I arrived at Mia’s room. When I walked in, my mother walked over to me and hugged me. “Thank you.”

  “For what?” I looked at her.

  “For being so amazing, Ella.” She kissed my cheek before moving back toward where Mia sat in a chair with someone working on her hair and another on her makeup.

  “Ella, you can get your hair and makeup done next,” Mia said. I took a seat on the couch, waiting for my turn. “Your dress is over there in the closet.” I wondered what I would be wearing. I got up and walked into the closet and saw an A-line sweetheart, floor-length, chiffon dress in a deep purple. It was absolutely stunning.

  I was surprised Mia would pick something so beautiful for me to wear, but she seemed to be turning over a new leaf. Undressing down to only the nude-colored thong I had on, I slipped on the dress. It fit like a glove. I wasn’t fat, but I wasn’t rail-thin, so the front knot bodice accentuated my curves. The off the shoulder straps made the dress very romantic. Although this was Mia’s wedding, I felt like a princess. Looking around, I saw a few pairs of heels in varying heights. I chose a modest heel and slipped them on. Another perfect fit. Smiling, I walked out of the closet.

  “Wow, Ella. You look gorgeous!” Mia said.

  I waited a beat for her to make a snarky comment, but it never came. She was smiling at me genuinely.

  “I feel gorgeous,” I confessed.

  “You should. Look over there.” She pointed to the table at the far end of the room. “There is a robe for you to put on while we get ready. And grab a mimosa. I went back into the closet, quickly stripped out of the dress, and carefully hung it back up. Slipping the dark purple silk robe on, I returned to the main room and grabbed my drink before I was ushered to a chair.

  “Hair and nails, followed by makeup,” the woman said before she started brushing out my long hair. I smiled and nodded. I had never done anything like this before. Lucy was the person who always did my hair, and I couldn’t tell you the last time I had a manicure or pedicure. Shelly, the matron of honor, sat in a chair next to me. She was the one ‘mean girl’ I actually didn’t mind.

  “Hey, Ella. I heard you work at a gallery,” Shelly asked.

  “Yeah, ArtScape. It’s pretty new.”

  “That so awesome. Mia told us you are like a crazy good artist. She showed us a painting you made; it’s hung up in her living room.”

  What? I smiled and nodded while I was trying to comprehend. We just had our family reconciliation last night. Maybe, deep down, she didn’t hate me as much as she thought she did.

  I fell into idle conversation with Shelly as we got our hair, makeup, and nails done. Mom was all smiles as she got ready too. Mia was being nice to her for once, and everything felt so, normal. I learned Mia and her mom weren’t speaking right now. When Mia told her mom about the wedding, she declined attending because she had a vacation planned with her new boyfriend. I didn’t know the last year things with her mom had been super strained, and her choosing her boyfriend over Mia made it even worse.

  As I sat watching Mia get her dress on, my phone vibrated.

  Ashton: I can’t believe I am doing this.

  Chuckling to myself, I typed out
my text.

  Me: Wait until you see me.

  Ashton: I can’t wait to see you. I love you.

  Me: I love you. See you soon. xoxo

  It was a little after noon when Connor came in, dressed in a black tux. Mom went over and kissed him, and he teared up when he saw Mia in her dress.

  “My little girl is getting married.” He pulled her into a hug.

  “I am so sorry, Daddy. For everything.” Mia began to sniffle

  “Nonsense. We will have none of that. Water under the bridge for all.” She nodded, and the makeup artists ran over and did a quick check to make sure her makeup was still flawless.

  We spent the next hour getting family pictures. Jax joined us, and the photographer made us take a series of shots. Some with all of us, some with her dad, some with her dad and my mom.

  “Okay. Sibling picture.” The photographer called out. I stood in my spot, smiling as Jax joined her.

  “Ella, come on!” Mia said. “He said, siblings.” I felt my eyes water but smiled and walked over. The photographer placed me on one side and Jax on the other before clicking away and calling out different things for us to do.

  At one, we made our way to the vineyard. Jax walked my mom down the aisle, and we waited in a tent that was set up at the end of the aisle so no one would see us. As the soft music played, I was directed to walk. As I made my way down the row of smiling people, my breath caught when I saw Ash. He was standing next to Preston, his arms clasped in front of him, wearing a dark gray tuxedo, and his hair was done. Normally, he left his long hair shaggy and wild. When our eyes met, all I could think about was I hoped the next trip down the aisle was me as the bride going toward him.

  When I made it to my spot, the music changed, and everyone stood. Beaming, Mia walked down the aisle with Connor toward Preston. I snuck a peek at Preston, who had the biggest grin on his face.

  The wedding ceremony only lasted a few minutes. They both said their own vows, and everyone cheered when they were finally told to kiss. I couldn’t help but tear up. Never in a million years did I think I would be standing beside Mia, not only as her bridesmaid but as she married Preston, the man I once dreamed of marrying myself. It was funny how things worked out. As the precessions walked back down the aisle, I looped my arm through Ash’s as we made our way to the reception.