Free All Good Things Absolved by Alannah Carbonneau Page A

even handle the thought of me spending the night in my own apartment - when I'd had my own place.
    "When do we move in?"
    "Our possession date is just after the wedding."
    I gasped. "That's why we can't go to Italy?"
    "You're catching on." I could hear the lovable shit-grin in his tone and I couldn't help the smile that found its way to my face.
    "Thank you, Jace." I whispered into the air.
    "For what, Angel?"
    "For making all my dreams come true."
    He nuzzled my neck. "How cold are you?"
    "I'm not bad." I grinned, twisting to face him in his arms. "Why?"
    "How do you feel about going swimming?"
    "I don't have a bathing suit." I pouted. "And won't the water be too cold?"
    "We can strip down to our underwear," he proposed with hopeful eyes. "And this will be the last time the weather is even remotely nice enough to get into the water. It'll be chilly, but I'll warm you up."
    I fluttered my lashes at him. "In that case," I laughed, already pulling at my sweater. "How can I refuse?"
    Jace grinned, eagerly shedding his clothing from his body. When we were standing clad in out underwear, he took my hand and led me into the water. It lapped around my ankles and I sighed. It wasn't nearly as cold as I thought it would be. I wiggled my toes, reveling in the soft warmth of the sand that had been baked by the sun all day long and giggled. Jace smiled his shit-grin as he watched me tug him deeper into the water. The waves rocked our bodies gently and the setting sun cast hues of oranges, pinks and reds over the water. As I looked out into the grand vastness of glimmering water, I thought for the very first time in my life that I was living in paradise. Jace's hands rested against my waist, his thumbs rubbing against my skin.
    "You're so beautiful." Jace breathed and I pulled my eyes from the water to look at him.
    "You're not so bad yourself." I teased, but as he lifted me, urging me to wrap my legs around his waist before turning in the water so the sun was sitting just behind him, he looked like an angel. The golden orb haloed his ebony hair and my breath caught. He looked like a Seraph. A loving warrior angel. My angel. I dipped my head to his, letting my lips fall against his. "I am so in love with you."
    ***
    There was only a week before the wedding and I was a frantic mess. I honestly didn't know why, because everything was done. I had my dress...and it still fit! The invitations were sent out and we had exactly seventy-seven confirmations. Trisha said that was a good sign - she was superstitious and apparently seventy-seven was a lucky number. We had the cake, the meal plan and the music picked out. I even asked Trey to walk me down the aisle - he said yes! I asked him because he was my only real male friend in New York. And he seemed to genuinely care for me. The thought of him waking me down the aisle to Jace made me feel giddy. Trey had gotten over his little crush on me and now I viewed him like a brother. I hoped he viewed me like a sister and not just his friend. I wanted the close-knit family and I was so close to acquiring everything I had ever dreamed of. I couldn't wait for the end of the week so I could finally call myself Mrs. Jace Rush.
    I grinned like a buffoon. It had such a lovely ring to it.
    On a stretch, I opened my eyes to stare up at the ceiling. I realized then as my muscles adjusted to the morning that there was no body next to mine. Abruptly, I sat up to find a note on Jace's pillow. I snatched it up and focused on the writing.
     
    Angel,
    You were too gorgeous to disturb so I let you sleep. Call me when you wake up. I'll be at the office, waiting to hear from you.
    I love you.
    Xoxo,
    Jace.
     
    I smiled to myself as I reached for my phone on the nightstand. Not a moment after my hand made contact, it started ringing. I looked down at the screen and frowned. I didn't recognize the number.
    "Hello?" My voice sounded weary.
    "Olivia, how are you?" A familiar male voice spoke through the line. My bones felt