The dining area was buzzing with warmth, the clink of silverware and soft laughter filling the air. Aeri and I sat close, our chairs angled toward each other, the earlier tension between us softened by the easy rhythm of the reception. Behind us, the newlyweds, Sara and Daniel, stood side by side.
"Sara..." Aeri said, her voice soft and full of warmth as she looked at her best friend. Her smile was so genuine it lit up her whole face.
She stood up, smoothing out her dress, and reached out to shake Daniel’s hand. "Congratulations on your marriage, you two. Seriously, it’s beautiful."
Daniel grinned, his handshake firm but friendly. "Thank you so much, Aeri," he said, his voice warm. "Means a lot to hear that from you."
I stood up too, extending my hand to Daniel. "Congratulations." I said, giving him a quick, solid shake.
"Thanks, Ezra," Daniel said, his smile easy as he clapped me on the shoulder. "Appreciate you being here."
Sara, her white dress shimmering under the soft lights, stepped closer, her hands on her hips. "Man, I’m starving," she said, her voice light but carrying that carefree energy everyone loved about her. She glanced at Daniel, her eyes sparkling. "Babe, let’s just sit here and eat. No need to go anywhere else."
Daniel laughed, pulling out a chair for her. "As you say, princess," he said, his tone playful but full of affection.
He sat down beside her, their chairs close enough that their shoulders touched.
The guests around us glanced over, some smiling at how relaxed Sara was, plopping down at our table like it was just another night out. Her dress fanned out around her, the delicate lace catching the light, but she didn’t seem to care about keeping up appearances. That was Sara—unapologetically herself, and everyone knew it.
A couple of waiters hurried over, their black vests crisp as they set the table properly, laying out fresh plates, polished silverware, and a small vase of roses to match the others. They brought out steaming plates of food—more of that amazing steak, roasted veggies, and a basket of warm dinner rolls that smelled like heaven.
The four of us settled in, eating together like old friends. The chatter around us faded into the background, and it felt like our own little bubble.
Daniel cut into his steak, grinning as he looked around the table. "This reminds me of last week," he said, his voice warm with nostalgia. "When we all met up at that restaurant downtown. Just the four of us, sitting , stuffing our faces."
Aeri laughed, nodding as she reached for a roll. "Oh yeah, I remember that," she said.
Sara leaned back in her chair. "But seriously, we gotta do this more often. These dinners, just us."
Aeri’s eyes bright. "Let’s make it a thing. Dinner every once a month, no matter what."
Daniel glanced at Sara, a playful smirk on his face. "Oh, we’ll definitely be doing this. As if Sara would let me live if I didn’t invite you guys over regularly."
Sara gasped, pretending to be offended, then burst out laughing. "Ehehe, you know me too well already," she said, wrapping her arms around Daniel in a quick, tight hug. She planted a kiss on his cheek, leaving a faint smudge of her lipstick. "You’re stuck with me and my friends now, babe."
Aeri clasped her hands together, her smile wide and warm. "Aww, you guys are so cute," she said, her voice practically dripping with affection. "Look at you, all married and adorable."
I took a sip of my wine, my eyes drifted to Sara. I didn’t mean to stare, but I couldn’t help it. Her bright eyes sparkled in the candlelight, her short dark hair framing her face in soft waves. The neckline of her wedding dress dipped low, showing off her bare shoulders and that cleavage, the fabric hugging her boobs. The moment stretched, my gaze lingering longer than it should have, caught up in how radiant she looked, how alive. Her bright eyes sparkled, and for a moment, I got lost in them, the noise of the room fading away.
*Thap.* A sharp bump against my shoulder jolted me back to reality.
"Ezra..." Aeri whispered, her voice low and pointed, meant just for me. I turned to her, and her face was a mix of emotions—her cheeks were slightly pink, but her lips were pursed in a pout, her eyes narrowing like she was annoyed and trying not to laugh at the same time.
I cleared my throat, sitting up straighter and grabbing my fork to stab at a piece of steak. "*Ahem*," I coughed, trying to play it off, my face heating up as I focused on my plate. "Just, uh, really into these potatoes," I mumbled, shoving a bite in my mouth.
Aeri raised an eyebrow, her pout softening into a small sighh.
Across the table, Sara’s gaze flicked to me, and I could feel her eyes on me now, quiet and steady. There was something in her look—her eyes seemed to sparkle even more, like they were holding onto some secret thought. She didn’t look away, and for a second, it felt like the air between us crackled.
"Everything okay, Sara?" Daniel asked, his voice gentle as he glanced at her, his fork paused halfway to his mouth.
Sara blinked, snapping out of whatever trance she’d been in. "Yes, yes, all good," she said quickly, flashing an awkward smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her cheeks a little pink now.
Daniel grinned, oblivious to the moment. "Here, try this," he said, scooping a bit of mashed potatoes mixed with gravy onto his spoon. He held it out to her, his expression soft and playful. "Open wide, Mrs. Sara."
Sara’s face flushed deeper, but she laughed, leaning forward to take the bite from his spoon.
Her lips closed around it, and she chewed, her eyes crinkling with a mix of embarrassment and happiness. "You’re ridiculous," she said, swallowing and nudging his arm, but her smile was wide.
"Ohhh!" A quiet cheer rippled through the nearby tables, a few guests clapping and grinning at the sight of Daniel feeding his new bride. "Way to go, Daniel!" one of Sara’s friends called out, raising her wine glass.