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Wren hesitates for a second, but when Rhett gives her a reassuring nod, she takes a few bites. I’m glad she’s doing okay. It seems that her and Rhett fall into similar patterns when they’re stressed, so it’s a relief that she’s eating.
As Oliver lowers himself into the chair on the other side of Rhett, the DJ announces Aubrey and Ludo’s first dance. Wren groans and starts to eat faster. She’s able to finish a decent amount of the food before the DJ asks the bridal party to join them.
“Jesus, that was fast.” Wren takes a couple gulps of water, dabs at her mouth with a napkin, and then stands. “Ready?”
“Whenever you are, love.”
As we pass by Oliver, Wren leans down and whispers something in his ear. Whatever it is, it makes him sit with a little more confidence. He kisses her cheek and watches with a proud look on his face as Wren takes my hand.
“What was that about?” I ask as she wraps her arms around my neck. My hands rest on her hips as we match the pace of the other couples on the floor.
With a quick glance toward our table, Wren says, “I just told him a couple of the bridesmaids think his makeup is hot. Did he put it on by himself? Or did one of you make him?”
“He did it all on his own.” I spin her around. “Although I helped him get one of his bracelets on. Damn clasp was so tiny. But I didn’t have to tell him to change or anything like that.”
“Really?” she whispers as her eyes flare with hope.
“Yeah,” I say softly. “I’m happy for him. Proud, too.”
Wren nods in agreement before settling her head against my chest.
I dip my head down and keep my voice low as I say, “Ludo’s right-hand man has been watching us all evening. He’s keeping most of his focus on me and the guys, so you should be in the clear, but keep an eye out for him, okay?”
Her arms tighten around my neck. “Got it.”
I hate that I’m scaring her, but she needs to know. “If you see him following you, the plan is off, okay? You get the makeup bag and give it to Aubrey. Forget about the safe.”
“Ell—”
“We’ll keep him away from you.” My lips brush against her hairline. “But you need to look out for him in case we can’t.”
“I will.”
The song comes to an end too soon, and the dance finishes with Ludo kissing Aubrey with a level of sweetness that I didn’t know he was capable of.
“She’s probably fantasizing about stabbing him right now,” Wren whispers. “She told me that’s what she does any time she has to touch him because it puts a genuine smile on her face.”
“It’d put a genuine smile on mine, too,” I mutter.
“I should go be with the other bridesmaids,” Wren says reluctantly. “I’ll see you . . . after.”
After.
My chest tightens. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. And I’ll be okay. Promise.” She squeezes my hand before we head our separate ways.
Everyone dances to a couple more songs, and Oliver pulls me back onto the floor when one of his favorites comes on. I try to ignore my mounting anxiety. The plan is for Aubrey to ask Wren to grab her makeup bag after cake is served, and that should be soon.
Aubrey and Ludo have started making their rounds, and I notice that they spend extra time with the Stallard’s’ political connections. It’s exactly what I expected them to do.
As for Axel, he’s divided his attention between watching us and watching Ludo. He’s not being subtle, but I suppose he has no reason to be. He probably thinks the simple fact that we’re being watched will deter us from trying anything tonight.
When the cake is served, I force myself to take a few bites. Out of the habit of always searching for her when we’re in a room together, my eyes lock on Wren. She’s sitting at her table, surrounded by bridesmaids and laughing. When Aubrey gets up and makes her way down the table, Wren’s smile momentarily wavers. But just as quickly, it’s back in place, and she nods enthusiastically when Aubrey says something to her.
This is it.
None of us watch Wren as she exits the ballroom. It’d be far too obvious, and we can’t draw any extra attention to her. Instead, we focus on keeping our conversation light.
