Page 3 of The Very First Night

Scanning the mirror, I find my name spelled out in a sprawling script under the table number.

Table Twelve

Aaron Ernest

Regina Armacost

Elijah Hanas

Evelyn Celeste

Jeffrey Brough

Brendan Wallace

Katarina Marritt

Tanner Adler

A sense of relief sets in as I see that Tanner has opted to go solo to the wedding as well. It’s not necessarily a surprise—he has never been big on dating. However, that relief quickly washes away as I notice Elijah is also at my table. It is to be expected, but it doesn’t make it any less awkward.

“Hey, Kat!” Tanner saunters over to my side, a sly grin on his lips and mischief sparkling in his big green eyes. While most of the men in attendance have opted for a black or navy suit, he has never been one for the conventional. His camel-colored tailored suit brings out the warmth in his brown hair, the color a near-perfect match, his hair just a shade darker.

“Hey, Tanner!”

“I see we’re both stag tonight. Be my date?” he asks, leaning in with a cheeky wink.

I can’t help but smile at his playfulness, my gaze catching the sprinkle of freckles across his nose and cheeks. Despite being a notorious flirt, Tanner has always been harmless and charming, with a boy-next-door appeal.

“Fine, but you’re not getting lucky,” I chuckle, and playfully bump into him with my hip.

He lets out an exaggerated groan in response. “Feelings, Kat. I have feelings. You’ve wounded my heart,” he jokes, placing a hand over his chest in mock despair.

“Something tells me you’ll get over it, my sweet, sweet Tanner.” I teasingly pinch his chin between my fingers, earning an infectious grin from Tanner. He towers over me, his tall frame somehow making him seem both intimidating and approachable at the same time. His grin widens and I can’t help but smile back, feeling a sense of comfort and familiarity with him.

Tanner extends his elbow toward me, encouraging me to loop my hand through. I follow his lead as we move toward our table arm in arm.

A menagerie of vases consumes the center of the table, ranging from two inches to two feet tall. Each cylinder houses water and a floating tea light, the flame flickering off of the large, ornate gold pedestal vase in the center that overflows with pink and white roses with greenery mixed in. Each place setting has a clear charger plate with gold beading detail along the edges, adding an elegant touch to the tablescape. The table number card is propped within the roses, the calligraphy a shade of gold matching the vase.

“Milady.” Tanner exaggeratedly pulls my chair away from the table, bowing down as he steps backward.

“Milord,” I laugh as I take my seat, Tanner pushing the chair in behind me.

The rest of the table is empty, but quickly begins to fill as Brendan and Jeff approach, followed by Aaron and Regina. Aaron and Regina have been together since our junior year of college, but Brendan and Jeff didn’t meet until last year. While we’ve known Brendan since undergrad, Jeff went to Ohio State.

Comfortable conversation sets in as everyone explains what has been going on in our respective lives. Aaron and Regina live here in Cleveland and are getting married in three months. I’m a bit surprised they haven’t already gotten married, if we’re being honest, but they were waiting until they bought a house. They’ve always been the most responsible of the group.

Brendan and Jeff recently moved to Columbus and live only about a half hour from me. I see them every so often and have grown to really love Jeff. He’s good for Brendan; he grounds him. The mellow guy we see today is nothing compared to the oftentimes chaotic party boy we knew in college. It’s amazing what the right person can do to level someone out.

Elijah and Evelyn approach and my breath catches in my throat.

His wavy dark brown hair has been styled impeccably and not a single strand is out of place. His tan olive complexion glows as the light of the sunset shimmers through the windows. Standing just over six feet tall, he towers over Evelyn, which is only more obvious as she leans into his side. Her long blonde hair falls fluidly across his lapel, the highlights so subtle I wonder if they might just be from the sun. Her blue eyes are reminiscent of my own, but they somehow look more natural on her.

I’ve met her a handful of times, but I know very little about her. Her grandfather was the Governor of Ohio in the late eighties, so she’s a pretty buttoned-up person. I wouldn’t be surprised if I learned that is how she’s been since birth—groomed for a life in the political spotlight.

“Hello,” Evelyn greets the table as she sits down, Elijah pushing her chair in behind her so she is snug with the table.

A cluster of greetings rings from around the table as everyone says hello to Evelyn and Elijah, but it isn’t until he is seated that he says anything. He’s awkward, more awkward than normal. He can be flustered when he’s uncomfortable, but most of the time he’s pretty even-keeled.

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