Trace + Olivia Series Boxed Set (95 page)

I cracked my eyes open, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. We’d stayed at the mansion a few times in Trace’s childhood room, but it still seemed strange to be here, surrounded by high school memorabilia and trinkets of his past.

I sat up, shoving the sheets off of me, and drawing my knees up to my chest.

I was getting married today.

Okay, that wasn’t right. We were already married, but I had no idea what the proper term for this would be.

But I was giddy, knowing that this time our families would be present. I really hoped Gramps would be okay to walk me down the aisle. I hated to think that he might be pushing himself. I knew he was stubborn though, and nothing, not even his cancer, would stop him from walking me down that aisle.

“What are you doing up?” Trace asked groggily, lying on his stomach.

“I’m excited,” I shrugged.

He cracked a smile and eased his eyes open. “It would probably be a bad sign if you weren’t.”

“Yeah,” I laughed, “especially since I already married you,” I trailed a finger down his bare back and he shivered.

“Good point,” he rolled over onto his back, staring at the ceiling with a serious look on his face.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Nothing,” he shook his head. But then explained, “I was thinking about how … before I met you, I never thought about getting married or anything like that. But once I met you,” he rolled to his side and pulled me down beside him, “all of that changed.”

“Why do you think that is?” I asked, staring at his chest so I could avoid his intense gaze.

“Maybe,” he rolled on top of me, staring down at me as I squirmed beneath him, “there are certain people that are meant to be together. If that exists, I know we are,” he cupped my cheek. “We were waiting for each other.”

“Like … soul mates?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know … that sounds a bit too far-fetched, but … maybe.”

“I believe we were meant to be, too,” I told him. “And I’m happy that we didn’t rush into a relationship. We got to know each other as friends first, and that’s made us a stronger couple. Don’t tell Avery,” I grinned, “but you’re my best friend. I know I can tell you anything and you won’t judge me. You’ll listen to what I have to say and give me your honest opinion. A lot of couples don’t have that, but we do. We’re lucky, Trace.”

“I know,” he kissed me, “believe me, I know.”

After we’d all eaten breakfast together, Lily insisted on separating Trace and me. It wasn’t long until Avery, Luca, my mom, and Nick arrived.

“Hi,” I greeted Luca, hugging him.

“Hey.”

“I’m glad to see you two got things worked out,” I whispered in his ear, so Avery wouldn’t overhear, and let him go.

“Me too,” he nodded.

“Trace is in his room,” I pointed at the stairs. “Lily told him he had to stay in there until she told him he could come out.”

Luca chuckled, running his fingers through his wavy light brown hair. “Is he in trouble or something?”

“I think she’s afraid he might try to see me in my dress. But the wedding isn’t until tonight, so I don’t know why she’d be so worried about that,” I shrugged.

“I’ll go hang out with him,” Luca started for the stairs, but turned around and kissed Avery.

My heart melted at the look he gave her. Luca was … weird, but he was a nice guy, and I knew he loved Avery. If she messed up their relationship again I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from kicking her.

“Why are you guys already here?” I addressed Avery, my mom, and Nick.

Nick held his hands up in surrender. “Don’t look at me.”

“We’re here to help you get ready,” Avery rolled her eyes. “Why else would we be here?”

“It’s ten in the morning, the ceremony isn’t until eight-thirty tonight,” I looked at my watch, calculating the hours. “It’s not going to take me that long to get ready.”

“Oh yes, it is,” Avery took my hand, dragging me upstairs.

“How do you know where you’re going?” I asked. As far as I knew, Avery had never been here before … at least not with me. But maybe she’d come with Luca.

“Who do you think has been helping Lily with
everything
? Honestly, Livie, you can be so dumb,” she shook her head.

She opened a set of double doors that led into a guestroom. The bag my wedding dress was in already laid on the bed, along with Avery’s garment bag. There was even a hair and makeup station set up.

“Go shower,” Avery pushed me towards the bathroom, handing me a robe to put on. “The hairdresser will be here within the hour.”

She closed the doors behind me and I was left alone in the massive bathroom. I looked around at the expensive touches, wondering why on earth anyone would spend so much money on a
guest
bathroom. I guess when you had billions of dollars you didn’t think about those things.

When I’d found out about Trace’s family, I’d wondered why he didn’t live so elegantly. An apartment above a garage was hardy the typical billionaire bachelor pad, but that was Trace for you. There was nothing typical about him. The whole family didn’t act any different because they had money and you had to respect them for that. So many people let money go to their heads, but not the Wentworth’s. In fact, they were some of the nicest most caring people I had ever met. I think they understood that money isn’t everything. For them, family was the most important thing.

Once I was clean and my whole body smelled like vanilla, I stepped out of the shower, dried myself off and wrapped myself in the fluffy robe.

When I opened the door, Avery stood there with her fist raised and ready to knock.

“‘Bout time,” she flounced away.

I shook my head and smiled at the woman I assumed was there to do my hair. My mom and Lily lounged on the bed, looking at jewelry.

“I’m Nikki,” the woman held her hand out to me. “I’ll be doing your hair and makeup, as well as theirs,” she motioned to the others in the room. “Do you have anything in particular in mind?”

I sat down in the chair, facing my reflection. I hadn’t given it much thought. “Um …” I stalled. “Could you do something with a braid, but leave some of it down?”

She nodded. “Sure.”

She went to work drying and curling my hair. I kept my eyes closed so I wouldn’t overthink what she was doing and freak out.

She began to twist my hair to the side, braiding it, and left a few pieces to frame my face.

“Open your eyes,” she said a few minutes later.

“Oh, wow,” I gasped, turning my head from side to side. She had done an amazing job and I knew my minimal details had been less than helpful. “It’s beautiful, thank you.”

“I’m glad you like it. Now what about for your makeup?”

“Something soft and romantic,” I answered before Avery could spit something out. She sent a glare my way for ruining her plan. “Nothing dramatic,” I begged.

I closed my eyes once more and let Nikki go to work.

The more time that passed, the giddier I felt. It didn’t seem like we were getting married
again
, it felt like the first time, which made me both excited and nervous.

Nikki finished with me and then started on Avery’s hair and makeup.

I sat on a chair in the corner, nervously tapping my fingers on the arms.

The door to the room cracked open and I gasped. “Grandma!”

After the news of Gramps being in the hospital, and having to plan a wedding in a few days, I’d completely forgotten that Trace said he’d fly them out. I couldn’t believe with everything he’d been dealing with that he’d been the one to remember.

I hugged her tightly. I was so happy to see her and I hoped she knew that. “Everyone, this is Margaret, my grandma. Grandma, this is my best friend Avery,” I pointed at my best friend who was currently getting false lashes glued on. I was glad I hadn’t had to do that. “Lily, Trace’s mom. And lastly, that’s my mom, Nora.”

Margaret surprised me by striding right up to my mom and hugging her. I don’t know what I’d been expecting, but it wasn’t that.

My mom’s eyes widened but she was quick to return the hug. “It’s nice to meet you, Margaret.”

“Call me, Maggie, please.”

I smiled, pleased to see my mom and grandma getting along. I had feared there might be some animosity there, since my mom had kept me a secret from them.

“Your grandpa and Dex are with Trace,” Maggie turned to me. “And Ella is here too. Cecilia, I believe her name was, took her to the kitchen to get something to eat.”

“I can’t wait to meet, Ella.” I thought of the cute little girl in the picture Dex had shown me.

“She’s very excited to meet you,” Maggie smiled. “I need to go find, Trace. I’ll be right back.”

“Why do you—” The door closed behind her and it was too late for me to finish my question. “I wonder what that’s about,” I shrugged.

Deciding not to dwell on it, I sat back down, glancing at the clock. It was close to lunchtime, and there were still hours until the wedding, but suddenly I wished I could make time go faster … even though I was going to have to say my own vows. I still didn’t have any plan for what I would say, but I wasn’t nervous about it anymore. Once I got up there and saw him it would come to me then.

The door opened again and Cecilia entered with a tray of food for everyone and a small girl clinging to her legs.

Wide dark brown eyes met mine and I crouched in front of the girl.

“Hi,” I said softly, “are you, Ella?”

She nodded her head slowly, looking up at Cecilia for reassurance. I held out a hand and she placed her smaller one in my palm. “I’m Olivia. Do you know who I am?”

She nodded again and let go of Cecilia. “Daddy says you’re my cousin,” her voice was quiet. She was the cutest kid I had ever seen. She couldn’t have been much older than five.

“That’s true,” I smiled warmly.

“What does that mean?” She asked.

“It means,” I ran a finger over her soft cheek, “that my daddy and your daddy were brothers.”

“But daddy’s brother isn’t here,” she tilted her head questioningly.

“No, he’s not.” I didn’t elaborate, since I was unsure of how much Ella knew about Derek.

“You’re pretty,” she touched the side of my face with her small hand, then touched a piece of my hair. “I want to look like you when I grow up.”

“Well, thank you,” I laughed. “That’s a very nice compliment.”

“Do you know where my grandma is?” She looked around the room.

“She left for a bit but she’ll be right back,” I explained. “Would you like to wait with me?”

She nodded, clutching my hand tighter.

She looked over at Avery as Nikki pulled her hair into a bun with braids on each side.

“Can she make my hair pretty?” Ella asked me.

I looked to Nikki for confirmation before I said anything. “Sure sweetie.”

“I want my hair to be pretty like yours,” she gently grabbed one of the springy curls.

“I can make that happen,” Nikki smiled at the little girl.

“Thank you,” Ella squeaked, hiding shyly behind my legs.

“You want to meet my mom?” I asked her.

She nodded and let me lead her over to the bed. “That’s my mom, Nora, and Trace’s mom, Lily.”

“Hi, Ella,” my mom smiled kindly at the little girl.

“Ella is such a pretty name,” Lily said.

“Thank you,” Ella poked her head out from behind my legs. “Who’s Trace?”

“Trace is going to be my husband,” I explained.

“Oh,” her small lips formed an O. “Can I see your dress?”

“Sure,” I helped her onto the chair. I unzipped the garment bag and held up the dress for her inspection. “What do you think?”

“You’re gonna look like a princess,” she clapped her hands together. “I want to be a princess when I grow up and live in a biiiig house just like this … Are you really a princess? Is this a castle?” She looked around in awe.

“Nope, not a princess,” I shook my head. “And this house is really big, but it’s not a castle.”

She frowned. “It would be cool if you were a princess.”

“That would be cool,” I agreed. “I like your shoes,” I tapped the end of her toes, covered by shiny pink sandals.

“My mommy got them for me.”

Maggie came back into the room and smiled when she saw Ella and I together. “Look at my two girls,” she beamed.

“Grandma, that lady is going to make my hair pretty like—” She looked at me questioningly, unsure how to say my name.

“Olivia,” I supplied.

“Like Olivia’s,” Ella nodded proudly, pleased that she said my name correctly.

“Isn’t that nice,” Maggie clapped her hands together.

“What did you need to see Trace for?” I asked, still curious.

“Oh nothing,” she ignored me.

I sighed. I should have been used to the fact that no one ever wanted to tell me anything.

I had forgotten about the sandwiches Cecilia had brought into the room, but when my eyes landed on them I was suddenly ravenous.

“Do you want a sandwich, Ella?”

She nodded her head, pushing her thick bangs out of her eyes. I grabbed a plate for each of us and sat down on the floor beside her.

Nikki did my mom and Lily’s hair and makeup then they left to help set up for the wedding. I wanted to see how everything was coming together, since I really hadn’t had much part in anything, but Lily insisted on it being a surprise. Even Trace didn’t know what it would look like, which made me feel a bit better about being left out of the loop.