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Mateo held up his glass, already filled with a dark wine. “I’ll drink to that!”
“Same.” Javier tapped his cousin’s glass.
“White or red?” The server held two bottles in front of Ariana for her consideration. Both bottles showed dates over forty years old.
“I’ll have some white, please.”
“Why?” Mateo asked. “Are you racist?”
Ariana stared at him in disbelief. “It’swine.”
“And it’s just ajoke.” Mateo burst out laughing, and Javier joined in.
Rita nudged Grayson, and she mouthed an apology to Ariana.
“Stop being idiots.” Grayson glared at his cousins. “I can pick other groomsmen, you know. There are plenty of people who’d be happy to take your places.”
Mateo snorted. “But youwon’t.”
He and Javier laughed again.
Ariana exchanged a dumbfounded look with Maya and Olivia. Were those two guys for real? Javier had always seemed nice at the restaurant, but maybe that was all an act to keep his job. Or maybe his cousin brought out the worst in him.
Either way, she wasn’t going to give them another moment of her attention. They could act like immature preteens if they wanted, but she was going to focus on making Rita’s weekend the best it could be. That was her job as Rita’s best friend and maid of honor.
Grayson cleared his throat, pulling Ariana from her thoughts. He held up his glass. “Rita and I want to thank all of you for being part of our special day. As you probably know, some people think this whole thing has happened too fast. Certain parents in particular, so we especially appreciate your support.”
Rita leaned against him. “We aren’t going to deny how quickly everything has moved, but when you find something as special as what we have, why wait?”
Emerson lifted his glass. “It’s true. I’ve seen you together, and more importantly, I’ve seen how my niece and nephews have taken to the relationship. What you two have is genuine and real. Don’t let what anyone says get to you. You two have trust, and it’s beautiful. If you don’t have trust, what do you have?”
Everyone spoke their agreement, even the two jokers.
Emerson lifted his glass higher. “To Grayson and Rita!”
“To Grayson and Rita!” Everybody tapped their glasses and sipped their drinks.
As they enjoyed the wine and cider, the bride and groom went over the details of the weekend, including instructions for each member of the wedding party. Ariana had already heard most of it and knew what Rita wanted her help with, but it was always good to have a refresher. And now that she was actually on site, it helped her to picture the events all the better.
Then Rita and Grayson thanked each person individually, telling them how much they meant to them.
Rita walked around the table and hugged Ariana. “It feels like I’ve known you forever because we’ve been through so much. You had a big hand in me surviving my kidnapping, and I’ll never be able to forget that. I don’t know what I’d do without you. You were an easy choice for maid of honor.”
Ari’s vision blurred with tears. “I can’t imagine my life without you either.”
Rita hugged Olivia and Maya, thanking them for being such good friends through her recent life transitions.
After she sat, Grayson shared similar sentiments with his half of the wedding party.
Ariana listened with interest to see what he’d have to say about Javier and Mateo. From the sounds of it, they’d grown up together and had spent their summers and other holidays at some beach house. Apparently that was what had cemented their relationships. It made her wonder if Grayson had once been as immature as his cousins were acting. If so, he appeared to have grown up.
Rita pointed out the time. “We better get going. All the guests are going to be gathering for dinner, and I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.”
Grayson rose then helped her up.
Mateo nudged Javier.
Javier leaped out of his seat. “Wait! I have something to say. It’s important.”
