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We lounged on the beach yesterday until we had to get ready for the rehearsal dinner, and Aidan smiled through all of it.
Me, on the other hand? I’m a bundle of nerves.
Part of it is that Parker is even more gorgeous than I pictured—perfect hair, perfect skin, perfect smile—and it’s intimidating to know she’s the only other girlfriend Aidan has had. The rest is that despite Aidan’s troubled relationship with his family, I want them to like me. I’d only met his parents once before this weekend,when Aidan graduated in May. It went okay, but it was also awkward.
I’m used to being the girl parents love—studious and reliable. A positive influence. Yet I’m totally out of my depth in Aidan’s world. Or his parents’ world, rather. I’m positive Aidan doesn’t care about any of the things his mom talked my ear off about last night, but she obviously does. And I barely followed any of it.
His whistle, long and low, is what jerks me out of my stress spiral.
This is the first time Aidan has seen the dress I bought for the wedding. It was the most money I’ve ever spent on an outfit before, and worth every penny to see the look on Aidan’s face. The saleswoman told me it was giving Hollywood starlet, which seemed appropriate for the occasion. It’s glitzy and glamorous and low-cut, the detail that Aidan is most focused on. It’s like he’s never seen my boobs before.
“You look…” He exhales. “Wow. There aren’t words, Rye.”
“What a compliment,” I drawl.
I’m mostly teasing him to alleviate my own nerves. The look on his face is already inflating my ego.
“You want compliments?” He stalks closer, toying with the strap on my left shoulder currently holding half the dress up.
I bat his hand away. “You said we were going to be late.”
“I don’t give a shit. They can wait.”
“So can you. We had sex last night.”
I grab my clutch off the dresser, then head for the door. After a lot of grumbling, Aidan follows behind.
“Last night was a long time ago,” he tells me as we walk down the hallway.
I roll my eyes but don’t respond otherwise. A few seconds later, I’m tugged to a stop so abrupt, I almost fall in my heels. Atleast I know Aidan has excellent reflexes and will probably catch me.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, his green gaze searching.
“I’m…nervous,” I admit.
His eyebrows knit together. “You don’t have anything to be nervous about.”
“We’re going to your brother’s wedding to your ex-girlfriend, which your entire family is attending. This is different from the barbecue at my parents’, Aidan.”
He winces, rubbing the back of his neck. “Your dad was my coach? So that was weird?”
I scoff. “Nice try. This is more awkward, and you know it.”
“I know. If you want to skip it, you can stay in the room. Order room service, go down to the spa.”
As tempting as that sounds, I shake my head. “I’m good. Let’s go.”
He studies my expression, nods, then grabs my hand and pulls me toward the elevator.
The ceremony itself is a blur. It’s held out on a terrace, with the dazzling backdrop of the aquamarine Pacific behind. Then all the guests migrate into a ballroom where the reception is being held.
Uniformed waiters start moving through the crowd, passing out appetizers and glasses of champagne.
I help myself to both as I people watch, waiting for Aidan to appear. He got pulled into photos with his family, and he’s literally the only person I know here. Eating and drinking gives me something to do, at least.
“Hi. I’m Parker.”
I turn to face the blonde woman, trying to mask mysurprise. I force a smile, swiping a napkin across my lower lip to make sure I caught any crumbs. I have no idea what half of the hors d’oeuvres are, but everything I’ve sampled has been delicious.
