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“What?”
“What you said up there.”
“I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I know I shouldn’t have said anything. I took what should have been a private moment and made it public.”
Grace didn’t say another word. She just grabbed my hand and squeezed it tight, before standing up and disappearing into the crowd.
A moment later,Ella stood in front of me, the carefree smile that I had seen just a moment ago completely wiped away. Her face was stern and her lips were pressed into a tight line.
“Can we talk?” she snapped.
I nodded and escorted her out of the tent and away from the noise. With the music just a faint hum in the background, I could hear the crashing of the waves on the beach below. I took a deep breath and turned to Ella, preparing my apology.
“How could you do this to me?” she asked, beating me to the punch.
“Ella, I’m so—”
“Don’t. I don’t want to hear it. I can’t believe you did this.”
“Please, just let me explain.”
“I don’t want to hear your explanation. Somehow you always do this. You make everything that should be mine all about you. It’s not fair, Dylan!”
“I didn’t—I just—I’m sorry.”
“I’m sick of living in your shadow. I’m sick of being Dylan Woods’ little sister.”
“Ella—”
“Just stop, Dylan. I don’t want to talk to you anymore. Please don’t make this night any worse for me.”
She stormed off and slipped back into the reception tent, and I was left in the dark feeling alone and riddled with guilt.
19
GRACE
Iscanned the tent for signs of Ella and Dylan, but it seemed they were still having their talk. Though if I knew anything about Ella, she probably wasn’t letting him get many words in. I couldn’t help but feel responsible for the whole thing. Sure, I hadn’t been the one who declared my secret love in front of everyone, but it was me he was talking about.
The last thing I wanted to do was ruin Ella’s wedding, and if she found out, I wasn’t sure she would ever forgive me. I heard some commotion on the far side of the tent, and I craned my neck to see what was happening. Ella had returned and had a bottle of champagne in her hand that she was drinking straight out of.
Everyone was cheering for her, but Jonas looked a bit concerned. He took the bottle from her and led her back out to the center of the dance floor, but she clearly wasn’t in the mood for dancing. She stomped off the floor and towards the hotel, where she opened the doors and went inside.
I looked at Jonas, wondering if he was going to follow her, but he remained in place, clearly just as confused as I was. I hesitated for a moment, but then followed Ella into the hotel. When I stepped inside, she was sitting on a couch with her head in her hands.
I approached her slowly and sat down next to her, placing a hand on her shoulder. She sniffled a cry as I stroked her back, and finally she looked up at me. Her eyes were puffy and red, and I wasn’t sure if it was due to the alcohol or the crying.
“I can’t believe him. I hate him so much.”
“I’m so sorry, Ella. I don’t think he was trying to hurt you.”
“So you’re on his side now?”
“What? No, I’m not on anyone’s side.”
“You should be on my side!”
“You’re right, and I am. I am one hundred percent on your side. What he did was selfish and wrong, and I’m so sorry.”
