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It’s so easy for all of them. I glance around, taking in the sight of so many familiar faces. A couple of them snicker when they think I don’t see, including my cousin, Paul. I guess Caroline’s fiancé didn’t care to have him in the bridal party. I can imagine why. He’s always been the biggest jerk.
Thankfully, the ceremony is over quickly. “I was hoping there would be at least one person standing up to dispute the marriage,” Talon mutters on our way out. I can’t help but laugh. He seems to get it, like this is more than just a job. I’m not going to fool myself into thinking he actually cares, of course. I’m just grateful he’s a nice person, and I feel bad for misjudging him when we first met.
The reception is taking place down the road, and along the way, I give him the rundown of who we’ll be seated with. “My parents, of course. My aunt and uncle, who we met before the ceremony. My other aunt, Mary. And my cousin, Paul.”
“You don’t like him, do you?”
I look at him in surprise. “How could you tell?”
“The way your voice changed a little. Like you were angry.” My surprise only grows at his answer. He is so perceptive, and I can’t help wondering if he’s like this all the time or just with me.
“When we were little kids, he stuck me in a toy chest and sat on the lid so I couldn’t get out. I had nightmares for weeks and still get freaked out sometimes in small spaces.” I can’t believe I’m sharing something so personal with him.
“What a little prick.”
“Let’s face it. I don’t like anybody in my family because they don’t like me. They never did.” I have to laugh at myself, more than a little embarrassed. “I’m sure that sounds so immature. I promise I’m not usually like this.”
“You’re not immature. You’re human. What, do you think I can’t see things for myself? I’m surprised you would even bother going to this wedding, the way they treat you.”
It’s like he sees me. So few people ever have.Watch it, you. Don’t go swooning over basic decency.I need to be careful with this guy. It would be way too easy to let myself get the wrong idea about his kindness. And I can’t pretend he doesn’t look good enough to eat in his gray suit and sky-blue tie, which almost matches my dress. If I didn’t know better, I would think he coordinated with me.
It would be way too easy to develop a crush. I have to settle for knowing how impressed everybody will be to see us together.
And they are—but, of course, none of them can bother to be gracious about it when we find our table in the ballroom. Paul is already standing behind a chair with his suit jacket hung over the back, talking to Aunt Mary. He lifts his glass, smirking a little when we approach. “So Ainsley finally found a guy willing to be seen in public with her. This is a day for celebration.”
As usual, outrage swells in my chest, dangerously close to my heart. But if I let myself take anything he says seriously, I’d be in pretty sorry shape. He’s been doing this to me my entire life.
He has not, however, dealt with Talon. “That’s pretty big talk for somebody who doesn’t have a date with him,” he points out. The smile he wears could easily be mistaken for a snarl.
“Hey, it’s all in good fun. Ainsley knows that by now, don’t you?” The worst part is he actually believes that. Like I should be able to take it on the chin because he’s been treating me like this since he was old enough to talk.
“Talon, this is my cousin, Paul, and my aunt Mary.” I lean down to kiss her on the cheek, which she returns without her gaze ever veering away from my date.
“Tell me,” she says once I straighten back up. “If your date understood the dress code, how is it you became so confused? This isn’t a black-tie event. And you know Michael’s father does business with yours. How do you think this makes the family look?”
“I doubt Caroline’s in-laws care one way or another,” I murmur, though I can’t help but look across the room to where that side of the guest list is congregating.
“You know he can’t afford any negative talk in his line of business.”
“Tell me, ma’am.” Talon’s tone is respectful as he speaks up behind me. “Exactly how does Ainsley wearing a pretty gown affect a lawyer’s business?”
She sputters, blinking rapidly, then very deliberately turns back to Paul. We’ve been dismissed. Normally, that would bother me, but all I can feel right now is satisfied.
I turn to Talon, still a bit stunned. “How do you know my father’s a lawyer?”
“What, you think I show up unprepared?” he murmurs, careful to be sure nobody’s listening. “I like to know my client and anybody else who might be involved.”
“What else do you know about me?”
I expect him to make a joke, but he couldn’t look more serious. “I know you’re better than what these people put you through.” When he looks me in the eye, I can almost believe that.
“Ainsley.” Suddenly, Mom is here, grabbing me by the arm and pulling me aside. Maybe not a bad thing since I was dangerously close to swooning. “Honestly, could you not at least sit down to hide that ridiculous gown? Do you ever get tired of being the center of attention?”
“You know I hate attention.”
“Excuse me if I find that difficult to believe when you put yourself on display like this. And you know you don’t have the sort of upper body required for a sleeveless gown. Have you done a minute of weight training in your entire life?”
She nods, looking across the room to where Caroline and Michael are having professional pictures taken. “Do you think your cousin would be caught dead in a dress like that if she didn’t already have her upper body toned?”
