Elly nodded. Snarky Teenager walked away from Elly, the workers trailing behind her like ants. A sudden silence fell over the ballroom as the immense door slammed behind them, interrupted only by a single waiter, humming softly as he polished the silver. Elly picked up the only remaining bucket and limped over to the cake table in the corner of the room. The cake was a six-tiered masterpiece. It was an ivory confection, with a white lace and fleur de lis fondant overlay. The surface had been lightly dusted with sugar crystals, giving the cake a hint of shimmer, and it stood proudly in front of a large window swaged with long sheer curtains. Elly rolled her eyes. She was too exhausted for all this drama. The décor for the cake was simple: a long cascade of cattalya orchids – the same ones adorning the napkins – down the cake and around the base.
Elly made quick work of it, tucking flowers into the corners of the tiers, making sure not to touch the delicate icing while securing the blooms so that they wouldn’t fall. She stepped back and admired her work. Perfect. She looked up at the topper, a white hand-made porcelain statue of two entwined lovers, their arms twisting around each other to form a heart. Elly gagged. Without thinking, she reached up on her tip toes and snapped the bride’s head off, tucking it securely it into her apron pocket. She gathered up her tools, throwing each one haphazardly into the bucket.
She turned to leave, taking a long last look at the ballroom. His steps made no sound as he approached behind her. She felt his presence before she even saw his face.
“Hello, Elly.”
Elly turned around slowly. Aaron.
CHAPTER
THIRTY
Elly’s hands gripped the chair in front of her. Please God, no… Her legs felt weak; she was going to faint. A black tunnel opened up in front of her and she was quickly whirling out of control. She pressed down against the chair, summoning all her strength to stay upright.
“Elly, Elles – are you okay?”
Elly pressed out her hand towards him, the other one still gripping, white knuckled. “Stay back. Stay away from me Aaron!” Oh God, oh God, please help me…
“Elly, are you afraid of me? Let me look at you.”
“Stay AWAY from me. Please, I mean it, don’t come any closer.”
“Elly,” he said sweetly, pleadingly, “Stop. Look at me.”
She shook her head and closed her eyes. “Go away Aaron.” Her voice quivered on the last note. “Leave me alone.”
Suddenly, he was upon her, his arm sliding over hers and releasing her fingers, lacing them through his.
“You look like you are about to pass out. Come sit down, sweetheart.”
His scent washed over her, a sweet wave of Georgia air and sharp, crisp notes of paint. She inhaled deeply, breathing in every inch of him. Elly let Aaron lead her over to a chair. She sat heavily, aware as she did that she was crushing one of Ardelle’s arrangements in the process. Aaron’s arms held firm around her.
“There, there you go. Are you okay now?”
Elly nodded, trying to keep her unraveling grasp on staying conscious. She kept her eyes closed. His fingers trailed up her neck softly, pulling her chin upwards.
“Elles. Look at me.”
Elly opened her eyes reluctantly. He was the sun. His hazel eyes gazed at her seductively, tiny specks of gold dancing inside them. His soft baby cheeks with just a hint of pink looked out of place on his long, chiseled jaw. He had thin rose lips that opened slightly, framing his perfect white teeth. His lean body curled over the chair, Elly’s face in his rough artist’s hands. His tuxedo fit him like a glove, emphasizing his wide shoulders and long build. He was, after all this time, the most beautiful thing Elly had ever seen.
“Elly,” he murmured, staring into her face, “I forgot just how beautiful you were.”
Elly felt herself drifting happily away into his strong arms. “I’ve missed you,” she whispered.
“I missed you too,” he said, sounding heart-broken. “I think about you everyday, hell – every hour.”
“Really?” Elly whispered.
“Really. I lay awake at night and try to remember every inch of you.” Elly reached out her hand. “I can’t believe you’re here now, here with me.” Aaron took her hand softly and held it against his face. He breathed deeply. “I prayed that I would see you here today. I asked Sunny for inane wedding details, just to find you. I had to see you. I thought if I saw you then I would know.”
Elly’s lips curled into a soft smile. “Know what?”
Aaron brought his face close to hers – their lips were almost touching. “That I was wrong. I was wrong to leave. We are supposed to be together, Elles. I never knew how lucky I was until you had gone. I tried to find you, you know that?” Elly closed her eyes. These words, these were the words she had dreamed of hearing for so long. He loved her, he missed her…he had looked for her.
His hand trailed across her brow, his mouth whispering words into her own. “Come away with me. Be mine again. I have always loved you, and I made the biggest mistake of my life the day you left me. I should have crawled on my knees until you came back to me. Elly, you were my life.” His eyes simmered with pain. “I’ll do anything to be with you again. Elly. I choose you.”
With that, Elly pulled his lips violently to hers. The kiss was deep and passionate – waves of resentment and anger, love and want rolled over them and they clutched at each other with rough desperation. Aaron wrapped his hands into her hair and pulled her face against his. His breathing was labored and Elly gasped with joy. Aaron pulled her body roughly to his.