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“You two are so sweet together,” Aria said.
“It’s still new. That honeymoon stage.”
“I don’t know about that. But I think it’s great that you were friends first and then got together. It’s so romantic.”
The musician for the ceremony and reception, Finn Evans, stopped in front of us. “What’s romantic?”
Aria nodded toward me. “That Harrison and Everly were friends before they got together.”
“Is that all it takes for you?” Finn rested back on his heels.
Aria smiled at him, not deterred by his cynicism. “I think it’s romantic—how a couple meets, the way they slowly or quickly fall for each other. That moment when they realize they’ve met the one. I love all of it.”
Finn tipped his head to the side, considering her. “You read romance novels?”
Aria nodded, her cheeks slightly flushed. “I love them. They remind me anything’s possible.”
Finn adjusted his hands on the guitar case. “So, what? You think Prince Charming is just around the corner?”
My stomach dipped at his tone. It was clear that Finn was a pessimist and Aria was a romantic.
Aria smiled softly. “I wouldn’t call him Prince Charming.”
Finn set the guitar case on the grass and made air quotes with his fingers. “The right one?”
Aria’s face pinched. “Don’t make fun of me because I’m a positive person.”
Finn shook his head. “I’m not making fun of you. I’m just trying to understand.”
Curious about where he was coming from, I asked, “You play music at weddings. Don’t you believe in them?”
He chuckled humorously. “I believe the divorce rate is over fifty percent. Or is it eighty? I can’t keep up.”
Aria shook her head. “That’s one way to look at it.”
“Hey, weddings keep us in business.”
“That’s gross,” Aria said, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
I felt a kinship with Finn. “I feel the same way. I’m not sure I believe in all of this.”
“A woman not longing for her own wedding?” Finn asked.
Too late I realized I was supposed to be in love and soon-to-be engaged. Shrugging, I said, “I don’t need the big party.”
Finn’s brow furrowed. “Are you sure Harrison knows that? He loves this too.”
“Yeah, he knows.” My heart raced. Pretending to be in a relationship was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. Especially since I didn’t believe in them.
Finn regarded me for a few seconds before saying, “I’d better set up.”
“Let me get you a chair,” Aria said, switching into planner mode.
I headed to the barn to help Harrison set up in there. He was quick and efficient, polite to those around them but not wasting any time. He was good at his job. And I loved him even more for believing in what he did. It made him more appealing somehow. Even if I didn’t agree with him.
Harrison left before the ceremony itself. I stuck around to make sure everything went smoothly. Aria and Ireland were the ones in charge of this one. It was a test of sorts to see if they could handle more weddings on their own.
This couple insisted on setting up the dance floor outside the open doors of the barn. Twinkling lights hung over the space, adding to the ambiance. Their guests were a lively bunch, dancing most of the night.
