Page 4 of Our Little Wedding

He stepped into the kitchen carrying a suit bag. He made his way over to me, put his arm around me, and kissed the side of my neck.

“Hey,” I said, meeting his lips. “See that you picked up your suit from the cleaner. I meant to do that right after I left the office today, but Carly called, and I forgot.” I shrugged.

“Don’t worry about it, but no, this isn’t my suit. I made a stop after work. This is for you.” He held up the suit bag and lowered the zipper. It shocked me to see the champagne-coloured dress I wished I’d bought when I’d tried it on at a little boutique outside of town last weekend. I’d wanted it for our engagement party, but after seeing the price, I had decided against it.

“What is this?” I questioned. “Tell me you didn’t,” I cried with excitement as I removed the bag from the hanger.

“I did.” He grinned. “You looked…mmm…well, it’s not suitable to say how you looked in it the other day in front of a guest,” he said, leaning in a biting my earlobe.

“Oh God, save me,” Carly said, sticking her finger down her throat and pretending to gag.

“Not in front of little eyes,” I whispered as Nikki stood before us, holding her empty bowl.

I smiled as I took the dress from Spencer, while he took the bowl from Nikki, wiping her mouth with a paper towel before he picked her up and threw her in the air. “How’s my baby girl?”

Nikki let out a squeal, followed by a laugh as Spencer held her up over his head. “Put me down, Daddy,” she squealed.

Spencer put her down and watched as she ran off into the other room. He walked over to the table and sorted through the pile of mail I’d left there.

“Oh, and we got a couple more RSVPs in the mail today for the engagement party,” I said, showing Carly the dress.

“Was one of them from my brother, Max?”

I shook my head. “No, have not heard from him yet. I can call him tomorrow if you’d like? Today was the last day to respond.”

“I’ll take care of Max. I’ve got to call him tonight about work,” he said, leaning in and kissing me before he made his way down the hall to his office.

I smiled as I looked at Carly, excitement filling me as I looked at the dress. “Come, let’s try this one on.”

“I sure hope this dress hangs better.” Carly giggled, following behind me.

Spencer

“Spencer Brooks is getting remarried. Never thought I’d live to see the day,” my older brother, Mike, said as Ainsley and I approached him and his wife, Trina.

“Hey, Trina, Mike. Enjoying yourselves?”

“Yes, everything is wonderful. The food is fantastic, and these little appetizers are amazing,” Trina said, holding up one of my favourites, Cranberry Pecan Goat Cheese Truffles. “You did a fantastic job organizing everything, Ainsley. And this dress… is just gorgeous on you.”

Trina and Mike had met through Finding Forever. They’d been the first successful match that Spencer’s company had, and Mike had been the reason Spencer had started the company.

“Thanks.” Ainsley smiled and leaned into my side as I looked around the room. Everyone seemed to have a good time, but a huge part of me felt tense. As I skimmed the room, I noticed Carly staring over at us as she talked to her date. Whatever she said caused him and another one of Ainsley’s other friends to turn our way and watch us as well, whispering to one another.

I was about to turn back to the conversation with my brother when I noticed Jon and Jane standing off to the side. They both held a glass of wine, talking amongst themselves, neither lookingthrilled. Carly moved over to them and whispered something. Both Jon and Jane laughed, then they both looked over in our direction with an odd expression.

I felt as if I were becoming paranoid, as I never usually cared about what people thought, but after hearing Carly talking to Ainsley about our age difference the other day, and trying to give her reasons that we shouldn’t get married, I worried she was now having second thoughts and had said something to someone, which was why we were getting all the looks. I searched my mind, trying to remember if she’d given me any sign of that, but she hadn’t.

I glanced over toward where I’d last seen Nikki playing with some other children, but she wasn’t there. Panic filled me for a moment as I searched the crowd until I spotted her with Brittany, pulling on the bottom of her dress to get her attention. Brittany ignored her because she was glaring at us from across the room. I knew the look on her face well, and it clearly wasn’t one of happiness, although that would be a look I wouldn’t recognize anymore, anyway. I hadn’t wanted her here, but she’d insisted on bringing Nikki instead of just allowing us to have her for the night.

“Ainsley, how’s things going for you at Spencer’s office?” Mike asked.

I felt Ainsley grip my side a little tighter, and I turned my attention back to the conversation. “Things are going well. I’m enjoying my position very much.”

“Good. My brother is treating you well then? I’ve heard he can be a hard man to work for.”

“Mike, stop it,” Trina said, jabbing his side.

“She knows I’m kidding. Don’t you?” Mike said, winking.

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