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Lennon is not going to believe any of this.
Nine
Griffin
I’m trying to be relaxed walking through the crowd of strangers dressed in their best clothes for this ridiculous wedding. Every nerve in my body is on edge, afraid to mess it up, but when I look back at Ellis and see the joy on her face, theway she lights up in the name of adventure, none of those nerves bother me–not a single one.
We mingle in the hall during the cocktail hour, and I grab two glasses of champagne off a tray floating by. Scanning the large hall at the entrance to The Overlook, I find Ellis standing alone, eyes wide and looking around the room to take in the white tiles, gold accents, and large chandelier hanging over the center of the space. She’s pulling at the long sleeves of her gown, and I fight the urge to dip my eyes lower.
I walk up behind her with the glasses. “Here,” I say, and she turns around, eyes still wide until she notes the drink I’m holding in front of her. “Maybe it’ll calm your nerves,” I supply. “Do you even like champagne? Do you drink?” I can’t help the way the questions rattle something inside of me, reminding me that despite how easy she is to talk to, I still know next to nothing about her.
She works in marketing. She isn’t afraid of ridiculous jumpsuits or pulling strangers into dressing rooms.
Or maybe she is. This entire birthday thing seems out of the norm–it’s certainly out of the norm for me, but I like being around her. I like it a fucking lot.
She takes the glass, smelling its contents before looking back at me. “Idodrink, and I do like champagne but—”
I raise a brow. “What?”
Ellis leans forward, lowering her voice to a harsh whisper. “We are crashing this wedding, Finn. Isn’t this like, I don’t know?Stealing?”
I take a drink, holding her gaze and watching her scowl at my lack of an answer. The champagne is on the sweeter side. Thank God it’s not terrible, because if I were being honest, I was only drinking it to prove a point–to challenge her. Though she is right, it is stealing. She did pay me two hundred dollars for this.Maybe I can leave a bit of cash as a gift–a wedding present for the couple.
I nod toward the glass delicately clasped in her hand. “Drink it, and I’m sure you’ll stop worrying.”
She hesitates for a moment–like she’s weighing the consequences before shrugging and bringing the glass to her lips.
I smirk, nudging her with my arm. “Don’t worry, I’ll leave a tip for the bride and groom.”
When she takes a deep breath, I see her finally relax.
Definitely the type to follow the rules, then.
My eyes fix on her, trying to make all her puzzle pieces fit together. I want to see the full picture of Ellis, and I’m willing to work for it, too. She’s funny, I know that and told Noah as much. She’s anxious about parking cars, and works in marketing but doesn’t seem to enjoy it.
I’m busy listing the things I’ve learned when a high-pitched voice interrupts my thoughts, drawing our attention to the blonde stranger now standing in front of us.
“Hey,” she says. “I’m Cassidy. Cass for short.” The petite woman is looking right at us–expecting some kind of response, and I try to settle the spike of adrenaline that runs through my blood.Casstosses a strand of blonde hair over her shoulder, gently grabbing Ellis’s arm as if she’s known her for years. I swear I see Ellis stiffen, but she quickly gets a hold of herself. That thrill of what we are doing runs through me again, my heart beating faster like I’m about to go cliff diving. “I don’t think I’ve met you guys yet,” Cass continues. Her eyes cut to me. “I’m the bride’s cousin.”
My mouth opens to answer, trying to intercept the conversation, but Ellis beats me to it. If the woman’s presence had her stumbling before, there’s no indication now.
“Ellie,” she says, her voice casual—betraying nothing. “Oh, and this is my husband, Stuart.”
A wicked smirk dances on her lips, and I fight the urge to laugh in this poor woman’s face.
Well played.
“Oh.” Cass drags the word out like our names don’t ring a bell.
And of course, they don’t.
One of them is completely made up.
She tilts her head to the side. Her red-painted lips pull into a friendly smile, green eyes glittering with the hope of meeting new friends–or at least that’s what I assume she’s doing.
Some part of me worries that she’s onto us, and her cousin sent her over to kick us out.
“I don’t think I’m familiar. You two are here for–” Cass lingers on the last word, waiting for us to fill in with whatever answer she’s seeking.
