I glanced at him. ‘My what?’
‘Wedding,’ Ashton said.
‘We’re already married,’ I said automatically.
‘Contractually,’ he murmured. ‘Not exactly what I meant.’
Yvaine stood. ‘Excuse me, I’m going to the ladies’.’
‘Need me to come with?’ I asked.
‘Nah.’ She smiled at Ashton. ‘You’ve got company.’
I followed her with my eyes.
She didn’t look upset, but she took a wide detour to avoid walking past Cassian’s table.
‘You’re quiet,’ Ashton said.
‘I’m watching the fallout of a terrible snap decision.’
I turned to face him properly.
His tie was still perfect.
He hadn’t loosened it.
His posture hadn’t changed since we sat down, spine straight, hands resting lightly on the tablecloth, eyes impossible to read.
Only his thumb moved, tracing a slow line against the side of his wine glass.
‘Why are you asking me about weddings?’ I asked.
‘We’re here, aren’t we? Such an occasion naturally brings that topic to mind. Seemed reasonable to check what you like.’
I blinked at him. ‘Are you trying to plan a hypothetical wedding with me?’
He tilted his head slightly, as if I were the one being obtuse. ‘What if, hypothetically, I said yes?’ The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the novel fire.net
‘You’re asking if I want a real wedding. With you.’
‘I’m asking what kind of wedding you’d find tolerable, should circumstances evolve.’
‘Circumstances like... us not faking it anymore?’
‘Something like that.’
‘Mirabelle!’ The bride appeared next to me, arm linked with her groom. ‘I have to come and say thank you! The necklace is...’ She touched her neck. ‘Simply divine.’
‘I’m glad you like it.’ I raised my glass and offered a toast.
The groom tried to engage Ashton in a conversation, and by the time the newlywed moved on, I’d lost track of my conversation with Ashton.
Cake had been sliced.
A few kids ran across the dance floor, dragging a satin ribbon between them like a leash.
Yvaine’s seat was empty.
Ten more minutes passed.
I leaned towards Ashton. ‘I’m going to look for Yvaine. She’s been gone too long.’
The hallway behind the ballroom smelled of lavender soap and floor polish.
A server carried a stack of plates past me.
I scanned the prep room, then poked my head into the bridal suite.
Rachel popped out of the dressing room with her heels in one hand and a granola bar in the other.
Her updo was collapsing.
‘Yvaine came through earlier,’ she said, chewing. ‘She didn’t stay long.’
Straight to voicemail.
I turned around and went back into the ballroom.
She wasn’t at the top table.
I kept checking the rest of the place, until I returned to the balcony where I’d run into Rhys earlier.
For some reason, it seemed to be a popular spot for private conversations.
Or, in this case, a private confrontation.
I turned the corner and spotted them both, Yvaine stiff as steel, Alexis standing in her way like a smug doorman.
It took me two seconds to figure out what was going on.
I walked straight over and stopped next to Yvaine.
My heels scuffed the edge of Alexis’s gown, which was an accident, but not one I regretted.
‘Let’s go,’ I said to my friend.
‘Miss Carlisle and I are not done talking,’ Alexis said.
‘Talking?’ I sniffed the air, which reeked of passive aggressive vibe. ‘Or threatening?’
Alexis gave me a dismissive once-over. ‘Fine. Yes, consider it a warning. I hope Yvaine’s smart enough not to screw with someone else’s marriage. She wouldn’t want to be called a homewrecker, would she?’
‘You and Cassian are married?’
‘Not yet, but it’s a done deal.’
‘Did Cassian know you were coming to do this?’
She smiled complacently. ‘No. He wouldn’t like it. And I don’t plan on telling him either. Unless you two want to run off and tattle?’
‘So you came here behind his back, hoping we’d just keep our mouths shut?’ I tilted my head. ‘You think we’re that fucking polite?’
Alexis just kept smiling. ‘Yvaine’s a Carlisle. I’d imagine she’s too well-bred to be sneaky.’
Yvaine snorted. ‘Says the woman who crept over here like a cockroach and started a fight she can’t finish. Who’s being sneaky?’
Alexis just shrugged.
Girls like her were the hardest to deal with, too polished to crack, too pleased with themselves to care.
I glanced at the far corner of the balcony and raised my voice just enough for it to carry.
‘I’m guessing Cassian never wanted to marry you in the first place. You and your precious family just wouldn’t let go. You’re insecure. That’s why you come here to warn Yvaine off.’
Alexis’s smile started peeling off her face in slow layers.
Still, she didn’t lash out.
‘Cassian’s best off with me. You really think he’d choose Yvaine Carlisle?’ she said calmly. ‘We’re announcing the engagement next week.’
Footsteps approached from behind her.
Cassian stepped into view.
His eyes scanned the three of us like he’d walked into a crime scene.
‘What the hell’s going on?’
Before Alexis could twist the narrative into another lie, I stepped in. ‘Miss Rivera chased Yvaine out here to warn her off you.’
Yvaine folded her arms and glared at her ex-boyfriend. ‘I’d love to know what gave Miss Rivera the impression I’ve been clinging to you. Maybe now’s a good time to clear that up?’
Cassian turned to Alexis, frowning hard. ‘Is that true?’
For a split second, she looked rattled. Then she reset, face softening like butter under a lamp.
‘I didn’t say anything like that. We were just chatting. I might’ve said something that came out wrong, but it wasn’t serious. You know how things can get misinterpreted. You believe me, don’t you?’
Alexis blinked sweetly, as if that settled it.
‘I didn’t mean any harm. They must’ve misunderstood.’
She stepped in and slid her arm around his.