Page 12 of Accidental Wedding Crasher
She whacked him playfully on the arm. “Still, as a CEO, you must do more rich-people things. Like, I bet you always fly first class.”
“I almost never do,” Evan replied.
“Really?” Mia narrowed her eyes in suspicion. She wasn’t going to fall for his tricks so easily again.
“Really.” He dipped her back and pulled her up again, making Mia’s heart race. “I mostly take my private jet.”
Her eyes widened. “Really?”
“Really.”
She shook her head. “I guess that makes sense, but it’s hard to believe. What else should I know about you?”
“I’m an excellent dancer.” They glided apart, hands together, came close, spun, and moved apart again. “Because all the kids in my family had to take dance classes.”
Mia laughed. “I love that. How many kids were in your family?”
“Just me and my older brother.” Evan wrinkled his nose. “Luka.”
“Luka,” Mia repeated. “What’s his story?”
“Well, you know how there’s always one person who does everything right and overshadows all your achievements?” Evan asked, his tone on the border between joking and resentful. Mia’s brow furrowed.
“Yes, but how could anyone overshadow being the CEO and founder of a prominent tech company? That seems pretty impressive to me.”
“Well, Luka is a cardiovascular surgeon at a big hospital in San Francisco,” Evan explained. “Andhe’s getting married next month, much to my parents’ delight.”
“Congratulations to him,” Mia said, then shook her head. “But I might understand how you’re feeling. I don’t have any siblings, but my parents also want a lot for me. So, when someone my age gets married or has a baby or is promoted or something like that, I can tell that they’re disappointed that I’m not in the same place.”
“Exactly.” Evan nodded, his eyes lighting up. “And it’s even worse since he’s my brother. I’ll have to face a hundred questions about whenI’mgetting married and why I’m single, and I don’t want to deal with any of that.” He paused, his brow furrowed in thought. “You know… I might have an idea for how you could pay me back.”
“Yeah?” Mia tilted her head. “What’s that?”
The song ended, and Evan held out his arm. “Come on, let’s talk over there.” They walked across the darkening lawn toward a bench that overlooked the vineyard. Evan sat, motioning for Miato join him, and she did. Overhead, the stars were coming out against the velvety sky, and the air was cooling off from the heat of the day. Mia was very aware of Evan’s warmth beside her, and her heart raced as she wondered what he was going to ask her.
“So, I told you that my brother is getting married next month,” Evan said. He shifted on the bench, and their arms brushed, sending warmth shivering up Mia’s arm. “And I don’t want to deal with my family’s prying. How would you feel about coming to the wedding as my date? We can tell them that we’ve been dating for six months or a year or so, and that should stop them from asking too many questions about my love life. I know it’s a lot to ask, but it would help me out a lot.”
Mia bit her lip. She didn’t like the thought of lying about dating Evan, but it was only a small lie. There was enough of a spark between them that maybe, by the time the wedding came, they would actually be dating, if they saw more of each other between now and then… Mia shook that thought away. This was about a favor to a guy who’d helped her out, not about her own romantic life. And, Evan had saved her from further drama by claiming she was his plus-one at this wedding.
“Sure, why not?” She shrugged. “I’d be happy to. Just let me know where and when.”
“Thewhenis easy: it’s the second week in July, which I believe is during your summer break from teaching, right?”
“Right.”
“And the where…” Evan grinned. “It’s in Italy. In Tuscany, to be precise.”
Mia’s heart danced a wild jig in her chest as her mouth fell open. Italy? “Are you serious?”
“I’m serious.”
“Oh, wow. I’ve always wanted to go to Italy.” Mia’s mind swirled with thoughts of sauce-smothered pasta and tiny coffees and rolling hills and old buildings full of history.
“See, so it works for both of us.” Evan’s grin widened. “Of course, I’ll cover all expenses for the week, including flights.”
“The week?” Mia repeated. Evan chuckled.
“Yes, the week. Did you really think we’d fly all the way to Italy for a one-day wedding?”
