20. Ellery

Ellery

I wasn’t ready for this vacation to be over. It finally felt like Juniper and I were finding each other. It had been pure bliss since our visit to Selina’s.

I was worried when we’d run into that woman at the ice rink. I hadn’t even recognized her, but I could tell June was upset by it, and why wouldn’t she be? I would have been upset too. I wasn’t sure what exactly had happened, but the lines hadn’t just become blurred, they’d disappeared entirely. I couldn’t say for sure what would happen after this vacation, but I knew what I wanted.

I wanted Juniper.

But I couldn’t just say that. I needed to clear things up. I needed to show her I was serious about this. About us. I started with rush ordering the next piece to her set. It was a gold chain necklace golden crescent moon with a dangling star in the center made of diamond. It was perfect for my pretty moon.

Then there was the money. It would be easy for me to take it out of the equation, but she was relying on that for her business. And while I would just give it to her willingly, I worried it would always be sitting between us. But I had a plan to remedy that tonight.

It was the evening of our annual holiday ball, which always took place on the last night of our vacation. My parents invited almost everyone they knew for a big bash, and it was the talk of the year. Though I wasn’t one for major events like that—preferring the night life, my parents truly knew how to do it. They always had elegant, large ice statues littering the space, excellent dinner, and an open bar that would make anyone happy.

I had a special friend I planned to ask about investing in her company. I thought they would go for it, and it would be a win-win. There would be no money sitting between me and Juniper, and she could run her business.

I slid the necklace case in my suit pocket. Tonight, I wore a normal black suit with a tie that had festive Christmas trees on it. I didn’t usually wear a patterned tie, but t’was the season and all that.

I stood on the deck. The sun had set a little while ago and now the moon was high in the sky. I stared up at it, thinking about that first night with June.

The sliding door opened and out she came. She was stunning. Her red hair was secured back off her face with a snowflake pin. Her dress was a glittery champagne color, reflecting every time she turned. There was a large slit up the side and the top was strapless.

Her makeup was heavy, but it only added to her beauty. She had her bracelet on and her earrings that were easy to see with her hair back. I thought of how she was going to look with the necklace on top of it. It felt like the strapless dress was made for it, leaving room for it to sit.

“You look amazing,” I breathed. How a knockout like her ever gave me a second glance would always be a mystery for me.

If she could give me longer than a glance, I would take it.

“Thanks. Rachel let me borrow the clip,” she said, fiddling with it.

I grabbed her hands and kissed them. “It’s not the clip,” I said. “It’s all you.”

She tinged red the way I loved. “Thanks. You look good too.”

“Should we head out, pretty moon?” I asked.

She nodded, and I kissed her just because I could.

“Why do you call me that?” she asked.

I swallowed. “It’s a bit silly,” I said.

“Tell me anyway.”

I gestured for her to follow me to the edge of the balcony, where we could see the moon high in the sky. “The night we hooked up, when you left, I looked up at the moon and thought of you. I’m still not sure why, but every time I look at the moon I think of you, and how even something that beautiful could never compare to you. You’re my pretty moon.”

I glanced at her to see her eyes watery. “That’s not silly at all. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard.”

“And you’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

I brought her in for a passionate kiss. One I hoped told her everything. I wanted to keep going. I wanted our relationship to go past this vacation. But I wasn’t ready to say it yet, not everything was in place. Once it was, I was going to tell her how I felt. The party was long, and the night was young, so I was sure I’d tell her tonight.

“Let’s go,” she said as she pulled back.

We headed towards the ball room. It was totally decked out in decorations. Christmas lights were everywhere, with a central tree as tall as the ceiling in the center, covered in lights, garland, and ornaments. Ice sculptures lined the edge of the room. They were always themed, and it seemed this year they had a Greek god theme. There was a large Zeus in the corner and an Apollo next to it. Aphrodite sat in the center, and I hoped it would be a good omen for how tonight would go for us.

There were already guests scattered around the ballroom and the chatter was in full swing.

“This is crazy,” Juniper commented as she looked around.

“Nothing like the Baker’s, huh?” I asked.

“Nothing.”

“Come on, let’s grab a drink.”

We moved to the bar to grab some of the signature spiced cider my mother had made every year. It was spicy and sweet, so good it was hard to tell there was alcohol in it.

When the dinner started, we made our way to the table. We were at the head table with my whole family. Dinner was an amazing five courses, with a tiramisu dessert at the end. It felt as if everything was looking up.

“I need to run to the bathroom,” Juniper said, excusing herself.

“Okay, it’s that way,” I told her, pointing to the corner. “Do you need me to show you?”

“I think I’ll manage,” she said.

She kissed my temple before she left and I touched the spot absentmindedly.

“He has the look,” Rachel said.

“What look?” I asked.

“The one you always make fun of Samuel for having,” Tiffany said from across the table.

Rachel laughed. “Exactly.”

I laughed too. I couldn’t believe Tiffany said that. Though she and Arthur had been married almost ten years, I didn’t think I’d spoken more than a few sentences to her. Even Arthur was smiling.

As we chatted I spotted Veronica passing the table, and excused myself to follow her.

“Veronica,” I called to get her attention.

She turned. Her black hair was styled down and she wore a navy blue dress.

“Ellery, long time no see,” she said, giving me a hug.

I returned it. We’d been friends for so long that it was comfortable. Sure, we’d hooked up on occasion, but that was truly all it was. Neither of us had any real interest in the other past a single drunken night when we felt like it.

And that was all behind me now.

“I was hoping I’d see you.”

“Why? I thought you finally got locked down. It’s all anyone can talk about.”

“Really?” I asked, surprised.

She nodded. “It’s not every day the city’s biggest playboy gets scooped up.”

“Yeah, well when you meet her, you’ll understand. She’s amazing.”

“I’m sure she is,” she said with a smile. “Where is she, by the way? It’s half the reason I drove all the way up here.”

“She’s in the bathroom, but I wanted to talk to you first.”

“What’s up?”

“Let’s chat outside,” I said.

I led her to one of the balconies along the side. Once we got there, I explained everything about Juniper’s business plan. Championing its AI features and hyping up how much I thought it will work. Though Veronica’s dad was one of the best lawyers in the city, Veronica stepped outside of the firm to become an excellent investment broker. She’d made millions investing in businesses she saw potential in, and I knew she would be interested in June’s.

“That does sound interesting, if it performs the way you say. When we get back, I would love to see more. If they can prove the concept, I would be comfortable talking investment.”

“Awesome, I knew you’d want it.”

“I’m not guaranteeing anything,” she said in her business way, but then her tone shifted. “But I am happy that you found someone, and someone way cooler than you.”

“Yeah, no kidding. Want to see the next piece to her set?” I asked.

“You’re already building her set? You are serious,” she said. “Lemme see.”

I pulled out the necklace to show her. She took the case, examining it before handing it back. “God, where can I find a man with this level of taste.”

I laughed, slipping it back into my pocket. “I’m not sure, this one is taken, though.”

She sighed. “How unfortunate, but really, I am happy for you.”

“Thanks. Me too.” She gave me another hug and I hugged her back.

Everything was going to work out, I knew it.