AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Releasing Rory’s wrist, he indicated the town cars and limos clustered outside the hotel’s front doors. “The car will take us to the church first, then the reception.”
“Great. I hope there’ll be cake.”
They were whisked away to the cathedral, where large bouquets and ribbons decorated the pews, and guests lined up to sign a leather guest book. An usher led them to their seats in the front row.
The ceremony was elaborate but heartfelt, with his parents heading the processional of a dozen bridesmaids and groomsmen. Alice was resplendent in a white Cinderella gown, and Grant didn’t even have to look at his little brother to sense Nathan’s joy over marrying her.
While Grant had never been into the show-off nature of weddings, he was very glad he’d come to witness his brother and Alice’s happiness. He might’ve even experienced a tightness in his throat when Nathan choked up while reciting his vows.
After the newlywed couple departed to resounding applause, Grant had to accompany his parents for picture-taking. To avoid Joanna coercing her into the photos, Rory told him she’d meet him at the reception.
During the excessive picture-taking, Grant’s impatience stretched thin. He almost wished he had a cell phone so he could text Rory and make sure she wasn’t bored or feeling out of place among people she didn’t know.
When the photographer was finally done, he hurried to the reception hall, which was housed in a massive classical building with a vast staircase sweeping up to a columned porch. As he’d expected, his parents and Alice’s parents had spared no expense for the wedding reception.
The ballroom was like a palace with flowers everywhere—including vast bouquets suspended from the coffered ceiling—chairs decorated with immense gauzy bows, glittering china place settings, and a head table elevated on a carpeted dais. Guests mingled and wandered to and from the open bar as they waited for the sit-down dinner to be served.
When he saw that he and Rory were seated at a table of his father’s friends, he sent his brother a silent thank-you for ensuring they weren’t at thesingle womentable. After greeting the other guests and introducing Rory, he went to the bar to get them both drinks.
“Hello, Grant.”
Tension stiffened his spine. Vivian stepped into the space beside him, as lovely and elegant as ever in a blue gown that skimmed her slender figure. Her blond hair was twisted in a French knot, and diamonds glittered at her throat and ears.
“A glass of Merlot and an old-fashioned,” he told the bartender. “Hello, Vivian.”
“Alice told me you’d be here. It’s been a long time.”
“Yes, it has.” He waited to experience some emotion—anger, hurt, regret—but there was nothing. Not even sadness over what he’d thought he’d lost. He’d never even hadwhat he’d thoughtin the first place.
Vivian stepped forward, extending her arms. He gave her a perfunctory embrace, his nose filling with the smell of expensive perfume before he moved away from her.
“You look fantastic.” She smiled and patted his lapel. “It’s been far too long since you’ve been back. Believe me, I’ve taken notice.”
“It’s been awhile.” He let his gaze slide to the guests milling around the reception hall. “How have you been?”
“Just fine, thanks.” She moved her hand down his chest. “You look wonderful. All that cooking and whatnot clearly agrees with you.”
He backed up another step to try and politely get her to stop touching him. She stepped forward, her hand now inside his jacket.
“Where’s your boyfriend, Vivian?” He pushed her hand away from him.
“You mean Jordy? That didn’t last. I told you I was sorry.”
“Obviously that didn’t make a difference.”
“So when are you moving back to civilization, Grant?” She lifted her eyebrows in inquiry. “I miss seeing you around. Daddy has season tickets to both the opera and the Giants, you know. We could have a lot of fun again.”
“Oh,thereyou are!” Rory’s voice rose above the chatter and noise as she approached.
“Rory.” Relieved, Grant grabbed her arm and hauled her closer. “Meet Vivian, an old friend of the family.”
“Well, notold.” Vivian gave him an arch smile, her eyes frosting over as she looked at Rory. “And you are?”
“Vivian, this is my girlfriend Rory.” To emphasize the point—Vivian had never been good at taking a hint—he wrapped his arm around Rory’s waist and pulled her against him.
“Girlfriend.” Vivian’s smile remained fixed in place, though her eyes darkened. “Last I heard, Grant Taylor had sworn off girlfriends. To say nothing offiancées.”
Grant’s shoulders tensed. “Sounds like you heard wrong.”
