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Time to sell this engagement,she thought, walking forward to greet the guests.
The catering company had done a stellar job. Overhead lights were strung from poles, and battery-operated lanterns formed a perimeter to enclose the invitees. Tables were draped in delicate white linens, arranged so small groups could have intimate conversations while they enjoyed the outdoors. Several long tables contained crystal serving dishes filled with heavy hors d’oeuvres and were adorned with floral arrangements in bright summer colors.
Annabelle and Dante spent the evening circulating among the guests, separately and together. Each time someone said “Congratulations” or “Glad you found your way back to each other,” she nodded and smiled and thanked them. She did that often, until her cheeks began to hurt.
Because she kept busy with the guests, she didn’t have time to eat, and after a couple of hours, her stomach started a quiet growl. Departing from a conversation with Lacey and one of her out-of-town cousins, she went to one of the tables and made a small plate of chicken meatballs, added a tostada topped with spicy shrimp and mango salsa, and squeezed on a grilled cauliflower taco with jicama-carrot slaw.
She made her way over to the beverage station to order one of the signature drinks. “I’ll take a raspberry and pomegranate cocktail, please,” she said to the young woman behind the counter.
She mixed the drink and handed Annabelle a glass filled with purple liquid. Taking a grateful sip of the fruity beverage, her sigh of satisfaction was cut short when a broad-shouldered blond came into her line of sight.
“Annabelle.” Sebastian’s voice was cool as he took a bottle of beer from the tub of ice.
“Sebastian,” she said, her voice equally frosty.
That was the best either of them could do by way of a greeting. Sebastian didn’t care for her and was very protective of Dante—as if the devil needed protecting.
Sebastian had distrusted her from the start and harbored suspicions that she was a pampered socialite princess using Dante to explore life outside her socio-economic circle. He assumed when the fascination with a working-class man ended, she’d return to the life she knew and preferred. When she left Dante, he must have believed his suspicions about her were confirmed.
He and Dante met in a unique way. Dante found Sebastian sleeping in his car near Dante’s house. His parents had kicked him out in a bizarre effort to force him to be independent. Dante knew what it was like to struggle and be homeless, and he sympathized with Sebastian’s situation. He offered him a room in the first property he purchased—a small place with three bedrooms, but he ran it like a boarding house with a total of four other roommates.
The two became good friends and remained close over the years. When Dante got married, Sebastian was his best man. As he built his empire, Sebastian worked with him. Their loyalty to each other was unshakeable.
“Is Elise here?” she asked, referring to his live-in girlfriend Dante had told her about.
“She went to visit her parents for the weekend.”
“Oh.”
They both stood awkwardly for a moment, neither knowing what to say next. She nibbled a chicken meatball, and he seemed to have forgotten the beer in his hand as he surveyed the gathered crowd.
Annabelle shot him a curt smile. “Well, I?—”
Her father tapped a knife against an empty glass. “Can I have your attention, please? Just for a few minutes. Annie, Dante, please join me.”
Annabelle stifled a sigh. Oh well, so much for satisfying her hunger.
10
Setting down her food, Annabelle joined Dante to the right of her father.
“I won’t take too much time, but before everyone leaves, I wanted to say a few words.” Clifton clasped his hands together. “I’m happy to have you all here tonight to celebrate the upcoming marriage of my lovely daughter, Annabelle, and her future husband, Dante Escarra. As many of you know, they were married a long time ago, much younger and in my opinion, perhaps not ready for all that marriage entailed at the time. When they separated, I was heartbroken. I had lost another son.”
Empathetic murmurs filled the room.
“But they’re back together again, and I must say I’m a very happy man. I believe this time their marriage will last because they’ve both grown and experienced life. Dante, welcome back to the family. I hope you stay for good this time.”
Laughter and a chorus of “Here, here!” filled the space.
A twinge of guilt filled Annabelle’s chest. She didn’t like deceiving her father, but there was no better way to accomplish her goals.
“I would like to say a few words.”
Her head snapped up at the sound of Dante’s voice.
He extended a hand. Widening her smile, Annabelle placed her hand in his warm clasp.
“What are you doing?” she asked from the corner of her mouth.
