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Smoothing the skirt of my light blue, satin dress, I stare up at the mansion before me in awe. I’d doubt it was the actual wedding venue if it wasn’t for the other elegantly dressed guests and the huge, hand-painted sign that reads “Asher and Olivia” on a stand outside the front door.
The grounds are meticulously manicured, and the lawn beside the enormous house stretches far into the distance, with chairs and a gorgeous wedding arch already set up and waiting. I can catch a glimpse of a tent on the other side of the house, presumably where the reception will take place. Ivy adorns the house, as well as the stone fencing surrounding the entire venue. I wonder how much this venue alone must have cost. More than I’ll ever be able to afford, for sure.
Nervous, I begin to doubt—yet again—why I’d agreed to attend this wedding with Aiden. The word “sure” had just popped out of my mouth right after he’d asked me. I’d barely given it any thought before I’d agreed. And here I am. Standing in front of one of the most lavish events I’ve ever seen, feeling wholly out of place.
I’d convinced myself that Aiden and I were simply going as colleagues. It is, somewhat, work related. I mean, Asher is also a founder of the company that runs the foundation. Aiden only asked to be polite. We’re not here as … well, anything.
“Lilly!” a voice calls, accompanied by the warm brush of a hand on the small of my back.
I twirl to see Aiden, and a burst of butterflies flutter through my stomach. God, he looks incredible. He’s wearing a suit and tie, his hair combed back, his blue eyes twinkling. His hand on my back suddenly feels red hot, all of my attention focused on it.
But just as quickly as he’d placed it there, it’s gone. He ushers me toward the doors of the large mansion, and I follow him.
Inside, the décor is just as extravagant as what’s outside. Large chandeliers hang from the ceiling, and bouquets and floral arrangements—in the wedding colors of light blue and white—adorn practically every surface.
A waiter offers us champagne, and Aiden accepts for both of us, handing me a glass. After taking a sip, he chuckles. “You look shellshocked,” he comments.
“Oh.” I shake my head. “Sorry. I’ve just never seen a wedding this …” I struggle for the right word. “Elaborate.”
“Yeah, Asher felt the need to invite pretty much all of the Seattle elite, so …” He shrugs. “And he loves an excuse to throw a good party.”
“Aiden,” a deep voice says from behind us, and we both turn. A man with very similar features to Aiden claps him on the back in greeting. He’s basically just a slightly taller, slightly older version of him. He has to be one of the other King brothers. Is it Asher?
The man shoots me a polite but questioning look, obviously expecting to be introduced.
“Lilly,” Aiden says, “this is my brother Alec.”
Alec reaches out a hand. “Nice to meet you, Lilly.”
“She’s the program manager at the foundation,” Aiden elaborates.
Alec’s face brightens. “Oh yes, Asher had said you were working on that.” He turns to face me. “I’d been meaning to drop by the foundation ever since we started it up, but …” He throws his hands up in the air. “Alas.” He chuckles. “It’s wonderful to finally meet you. I’m so proud of how the foundation has been able to serve the Seattle community.”
I smile in surprise, taken slightly aback by his enthusiasm. If Aiden had had just a fraction of this upon meeting him, I’m sure our first week wouldn’t have been so rocky. “Thank you,” I say. “The work really means a lot to me.” I glance sideways at Aiden. “All I want is to be able to continue. I—we—have so many ideas for the foundation.”
Alec’s smile widens. “That’s so great to hear. Please share those ideas with Aiden while he’s with you guys. We’d love to be able to incorporate them.” He nods in Aiden’s direction.
Someone flags Alec’s attention, and with a nod, he’s off to mingle with a new set of guests. I stare after him in surprise. From what Alec had said, it certainly doesn’t feel like the Maria King Foundation is on the chopping block. Or maybe he’s just being nice. It is a family wedding, after all. Not exactly the time to be a bearer of bad news.
Aiden’s staring at me with a strange look on his face, but before he can open his mouth, we’re bombarded by a new group of guests. Friends of the brothers from high school, apparently. I’m introduced, and after that, it’s a series of random introductions until an announcement is made to head to the ceremony area outside.
Following the crowd, I step out into the backyard where an array of white chairs are laid before us. An elaborately carved arch stands at the top of the aisle, covered in florals. I follow Aiden to the front row, where we sit next to Alec and an older man I assume to be their father. Glancing around, I feel self-conscious in the front row of a wedding where I haven’t even met the bride and groom. But I hardly have time to dwell on that before a quartet of violins begins playing and Asher and his groomsmen take their places beside the arch.
As a procession of bridesmaids glide down the aisle, I fix my gaze on Asher. Just like Alec, he looks similar to Aiden, although slightly broader and with darker eyes. He fidgets with his cufflinks, switching his weight from foot to foot. I can’t help but smile at his nerves. The readiness for what’s to come.
When his face lights up, I turn to follow his gaze, and there is Olivia Reilly at the end of the aisle.
Her dress is magnificent. A cream satin with a simple tulle veil. She walks alone, gripping tightly to the bouquet of blue and white flowers in her hands. Her brown eyes sparkle with emotion, her lip quivering into a radiant smile the closer she gets.
When she reaches him, she hands her bouquet off to a bridesmaid, and Asher grips her hands tightly in his. He whispers something to her that only she can hear, and she laughs quietly. And with that, the officiant starts.
The vows are beautiful, and when they kiss, Asher grips Olivia’s waist, pressing her against him in quite possibly the most passionate kiss I’ve ever seen. Hand in hand, they walk down the aisle to roaring applause, Olivia waving her bouquet in the air and Asher pumping his fist and laughing.
Swept up in the emotion, I find myself clapping and laughing along, following the crowd as we’re ushered to the reception area, a large tent on the other side of the house with gorgeous tables and chairs, a large dancefloor, and twinkling lights draped between the house, the trees, and the tent.
Aiden and I are offered cocktails, and I find myself laughing along with the other guests, milling around and snacking on hors d’oeurvres until Asher and Olivia make their grand entrance and dinner is served, along with toasts that make everyone both laugh and cry.
I’m surprised when Aiden stands up beside me, taking the microphone handed to him by the MC, and gives a rousing, embarrassing speech about Asher’s younger years. I can see him turning beet red and shaking his head while Olivia laughs in delight.
