Page 25 of Rafferty

I scan the crowd, everyone so fully invested in this couple’s happiness, that I can feel the vibe of love.

And then my eyes land on Tansy, standing diagonally across the room from me. She’s not looking at Stone and Harlow at all, instead focused on Tempe. I don’t like the mixture of irritation and cold calculation on her face, and I can almost see the inner wheels of her brain spinning.

I look away before she feels my eyes on her and concentrate on the ceremony. The officiant speaks briefly about love and commitment before turning the floor over to the couple for their vows.

Stone clears his throat, his eyes never leaving his soon-to-be wife. His vows ring out loud and confident in the massive hall. “Harlow, I think back to when we first met and how distrustful I was of you, and well… of life. My world was dark, having lost Brooks, and I couldn’t fathom leaving the shadows. But from the start, you challenged me to be a better man. You continually inspire me, and you love me unconditionally. Today, I promise to be your partner in all things, not just when it’s easy, but especially when it’s hard. I vow to make our family’s love and happiness my priority and to cherish every moment we have together. I know that Brooks is watching. I can feel him here with us and I can’t imagine anything that would make him happier than knowing you’ll be by my side forever.”

Harlow smiles, tears glimmering. Her mom passes her a tissue and she presses it to the corner of one eye before clearing her throat, her smile bright and joyous. “Stone, you are my rock, my safe place, and my greatest adventure. I vow to support your dreams because through them, your soul shines. I promise to laugh with you, cry with you, and grow with you, no matter what lies ahead. Together, we can face anything.”

Their vows strike a chord in me, resonating with a depth of emotion that makes me glance again at Tempe. She’s watching them, her eyes misty, a soft smile playing on her lips. The sincerity in their words, the openness of their promises, makes me wonder about the possibilities of something real—something more than a charade.

And I’m not sure why. What is it about this woman that has me considering things that never crossed my mind? Is it the magical setting of this wedding, or is it simply that Tempe is unlike anyone I’ve ever known? Maybe both?

As Stone and Harlow are pronounced husband and wife, the crowd erupts into applause. Tempe goes to her tiptoes, her breath warm against my ear. “That was beautiful,” she murmurs.

“It was,” I agree, the moment wrapping around us, drawing us closer. It feels right, being here with her, and for a fleeting second, I forget that we’re here under false pretenses. It’s a feeling that I like so much, I don’t intend to let go of it throughout the rest of the evening. I realize that tonight might just be such a good act, Tansy will become a distant memory, and that means, so too might Tempe.

I’m going to make the most of this fake wedding date.

♦

The reception isin the special events hall and the adjoining Tropical Conservatory, both of which have been transformed into a winter wonderland. The ceiling is covered with cascading strings of crystal-clear lights that mimic a gentle snowfall, made even more beautiful by the fact that it’s actually snowing outside. Looking past the lights, you can see the glow of real flakes swirling outside the glass-paned ceiling, and it’s utterly magical. At the center of the room is an extravagant crystal chandelier from which hang hundreds of hand-blown glass ornaments that dangle like icicles.

Lush garlands of scented greenery interspersed with holly berries and mistletoe hang from every nook, cranny and corner of the room, and in the center is a massive twenty-foot Christmas tree, lavishly decorated in gold, silver and white.

In the adjoining Tropical Conservatory, the natural greenery is enhanced with subtle holiday decorations that complement rather than compete with the exotic plants. Small, delicate fairy lights twinkle from within the foliage, and pathways are lined with softly glowing lanterns, leading guests through a magical, tropical setting. Tables are set with white linens and a centerpiece of frosted pine cones, crystal icicles and orchids that seem to bloom from a bed of sparkling snow.

There’s no assigned seating and the elegant food is served buffet style, which is fortunate for my band of merry co-conspirators. We perfectly fit at a table of eight, nabbing flutes of champagne from passing waiters.

The clink of glasses and the murmur of laughter surround us, but now the real test begins—surviving the reception with Tansy lurking somewhere nearby. I glance around, ensuring she isn’t making a beeline for us yet.

“So, that was quite the ceremony, huh?” I start, trying to keep the mood light. Tempe nods, her eyes bright, still captivated by the ambiance of this place transformed into a winter wonderland.

“It was beautiful,” she agrees before sipping her champagne. “Harlow looks amazing.”

“Yeah, those vows were something else,” Atlas chimes in, shaking his head with a wry smile. “Makes a guy reconsider the whole marriage gig.”

King, sitting next to his girlfriend Willa, laughs. “You? Married? I’ll believe it when I see it, dude.”

Willa rests her chin in the palm of her hand. “It was a fairy-tale ceremony. Every girl’s dream.”

King brushes hair back from her face. “Your dream?”

“Maybe once upon a time but I think I’m over that now.”

I assume Willa’s referencing the fact she was married to a real douchebag before. Still, I know King would give her whatever type of wedding she wanted and I have no doubt that’s where they’re headed. He fell hard for Willa and had to work to convince her to give him a chance. He’d offer her the world.

Foster raises his glass, a smirk playing on his lips. “To Stone and Harlow, may they have better luck than Rafferty avoiding crazy.”

Laughter bursts from the group, and even I can’t help but join in. It’s good to have friends who can make light of your miseries.

“Speaking of, has anyone seen Tansy yet?” Mazzy asks, scanning the crowd. “I thought she’d have crashed this table by now.”

“I saw her during the ceremony,” I say with distaste. “She was staring daggers at Tempe.”

“I noticed it too,” Tempe says, and I’m surprised by that. She seems completely unfazed though, and she nods off to the left. We all look that way and I spot Tansy across the room, who is, in fact, right now staring at us.

“Great,” I mutter, and then twist in my chair to face Tempe. “This was a bad idea. I don’t like that her attention is on you.”

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