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“I know,” I said. “You can sit with us, if you want. It’s not like you know a lot of people here.”
She laughed. “I feel like I know a lot of them now. Your family is very friendly.”
That was true. We were also pretty loud, but as luck would have it, so was Gray’s. The collective sound in the room was intense.
“Yeah, we kind of take in anyone and everyone. We’re also not good at minding our own business.” That was for sure.
“It’s okay, I don’t mind it so much,” she said.
I looked around, but no one was paying attention. I reached for a plate and handed her one, yanking her into line before anyone could say something about cutting.
“You didn’t have to do that,” she said, looking at me over her shoulder.
“Do what? I didn’t do anything,” I said, giving her a look.
“Right,” she said, moving forward and reaching for the tongs to put some pasta on her place.
Linley and Gray figured a spaghetti dinner would please the most people, but they had gone all out with the different kinds of pastas, sauces, kinds of meatballs, garlic bread, and salads. That wasn’t even touching the dessert table that was covered with so many familiar favorites from Sweet’s.
Alivia and I loaded up our plates and I searched for my friends. They’d gotten a table and had saved me a seat and pulled over another chair for Alivia.
“Isn’t it nice that you’re not in charge of this event?” Natalie asked, as she sat on Alivia’s other side.
“Yes, it’s a huge relief not to have to worry about the number of chairs or the food running out or having to call the police because there was a brawl.”
Natalie’s eyes went wide.
“Do you often call the cops because of brawls.”
Alivia rolled her eyes. “You’d be surprised.”
I wasn’t. When it came to weddings, emotions were running high, add in alcohol and it was like throwing gasoline on a fire. It was a wonder there weren’t more brawls at weddings.
Linley came to our table to say hello, and then moved around the room, greeting everyone with Gray at her side.
“I really hope he’s going to make her eat something,” I said, but a moment later Gray steered Linley to the food table and put a plate in her hand.
They ended up sitting at a table with both of their parents, which was really adorable.
Someone started tapping their silverware on their glass and everyone else started up. Linley stood up, as did Gray.
“We said we wanted this to be a casual evening, so I’ll keep this brief. Thank you everyone for being here to support and celebrate me and Gray. We feel showered in your love and we can’t wait to see you all tomorrow at the wedding. Cheers!”
We all raised our glasses and then clinked them with each other’s.
“You have to make eye contact or else the toast is cursed,” I said to Alivia.
“Is that so?” she asked.
“Yes,” I said, making sure I stared deep into her eyes as I sipped on my champagne.
She did the same, and I felt my skin growing hot, and it had nothing to do with the champagne. I was the first one to look away, and I could feel myself blushing.
I hoped my friends didn’t see.
* * *
I plowed through a plate of spaghetti and meatballs, and then went for the desserts, loading up my plate.
