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Rylee discreetly positioned herself near the bride and groom as they made their way to an undisclosed entrance.
The guests were making their way to the main entrance, where signs and helpful staff members pointed them toward the reception area. Rylee had checked the room again this morning to ensure nothing had hopped up and run off in the middle of the night. She’d been pleased to find that everything was exactly as she’d left it, but with the addition of fresh flowers from Corynna and her assistant, Hannah.
The blueish purple buds of the blue bonnet were beautifully complemented by the crisp cream tablecloths and shimmering gold accents—including the gold cutlery, a complete set.
The outdoor ceremony had been lovely, and they’d been spared too much heat thanks to clouds blotting out sun. Along with the near-perfect weather, a gorgeous backdrop of mountains and the field of thick, green grass, Ariana was stunning in her bridal gown. On the hanger had been one thing, but seeing the bride in her dress for the first time had been a whole other experience.
Ari, her cropped hair styled and her jewelry understated, had floated down the aisle. The white dress dipped in to accent her trim waist and flared out at the hips. Blue bonnet flowers had been sewn into the skirt but managed not to distract from the bride herself. When Xavier saw her for the first time, Rylee could practically hear him swallowing past the lump in his throat.
Once Ari had reached the end of the aisle and her father had taken his seat, Ari and Xavier hadn’t broken eye contact. Even when the officiant addressed them directly, the bride and groom had spoken only to each other.
Ariana Ramos and Xavier Noble had recited their vows. The kiss was the best part of any wedding ceremony, hands down. Rylee had dabbed at her eyes with a tissue, accustomed to choking up during that tender moment. And then the moment had been upstaged by a very young man in a very expensive tux.
The ring bearer had taken it upon himself to leapfrog up the aisle preceding Ari and Ex when they were introduced for the first time as husband and wife. The boy’s mother intercepted him and wrestled with the croaking, leaping child. Before Rylee could panic over the ceremony being ruined by the unexpected display, Ari and Ex had thrown their heads back and laughed.
Their reaction had been contagious and had spread to the guests and even the officiant. Rylee had joined them, the stress of the last few months melting away. She’d laughed so hard, she’d snorted, which had made her laugh even harder. At that moment, she’d met eyes with Trick across the aisle, who had been laughing with her. For a prolonged moment, they’d simply stared at each other, grinning like loons.
And then the moment had been over. The guests had stood to follow the bride and groom off the lawn, and Rylee had circled behind the crowd so that she could greet Ari and Ex inside.
She held the door open for Ariana now. Xavier helped his wife with her dress, leaving room for the short train. He made a comment about how the “kid could have thrown in a ribbit or two in order to sound authentic” which made Ari and Rylee giggle over the incident again.
“I guess I’m unable to plan for every possibility,” Rylee said.
“Well, it’s on video, so we’ll play it at his wedding and show him how it feels,” Ari said with another laugh. Her buoyant mood was permanent today. “How long until we are introduced?”
“At least ten minutes. We’ll give the guests some time to settle in.”
“Perfect. One of these gorgeous blue bonnets is tearing loose from my skirt. I know you have a sewing kit on hand.”
“I do.” Rylee reached into a pocket of her pale pink bag, an almost exact match for her dress.
Ari spun to face Ex. “Could you fetch me a glass of waterhusband? I am parched.”
“Sure thing,wife.” He said the word on a growl into Ari’s mouth and then pressed his lips to hers. Rylee busied herself unzipping the sewing kit, the intimate moment stinging more than it should have. Their intimacy reminded her of her own short-lived romance, which had been as unexpected as the ring bearer turning into a bullfrog.
Ex vanished down the hallway in search of water, and Ari rested one manicured hand over Rylee’s. Ari’s expression was pure concern. “Why are your blue eyes bluer than usual? What’s got you down?”
“I—what do you mean?” Rylee slapped on a broad smile. This was Ari’s day and Rylee refused to ruin it with her wayward emotions. “Everything is wonderful. Now show me where the threads have popped and I’ll do my best to repair them.”
“Are you kidding? This is Keely’s design. Not a thread on this dress would dare pop without her permission.” Ari rested her hands on her hips, looking like the in-charge, take-charge producer more than the demure bride minutes after she’d saidI do. “Talk to me.”
Rylee tucked the sewing kit back into her bag. “Your only concern is to go into that reception hall and be doted on by everyone. Don’t worry about me.”
“You’re my friend. I want you in that reception hall smiling, too.”
“I am smiling.”
“Like a robot.” Ari palmed one of Rylee’s arms. “Nothing can ruin this day for me. It’s unfolding as it was meant to. Now tell me why you’re upset. Is it Trick?”
Rylee debated lying, her mouth opening and closing and opening again before she said, “How did you know?”
“These two eyes.” Ari gestured to her face. “And Dee mentioned you two had hit it off. Talk about opposites attracting.”
Rylee forced out an explanation that would satisfy any friend. “We spent some time together. He’s a good person, but ultimately we weren’t cut out for forever. I wish him well, though. He’s so talented.”
As she waited for the lie to land, her smile faded. That BS would satisfy any friend, except, as it turned out, Ariana. Ari’s eyebrows craned upward in disbelief. “Really?”
Rylee dropped her shoulders. “Okay. The truth is—”
