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“I’ve hidden for long enough.” Sofia winces. “Elias, the son of my cousin, Sirena, is the page boy and he is the devil.” She picks up her dress, which looks fantastic on her. “Excuse me, Gretchen. We’ll talk later because I want all the details about you and my brother.” She pauses. “You can leave the naked bits out.” Laughing at herself, she moves through her family on the large patio and disappears from view.
Overwhelmed being the odd one out in such a large family gathering, I let out a massive sigh of relief when Levi joins me.
“How’s Ryan this morning?”
I feel a blush rush into my cheeks and Levi chuckles. “I take it he’s fine?”
“Very.”
“That’s enough of that.” He shudders. “I promised Ryan I’d keep you company, so no need to look like a scared kitten.”
“I’m so out of my depth here.”
“Me too.”
Startled, my eyes jump to his. “How? I thought they’re your family.”
“My mum and dad are cousins to Ruben and his brothers, right?”
I nod.
“We haven’t hung out for maybe ten years. The only person I have spent time with over the years is Ryan. I’m still family and in town, so I got an invite.” He shrugs. “It’s nice seeing everyone, but it makes me anxious to be around them.” He drains the glass of champagne, helping himself to another as the waiter passes. “As we’re the two strangers here, how about we sit together as Ryan has other things to do?”
“I’d love that.”
He busts out laughing. “Don’t let Ryan know you’re relieved to have me for company.” Holding his arm out, I slide mine through and let him lead us to seats on the back row. “Oh,” he mumbles as I sit, “I should have asked if you wanted to sit back here or up there.”
“I’m fine here.” I pat the seat beside me. “You can tell me who everyone is as they take their seats, and, maybe, I’ll remember.”
“Yeah, good luck with that.”
I nudge into his shoulder. “You have nothing better to do, so humor me, please.”
“I love a girl who begs.” He wiggles his brows suggestively.
Rolling my eyes, I remind, “Who’s who?”
“If you’re not willing to play, then I guess I can do that.” He glances around. “So, who do you know?”
“Lily and Michael. Alexander, of course, and his wife, Rachel. Her sister, Paige, and her husband, Seth. Jaxon and Poppy. I was doing my masters while they were at college together. I’ve met Ryan’s mom and dad today, along with Sofia and her husband, Shane. Some of the others I do recognize, but it’s been a long time.”
“Okay, then! At your two o’clock is Ramon and his husband, Noah; adoptive fathers to Paige and Rachel. Then we have near the oak tree, Lily and Michael’s offspring. Michael Jnr, his wife, Brooke. Michael’s twin, Charlotte and her husband, Tanner. Their sister, Sirena, who is married to Garrett…I hope you’re following?”
“I think so.”
“Talking to Lily is the youngest, Joshua and his wife, Mallory. Just arrived is Lucian and his wife, Sabrina. Of course, you know their son, Alexander—” Levi waves his hand in the air. “And then their daughter, Olivia, and her husband, Geary.” He pauses. “I’m going to need a refill when I’ve finished.”
“I’ll get you one.”
“Last of all, we have Sebastian and his wife, Carla. Their son, Dylan, who went to Ireland for Christmas and came back with a girlfriend, Jenna. Madison is a few years older and is married to Derek, father of Tanner and best friend of Garrett. Confusing as fuck, but they’re family.”
I laugh, wanting to know their story because both Garrett and Derek are much older than their wives. There are probably a lot of stories to be told and I can’t wait for Ryan to tell me. I’m not going to remember their names either—too many of them for that.
“Levi,” a male voice rumbles behind him, “nice seeing you here.”
“Uncle Eric.” Levi jumps up and hugs the man. “I’m coming around for you, Aunt Sylvia.” He slips in front of me and takes his aunt off her feet.
“Put my wife down,” Eric says.
