Page 120 of After the Vows

Paisley checks the time. “They should be here any minute. Let’s get inside.”

The foyer is crowded with guests. I spot Sophia with Flynn and her brother Weston and join them.

“I can’t believe Chloe is the second one of us to fall in love and the first one to get married. My money was on Maya,” Sophia says.

Maya’s cheeks heat. “I’m not in a hurry to find love,” she whispers.

Weston smirks. “Because you’re waiting for a certain someone to come home.”

I elbow him. “Don’t embarrass her.”

He doesn’t get a chance to answer before Lucas and Chloe arrive and everyone cheers.

“Awesome. The couple is here. I’ve greeted them. Time to go find some company for the evening.” Weston wiggles his eyebrows before wandering off.

Sophia frowns. “I can’t believe my brother is such a man whore.”

Flynn kisses her cheek. “I’ll keep an eye on him.”

“Don’t forget you promised to drive home,” she shouts after him.

“I can drive you home if you drink too much,” I offer.

She narrows her eyes at me. “Aren’t you drinking?” I shake my head. “Why not?”

I can hardly tell her the real reason. I’ve barely acknowledged the truth myself. I shrug instead.

“Not feeling well.”

She frowns but doesn’t comment. My friends are used to my hypochondria. She threads her arm through my elbow. “Come on. We’ll get you some seltzer water.”

She leads me to the ballroom with Paisley and Maya following us.

“This is beyond romantic,” Maya says when we enter.

I smile as I look around. “Agree. I’m happy Chloe found happiness.”

Paisley nods. “Me too. She was very lonely.”

“She wasn’t lonely,” I insist. “She had us. What else could she need?”

Maya points to Chloe and Lucas standing with his parents. “Him. She needed him.”

Sophia sighs. “Since Chloe’s found love, there’s no one around to make fun of Maya’s romantic tendencies.”

Good. I’m glad. No one should make fun of Maya. She pretends it doesn’t bother her, but I know it does. How could it not after how her parents acted?

Paisley studies the seating chart. “Our table is over there.”

“Meet ya there. I’ll get the drinks.” Sophia skips off to the bar where Flynn happens to be.

“She’s going to be a while,” I mutter as I weave my way through the tables to ours. I read the nametags to find my spot. I scowl when I notice who’s seated next to me. “Why is Hudson invited?”

“He’s a client,” Paisley says.

“It’s a huge account.” As the financial wizard ofFive Fathoms Brewing, Maya is well aware of how big an account the resort is.

Which is why I pushed and pushed until Hudson agreed to give our beer a trial run. My stomach flutters. I may have pushed too hard.

---