Chapter One: The Wedding Date

Two months later…

Nate's phone rang as he was straightening his tie. He answered and pressed speaker so he could finish getting ready. "Hello?"

"Nate, it's Sander." Nate bit back a wince. He sounded awful. Congested and hoarse.

"Hey, man, what's up?"

"I have a favor to ask and you're the only one going to this wedding who doesn't have a date already."

"What are you talking about?" Nate asked with a furrowed brow.

"I was supposed to be Ella's date and now I'm sick. I need you to cover for me."

"Ella's going?"

"She's trying to save face and show Tess and Stubby she's not bothered, you know? But obviously she doesn't want to show up without a date and now I'm sick. I don't want to leave her stranded, man. Can you help me out?" Sander asked in a pleading tone.

"Trust me, man, she wouldn't want me to be her date."

"I think she'd prefer you to going alone," Sander told him.

He had him there. The idea of Ella being subjected to the wedding alone pained him. She didn't deserve that. "Okay, fine. You're right."

"Great, I'll text you her address. I appreciate this."

"Don't worry about it," Nate answered. "I owe her anyway."

Sander let out a chuckle. "Yeah, I'd say so."

Nate shook his head and hung up. His friends were jerks.

Her doorbell rang and Ella put on her coat before answering it. Her face fell at the sight of Nate Grey on the other side of her door.

"Where's Sander?"

He sighed and gave her a small wave. "Good to see you too."

She winced and shook her head. "Sorry, I—that was rude. I just meant, I was expecting Sander."

Nate nodded. "He's sick so he called me. I hope that's okay."

"Honestly, anything is preferable to going alone," Ella admitted. "I hate this."

"I'm sorry, Ells. I really am. If I'd known this would have happened 10 months ago I never would have—"

"Introduced them? Caused all this mess?" Ella asked him with a smirk.

"Something like that, yeah," Nate agreed with a sigh.

"It's okay," Ella said with a shrug. "You didn't do it on purpose. And…I'm sorry too. I really didn't intend to stop talking to you—"

"No, you had every right to—"

"Stop, I did not. I was a horrible friend to you. I shouldn't have blamed you. Stubby and I would have fallen apart all on our own eventually anyway. I see that now," Ella admitted. "So, can we…drop the awkwardness and just be us again?"

Nate smiled warmly at her and nodded. "Happy to, Ella. I've missed you."

She blushed and returned his smile. "I've missed you too, Nate."

"And this wedding is nothing to stress about. You're stronger than some cheating ex-fiance."

"Thank you," Ella said with a nod. "But it's not him I'm worried about so much as our extended circle. You know, no one has mentioned either of their names to me since we broke up? And I can tell when people avoid talking about them in front of me because they all have this look. It's pity mixed with sadness and I hate it. One break up shouldn't define me."

Nate nodded his agreement. "Well, follow my lead and by the end of this I think you'll be through with those pitying looks."

"What are you going to do?" Ella asked skeptically.

"Just trust me," Nate said with a grin. "Go big or go home, right?"

"Oh god, I don't think I'm prepared for this."

Nate chuckled. "You're prepared for everything, Ella. I've seen what you pack in your purse."

She laughed and took his arm as he held it out for her. She closed and locked the door and let him lead her to his car. "I really have missed you, Nate."

"I'm so glad to hear it," Nate told her as held his car door open for her.

They were nearly late for the start of the ceremony which Ella was actually glad about because it meant they had to sit in the back. Still though, people noticed when she and Nate walked in. The ceremony was surprisingly traditional considering the bride and it went off smoothly except for the awkward silence when the minister said "if anyone has just cause that these two should not be wed, let them speak now or forever hold their peace." Eyes slowly turned to face her with expectant and worried and piteous looks. She stared straight ahead and forced herself not to acknowledge it.

Nate reached over at just the right time and took her hand, almost as if he could sense her discomfort. They sat like that for the rest of the ceremony. For some reason Nate's hand intertwined with hers felt so right, almost perfect. So perfect that she wondered why she'd never held his hand before.

He didn't let go of her hand when the ceremony was over and they got up to leave. She didn't question it. Honestly, she didn't mind. She was so caught up in the feeling of Nate's hand that she didn't see Stubby and Tess standing by the chapel doors greeting guests. When Nate stopped she finally looked up.

"Ella," Tess said with a relieved smile. "I'm glad you came."

Ella gave her a small half hearted smile and nodded but said nothing.

Stubby furrowed his brow at her and Nate's joined hands. "Are you…are you two together?"

Ella opened her mouth to answer but Nate beat her to it.

"Yes, yes we are…together," Nate said as he squeezed Ella's hand and met her eyes, with a look that reminded her to trust him.

"Wow, really?" Tess asked.

Shane who was standing just behind them gave them both a confused glance. "You never said anything, bro."

"Well, you know, we were finding our footing before we told anyone," Nate answered. Ella nodded in agreement with his lie.

"We didn't want every one to get their hopes up if it didn't work out," Ella added.

"So," Peggy said with an eager smile. "Does this declaration mean it's working out?"

Nate turned to look at Ella with a warm smile and nodded. "I think so, yeah. Look, we're gonna go but we'll see all of you at the reception."

Ella waved as she let Nate led them back to his car. Once they were seated in the car she turned to him with a curious look. "What was that about?"

"Well, no one's looking at you with pity anymore, right?"

"Not now, but they will when they find out it's all a lie," Ella said with a sigh. "Especailly when they find out that you only did it because you feel guilty or something."

"That's not why I did it, Ells."

She chuckled dryly and rolled her eyes. "Close enough."

"Look, we'll just let the story circle for a couple of weeks and then we'll say it just didn't work out. It's fine," Nate told her. "Relax. Just…try to have fun?"

"At my ex's wedding? Yeah that'll happen. You know it's bad when you're the one telling me to have fun."

"That's true," Nate said with a chuckle. "I'm usually the grumpy one."

"You still are. Believe me," Ella said with a teasing grin.

"Gee, thanks."

The reception was fun, for everyone else. Ella was ready to get out of there. She hated lying and she hated watching Tess get everything Ella always thought she wanted. She took a large gulp of her Champagne. She wished she could say it was her first glass.

"You're not hungry?" Barron asked Ella as he motioned to her plate of food. She hadn't touched it all.

"Not really, no," Ella answered honestly.

"Then I guess you should work up an appetite first," Nate told her with a kind smile. "Dance?"

He held out his hand to her and gave her a pointed look. She nodded and smiled softly. "Absolutely," she said as she took his hand and they headed out to the dance floor. She'd had a few glasses of champagne at that point and maybe it was starting to reach her head because while walking out to the dance floor her hand drifted up and gave Nate's bicep a squeeze. She realized what she'd done immediately and felt her face flush. But, god, did he have a firm bicep. When did he have time to go to the gym? He didn't used to be that fit. He gave her an amused glance as she pulled her free hand away from his arm with a wince.

"Sorry, sorry—blame the champagne," she said sheepishly. "Buzzed Ella is a bit bolder than normal Ella and you look very…built. Not sure when that happened."

"Relax," Nate said with a chuckle once he was holding her close. His arms were around her waist as he answered her, "After we stopped hanging out so much I started going to the gym. It filled the time I had since I no longer had to watch some sappy musical with you every weekend." He gave her small teasing smile as she reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Now, do you think you can relax manage to relax without further assistance from Champagne?"

"I can do that, yes," she told him.

He smiled affectionately at her. "Good. Because if I have to be the relaxed one tonight we are going to have some serious problems."

Ella's seriously façade broke with a genuine laugh. "That's true."

"Also, just a warning, I'm a horrible dancer."

"I remember," Ella told him with another laugh. "Caitlyn tried to teach you that one summer. It was awful."

"I'm so glad you're not concerned with bruising my ego."

"You're a rich famous Rockstar who has tens of thousands of girls throwing themselves at you. I think your ego can stand a little bruising, Nate," Ella told him with a grin.

He pulled her as close as he could and then suddenly dipped her. She squealed in surprise and then laughed loudly. God, he loved her laugh. It was good to hear it after all this time. He pulled her back up and then smiled warmly at her.

"What?" She asked him with a soft blush.

"You just have a great laugh, is all," Nate said honestly. "I'm not usually a funny guy but if it means hearing your laugh then I guess I need to learn some jokes."

"You do fine without the jokes, Nathaniel," Ella assured him with a flirtatious smile. "I feel like this is the first time I've really laughed in a while."

"Why is that, exactly?" Nate asked. "You used to always laugh."

"After Stubby and Tess I dove into work," she admitted. "I keep trying to land that one big client I need to strike out on my own."

"You'll do it, Ells. I know you will," Nate assured her.

"Is that Nathaniel Grey I see smiling and dancing?"

Nate turned with Ella still in his arms to see TJ Tyler watching him in amusement.

"Ms. Tyler," Nate said with a smile. "Hi. The wedding is beautiful."

"It is, isn't it? I've been using the same event planner for years. She's a miracle worker. If only I could find a stylist and designer with the same staying power."

Ella's eyes widened at that sentence and she wasted no time. "Ms. Tyler, I don't know if you remember me but—"

"Of course I do, you're Van's little girl. You and my Tess are friends," TJ said with a kind smile.

"Friends," Ella said with a deep calming breath. "Yes, that's what we are."

Before Ella lost it, Nate interrupted. "Ella's actually a very talented designer, Ms. Tyler. She used to style Connect Three. She quit to start designing her own stuff. She's one of the best."

Ella gave Nate a grateful look and smiled warmly at him. "Thank you."

"It's the truth," he told her with a modest shrug.

"Really? Well, I have a lot of applicants to go though, honestly. But best of luck to you," TJ said politely.

"If I could just show you my portfolio, I think you might find it interesting," Ella pleaded.

"I tell you what, I can't make any promises, but let me have your card and I'll see what I can do," TJ said as she held out a hand.

"Oh! Yes, of course," Ella said as she opened her clutch and swiftly pulled a card from inside of it. "That's my personal cell."

"Thank you, have fun you two," TJ said just before she walked away.

"Oh god," Ella said as she turned back to Nate. "If I could get TJ Tyler as a client I could definitely quit my horrible job."

"She'll call," Nate said with a smile.

"No, she won't," Ella said with a sigh and shake of her head.

"She will," Nate said as he pulled her back in to dance.

"So, this looks awful serious," Peggy said as she and Ella's brother, Chevy, interrupted their dance.

"To her," Chevy said. "To me, it's suspicious. Ella's never been able to keep a secret. Which is why I never told my kid sister anything growing up. The few times I did always got me in trouble."

"Just because I didn't tell you, doesn't mean it isn't happening, Chev," Ella said as she tried not to look her brother in the eye. She hated lying.

"Actually, Chevy, it is serious. Very serious," Nate said as he pulled Ella into his side and wrapped an around her waist. Ella nodded before he continued. She wasn't sure where he was going with this but he'd said to trust him earlier. "So serious that I…just proposed."

Ella tensed next to him. She wasn't expecting that.

"Oh my god, really?" Peggy asked with giddy excitement. "You're engaged?"

"Yes," they both answered simultaneously. Though Ella's answer was a bit more hesitant.

"Since when?" Chevy asked.

"Last night," Ella supplied. "Not, you know, right now cause it's Tess's day and that would be rude."

"That explains why you didn't say that earlier when Stubby asked if you were together," Peggy said with a nod. "Definitely do not want to upstage Tess of all people."

"No, absolutely not," Ella said with wide urgent eyes.

"But oh my gosh that's so exciting!" Peggy said as she hugged Ella tightly. "I'm so happy for you two. Oh gosh, you've come such a long way since that last summer at Camp when you did nothing but gush about him," Peggy said with a laugh.

Ella's eyes widened and she blushed furiously. "Um, Peg, he actually didn't know about that."

"Oops," Peggy said with chuckle. "Sorry."

Nate grinned at her. "Wait, you had a crush on me? Back then? You never told me that."

"You had Dana," Ella said with a shrug. "Why would I have told you that?"

"She told me," Chevy said with a scoff. "She wouldn't shut up about it, actually."

"Chevy, have I ever told you how much I treasure having you as a brother?" Ella asked with a sarcastic glare.

"All the time," Chevy said with a chuckle.

"Did I hear someone say my kid brother is engaged?" Shane asked with a furrowed brow.

"Don't say that too loud," Peggy warned him. "We don't want to upstage Tess."

"No, don't do that, ever," Shane agreed. "But engaged to who?" He asked. "Ella?"

"No, some other girl that he just announced he was dating," Chevy said in a dry tone.

"Yeah, that's another question I have have," Shane said. "When did this start? Cause two months ago you told me she hadn't talked to you in eight months."

"It started two months ago," Nate said as he thought quickly. "You told me to call her, we reconnected, and now we're here."

"Engaged?" Shane asked skeptically.

"Engaged," Ella confirmed.

"Boy, when you fall in love you don't waste time. Do you, little brother?" Shane asked with a grin.

"You know me, always prompt and productive," Nate said with a shrug and a grin.

"This is the best news I've had in a very long time," Peggy said happily. "I cannot wait to help you with the planning, Ella. It's going to be so much fun."

"The…planning? Right, yeah. Well, we should probably pick a date first," Ella said with a nod.

"Well, it would have to be soon right? I mean I know how you feel about a December wedding," Chevy said as he gave his sister a knowing look.

"Well, you know, it's not like it has to be this December," Ella said as she nervously cleared her throat.

"You sound like you need a drink," Nate said as he sensed her stress levels rising. "Excuse us, guys," Nate said as he took Ella's hand and led her away. "I'm sorry," he whispered as they walked. "I may have taken things a bit too far."

"A bit?" She asked in a shrill tone. "A bit? They're talking wedding plans, Nate. I just lied to my brother!"

"Well, I lied to mine too," Nate said with a sheepish shrug.

"Oh god, we're horrible people," Ella said as she grabbed a glass of champagne off of a passing trey. So much for relaxing with out another glass of alcohol.

"No, we're not. Look, Ella, I'll call everyone tomorrow and tell them it was a horrible joke. I had too much champagne and wedding fever or something."

She laughed. "You? Too much champagne? You never drink enough to get drunk or even buzzed, Nate. No one will believe that."

"Trust me," he said. "I can sell it."

"I've been trusting you all night long and all we've done is lie."

"Yes, but the sad looks you were getting are now excited looks. And no one seems to avoiding the topic of Tess and Stubby now. They all see just how over it you are," Nate told her. "So, we did accomplish that at least."

"At least," Ella repeated just before she downed the whole glass of champagne in one gulp.