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“Yeah?”
“This isn’t a work thing. So, no putting away tables and chairs.”
“Got it,” I said with a nod and a smile. I took the equipment to the nearby storage warehouse I rented and then returned to help out where I could until the reception ended and the Happily Ever Afters party began. At some point, I messaged Everly to ensure she got the message about the get-together since she wasn’t expected to assist at this wedding. I told her I was sending my mom to take Wren to her house so she could join me.
The catering company already took care of the leftover food and plates. Everyone pitched in to remove any remaining garbage while Finn tuned his guitar outside by the dance floor. Lights were strung from poles just outside the entrance to the barn, where dancing usually took place.
Abby and Nick, Lily and Jake, Sophie and Mark, Harper, Aria, Everly, and Gia were present. We arranged chairs around two tables pushed together.
Sophie placed slices of cake in front of us. “Remi graciously offered one layer for us to celebrate.”
“That was nice of her,” Gia said, and I could see her mind already whirring with the thought that she’d need to discount the final bill for the wedding to cover it.
“We’re all friends. If she wants to donate some of her cake to the staff, that doesn’t mean you need to compensate her,” Sophie said, pointing the tip of the cake knife she still held at Gia.
Gia’s face flushed. “I wasn’t thinking that.”
“Sure, you weren’t,” Sophie said wryly.
Maybe I could talk to the others about encouraging Gia to relax more and plan more evenings like this because it was the perfect fall night. And why shouldn’t we take advantage and utilize the beautiful venue for ourselves?
Gia stood with a champagne glass in her hand. “I know this is a little out of character for me—”
Gia broke off when a few of us chuckled.
“But I think it’s important that we celebrate the continued success of Happily Ever Afters. I—no,wewouldn’t be this successful without everyone’s help. I see this as a joint effort, not just my business.”
I raised my glass. “Here, here.”
Gia smiled. “So, here’s to more success, more fun, and lots of love.”
“Can’t get your happily ever after without it,” Lily said, leaning into Jake’s body as he kissed her.
Nick cupped Abby’s cheeks and kissed her. Sophie rested her head on Mark’s shoulders.
There was so much love between them, and I wanted that for myself.
“Enjoy what’s left of the bar, the cake, and whatever Finn’s willing to give us with his music.”
We clinked glasses, drank, and dug into the cake.
Finn played a few popular songs, and one by one, the couples got up to dance. I held my hand out to Everly. “Will you dance with me?”
“Of course.” She smiled softly as I held her in my arms. “It’s the perfect night.”
“This was a great idea.” I wondered if anything I said prompted Gia to hold the impromptu party. I hoped so, but at the same time, I felt guilty for taking Silas’s call but I needed to grow my business, and if Silas had a good offer, I wouldn’t be able to refuse.
We danced for a few songs, content to be in each other’s arms, enjoying the light breeze and the notes of the guitar. I felt lucky to be involved with all these people in both business and friendship.
Everly squeezed my hand. “Look at that.”
I followed her gaze to find Aria standing in front of Finn. Whatever she said, he shook his head no before returning his attention to his guitar.
“I wonder if she asked him to dance.”
“She’s a romantic, that one.”
“They got into it about that earlier. Aria believes in love and weddings, and Finn doesn’t. It was a little tense.”
