Because You're Mine (The Gallaghers)

by Layla Hagen

  "Well, no, technically, I invented it. You just used it."

  "And Dylan ignored it. Until now."

  "He says you're in a pissy mood. That's not like you. And I'm going to go out on a limb and guess it's not work related, or Dylan would know the reason. So, spill it. I can't help if I don't know what's going on."

  I told her about the crazy conversation at the restaurant. Isabelle was quiet for a few seconds.

  "Okay, that's very weird," she said. "Honestly, it doesn't sound like Ellie. I mean, she’s helping me with the menu for the party. I don't think that she plans to move and cut all ties with you. She wouldn’t offer to help me if that’s what she had in mind."

  “I think I overreacted to the email.”

  “That’s... possible.” My sister was using a gentle tone that she only employed when she tiptoed around me. "I promise I'll find out what’s going on, okay?"

  "No, I have to talk to her and figure it out myself."

  "I can try anyway. That's what I'm here for. Not just to nag and irritate you. Also to help."

  "And I appreciate it."

  "You do? Because you always give me so much shit."

  "I'm about to give you shit now if you keep teasing me. I want to talk to Ellie myself."

  “Okay. But I’m here if you need me.”

  "Thanks, Isabelle."

  After hanging up, I drummed my fingers against the table, deciding to wait until tomorrow to call Ellie. I still hadn’t calmed down, and I knew I needed to have my shit together before we talked.

  I stayed at the office until past midnight, still feeling uneasy when I went to bed. The next morning, I overslept and woke up at ten. Fuck. Ellie had already started work, and lately she was so busy that she put her phone on airplane mode during her shift. I called her once, but it went straight to voicemail.

  There was nothing else to do but go to the office. I’d had a productive coding session in the evening, and I wanted to check for bugs before the clients started calling.

  I’d slept like shit, tossing and turning, trying to figure out what had Ellie upset. The more I thought about our conversation last night, I remembered that she was nervous before the issue with the email came up. Something was bothering my woman, and I needed to know what it was.

  At eleven o’clock, my phone buzzed. I broke off the coding session, sure it had to be Ellie. It was Isabelle.

  Isabelle: Meet me in the city in the afternoon? I have something to do on Fifth at four.

  Ian: Sure.

  I frowned. This seemed out of the blue.

  Ian: Why? Did you speak to Ellie?

  Isabelle: No, just thought you might need company. Specifically, MY company. And we could talk things out. You know I’m good at that.

  Ian: You’re right. Sure, it’s a date. Thanks, Isabelle.

  At four o’clock, I met Isabelle at the address she texted me. She was waiting for me in front of a building with some sort of business at the ground level. The coat she was wearing was so huge that it swallowed her whole. The only things you could see were the baby bump and the red hair spilling around her.

  “You look terrible,” she exclaimed.

  “Thanks.” I kissed my sister's temple, because I knew she meant well.

  "You really love her, huh? You wouldn't be all out of sorts like this if you didn't."

  "Yes, I fucking do. I just need to get to the bottom of what’s bugging her. She was acting weird even before we started talking about the email,” I responded, aggravation evident in my tone. I glanced around us before asking, “What were you doing here?”

  “Gina’s moved her office here.” She pointed with her thumb behind her. Gina was her wedding planner.

  “Business must be going well if she’s moved on Fifth.” Rents here were extravagant. The last time I went with Isabelle to a meeting, the office was on the Upper West Side.

  “You’re not giving me shit for bringing you to another wedding planning event? In my defense, I just thought you might need a distraction.”

  “I do. And anyway, this is a party now, right? Not a wedding anymore.”

  Isabelle grinned. “Potatoes, potahtoes.”

  “Why are you doing the party again? Especially since it’s a month later than the original wedding date.”

  “Because the venue wasn’t happy we postponed the wedding, and I still want to do it there next year, and I want to have a good relationship with them. Besides, you know I like parties.”

  “This is actually an improvement. I thought you were making me suffer through a shopping spree.”

  “Awww, I wouldn’t do that to you. I know you hate it.”

  We stepped inside the building, and Gina welcomed us in a small area with leather couches.

  "Hey, it's great of you to stop by. Everything is coming together," she said as we sat down.

  "Even my vegan menu?" Isabelle replied.

  "Yes. I got the green light from our chef that she managed the recipe Ellie proposed." As we sat down, she took out a piece of paper. "I couldn't find Ellie on the guest list. I double-checked. She thought she was at your table for some reason." She glanced at me, smirking. "I told her that you don’t have a plus one and that you even told me to keep others from matchmaking by adding 'accidental' plus ones." She made air quotes around the word accidental.

  "Fuck!" I exclaimed. Isabelle turned to look at me. Gina's eyes widened. The wheels started spinning in my mind. I knew exactly what was going on with Ellie and exactly what I needed to do—and fast.

  My sister smiled at the planner. "Gina, would you give us a minute, please? We need to talk about something."

  "Sure. I'll go to the foyer and grab a coffee. Do you want one too?”

  “No,” Isabelle replied. I just shook my head.

  “Okay. Just let me know when I should come back."

  "Thank you," Isabelle said.

  As soon as Gina left, my sister turned to me.

  “I told Gina this months ago," I said. I was certain this was what’s been bugging my girl.

  "You actually told Gina all those things?"

  "Which part? That I didn't have a plus one, or that I told you not to pair me with anyone accidentally?"

  "Yes. Was any of that wrong?"

  "No. It’s just not up-to-date anymore." I groaned.

  "Ellie doesn’t know that. I never officially invited her. I just assumed you’d do it. And I totally forgot to tell Gina too. Maybe that’s why she’s on edge.”

  "Yep." I had no doubt now, and I needed to fix that ASAP.

  "So, you agree with me?"

  "Uh-huh." This was why she was so nervous last evening.

  "Please tell me your plan to fix this consists of more than one-word answers."

  "Yes," I said, just to tease my sister. But my mind was spinning ahead about what to do next.

  "Why didn't you invite her?" she asked, rising to her feet, pacing the room, stroking her belly.

  "Honestly, I forgot. I never think about this stuff, okay? It's not even on my radar."

  Isabelle's shoulders dropped. “She probably thought we don't want her there.”

  “Why would she think that? We’ve grown close.” Close enough that apparently I lost my cool when she got a job offer in New Orleans. “But I’m still pissed about her wanting to keep her options open. I mean, I am all for her doing what it takes for her career. I told her that—that she should do what’s best, and we’ll figure it out.”

  My sister winced, running her hand through her hair. “Ian, you’re sending mixed messages. First you tell her that she should do what is best for her, and then you get all up in arms about the email.”

  She sat next to me, narrowing her eyes. She had her counselor face on. “Some might interpret you telling her to do what is best for her as you not wanting to make a commitment.”

  “What the hell?” Why would Ellie think that?

  She held her palms up in defense. “I’m not saying Ellie did. Some people could see it as a good
thing. I see it as a good thing, as in... you want to figure out how to work things out. But you’re usually so... you know. Decisive when you want something, and there’s no gray area. You either do something, or you don’t. Your overreaction at her getting an email with a job offer is actually more like you than telling her to do what is best for her.”

  “I was trying not to be a self-centered bastard and tell her I want her here at all costs. How is this backfiring? Before she got the job, I was very close to asking Rob if he could hire Ellie.”

  To my astonishment, she grinned.

  “Baby brother, welcome to the murky waters that are relationships. Hard as hell to navigate, but trust me, they are worth it. The human brain is wired to jump to hasty conclusions when we’re stressed.”

  I still was struggling with Isabelle’s train of thought. Maybe because I was a guy, and we didn’t overthink things. I pressed my palms over my eyes, shaking my head. “Do you have a scientific answer to everything?”

  “Not everything, but lots of things. So, what are you going to do?"

  "I'll show her that she belongs with me."

  “Excellent. That’s exactly what I was hoping to hear. Oh, and the baby agrees. It’s kicking me.”

  I didn’t want to lose Ellie. No way, no how. And if that meant me moving to New Orleans to be with her, then so be it. I’d never realized that until that moment, and I had to tell her.

  But first, I needed to know that she was absolutely sure of us—the same way I was.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Ian

  After I left Gina’s, I headed back to the office. All I could think about was Ellie.

  “This was one of the most productive project implementations in the history of my company,” Brian said. Dylan and I were with one of our biggest clients in the meeting room. My mind wasn't in the game, but it didn't need to be. It was just about wrapping up a project and schmoozing. Even though it wasn't my brother's favorite activity, he instinctively seemed to realize that I wasn't in the right frame of mind for it, so he took the reins.

  "We're very happy that the project rolled out the way you wanted it," Dylan said. "If there's anything else we can do, we'll be happy to collaborate on another project."

  "I do have something else in mind," Brian said. "And I would like to do it with Gallagher Solutions."

  "Do you have a brief?" Dylan asked.

  "Not yet, but I'll send it to you as soon as I do. Well, gentlemen, I think this is all. Thank you for taking your time to go through this wrap-up with me." We all stood up and shook hands.

  After he left, Dylan sat back in his leather chair in the meeting room, looking at me. "You're totally off your game."

  "My mind is somewhere else. Thanks for noticing and stepping up."

  "Does this have anything to do with your meeting with Isabelle?" Dylan asked. I nodded, pacing the meeting room. I brought him up to date. I was curious about what he’d have to say.

  Dylan didn't miss a beat. As soon as I was done, he straightened in his chair. "Okay, now we have all the facts. I think you need some sort of big gesture."

  I cocked a brow. "Some sort? And Isabelle thinks you're romantic."

  Dylan ignored me. "Would you rather I suggest a meddling brother getting in between?"

  "We can skip that part. And I did it by accident anyway."

  Dylan laughed. "You accidentally answered my phone?"

  Back when he and Mel had a falling out, I'd butted in a bit too much. "Okay, no, but you were down. I thought a prank would cheer you up. I'm great at that. Can we get back on track now?"

  Dylan relaxed in his chair, keeping his eyes fixed on me and drumming his fingers on the desk. "Be decisive in what you say. Don't leave any room for interpretation. That can backfire quickly. And for the love of God, whatever you do, act now. If you’re planning to waste your evening at the office again, I’ll personally kick you out."

  “I’d like to see you try. But don’t worry. I have other things to do.”

  I'd been working on a plan ever since I was out with Isabelle earlier. It solidified in my brain during the meeting with Brian. Once in a while, Ellie went to that spa she loved on the Upper West Side. I knew exactly what to do. She had an appointment there, but she was in for a surprise.

  Two hours later, I was sitting behind the mahogany reception desk, looking straight at the entrance, waiting for Ellie to step inside. It had taken a considerable amount of persuasion to get the staff to cancel all other appointments tonight and leave early, but I could be very persuasive. And I compensated them generously.

  I stood completely still when the front door opened and Ellie stepped inside. For a few seconds, she didn't seem to realize that something was different, but then her eyes widened as she looked around the room. There were dozens of flowers everywhere. Her eyes got even bigger when she saw me, and I couldn't resist. I walked around the reception and straight to her. She lit up when I approached. Up close, I could see that she was paler than usual. She lacked that inner joy I loved so much about her. Fuck, no. I was going to bring it all back.

  “Ian,” she whispered. “How... what is happening?”

  "I wanted to see you. I wanted to surprise you.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “So, you hijacked my appointment?”

  “Exactly.”

  She looked confused.

  “Listen, Isabelle and I met with the event planner today. She told me about your conversation with her."

  Her shoulders dropped. "Yeah, and you don't owe me an explanation."

  "Yes, I fucking do. Listen to me. I told her that months ago, Ellie, before I met you. Of course I want you at all events right next to me."

  She looked up at me with a hint of a smile. “You're serious?"

  "Yes, of course I am."

  "So you just never thought to update her?"

  I groaned. "Isabelle asked about this too. Look, this stuff is not really on my radar, okay? That's not something I actively think of. " I cupped her face with both hands, looking into her beautiful blue eyes. "I need to know what you want, Ellie," I said. “Do you want a future with me?” If she said no, I really didn't know what I would do.

  “Yes, yes I do. Of course I do.”

  Relief swept through me. "Do you want to take the job in New Orleans and move there permanently? I’ll move with you."

  "Oh, Ian. I can’t believe you’d do that. But I don’t want the job. It's just that, when my boss asked, I didn't want to say no. And anyway, after the call with the planner, I felt a bit lost, honestly. I should have brought it up before, but I'm just not good with conflict. I tried, but I didn't know how to do it without sounding insecure and weird, like now."

  She was blushing, and the color was returning to her skin. "Ellie, I know you. I know how you are. You'd rather keep things to yourself, I get that. Just like when you were being bullied at school, you never told your mom, afraid she’d worry. You never talked with her about how hard it was for you to hear about her issues with your dad, but you did listen even though it hurt because you wanted to be there for her. You're strong that way—for yourself and others—and you keep everything inside, but you don't have to do that with me. I want to be there for you through everything. I love you.”

  Her eyes were a bit watery. “Now what?”

  “I've been told by my brother to lay my cards on the table." I slid one hand to the back of her head, burrowing my fingers in her thick hair. "I love you, and I want you in my life. When you told me about the job offer here, I wanted nothing more than to tell you to take it and stay with me."

  She grinned. "That was kind of what I hoped you would do. Why didn't you?"

  "Because I didn't want to be selfish. And then I saw that email, and all I could think about was that I want you here. With me. I know I overreacted. And that I am selfish." I stroked her lips with two fingers, bringing my other hand to her waist.

  "That's not selfish, it's possessive, and I like that about you. You’re always dec
isive when you want something, Ian."

  ***

  Ellie

  Ian was looking at me with so much warmth that I felt like I was about to burst. "Well, here is me being balls to the wall. I want you, Ellie. In any way I can have you. You mean so damn much to me."

  "And you to me," I whispered. He wanted me here. I was over the moon. I couldn't see anything except him, my gorgeous man who wanted me so much. "I love the flowers," I said, glancing around the spa.

  "I'm glad you do. I came here determined to first ask you what you wanted before going balls to the wall, and I thought the flowers might sway the odds in my favor."

  My face widened in a grin. "Was that Isabelle's idea?"

  "No, it was all on my own. And speaking of siblings, I'm surprised Henry isn't here, trying to throw me out a window."

  "Oh, I saved you from that. I asked him not to call you, and he listened."

  "My, my, someone has softened."

  I skimmed my hands down his torso, pressing myself closer. I loved feeling the heat of his body, his muscles beneath my fingers. His delicious smell was home for me, pines and forests and leather. Ian was my home, and I never wanted anything else. I wanted to make this man happy for the rest of my life, just as happy as he was making me.

  “I can’t believe you did all of this.”

  "It's just you, Ellie. I'm a different person since I met you."

  "So am I," I whispered. "You know, I never believed I could feel about anyone the way I feel about you."

  "Tell me more. I like where this is going."

  “Before, I never wanted to settle down anywhere. I never felt the need to, but you changed that.” Lacing my arms around his neck, I jumped in his arms. He caught me, laughing, and walked with me back toward the reception area. He hoisted me up onto the counter.

  "I'm not in the mood for a massage anymore. I want to be alone with you."

  "We are alone," he said, wiggling his eyebrows.

  "What?”

  “You see anyone around here?”

  “No, but I thought maybe you'd just cleared out the reception area."

  He tilted his head. "Are you kidding? I didn't want to risk anyone ruining our big moment."

  “How did you manage to send everyone away?”