Page 39 of Accidental Wedding Crasher
“More than anything.” Sarah smiled at Luka. “When you find that special someone, all you really want is to spend the rest of your life with them. And that’s finally happening for us.”
“It’s only been a couple of years since we met,” Luka said, grinning at Sarah. “But I knew from the moment we saw each other that we’d be getting married sooner or later.”
“Aw, you big softie.” Sarah punched him lightly in the arm. “But truly, when I met Luka, everything changed. I started to see the world in a different way. I wanted to be a better person, for him, and for myself.”
Mia glanced at Evan, her heart aching. Since meeting him, her world had been turned on its head. She’d started to see things differently, from her work to her family to her future. She was really falling for this man, a man who she could never really be with.
“It looks like they’re bringing around the first samples,” Evan said. He looked uncomfortable, too, probably because all this talk of love was pushing dangerously close to his and Mia’s deception.
They spent the next hour or so sipping tiny cups of olive oil, which was strange but enjoyable. Mia found that, unlike wine, she was pretty good at figuring out the differences between the oils, and it was fun. Or it should have been — if her heart hadn’t been aching so much.
CHAPTER 16
EVAN
“Here’s to the groom!” Evan raised his glass in a toast, and the other guys cheered. It was the night before the wedding. Many of the other guests had arrived that afternoon and joined them for the rehearsal dinner earlier in the evening. A few more would arrive tomorrow morning, in time for the wedding itself.
Now, though, the guys, both Luka’s family and his friends, had gathered for the bachelor party. It was being held in an enormous white tent on the lawn, which had been decorated with lights and a disco ball. There was plenty of champagne and beer, and people were already dancing.
“Here’s to me!” Luka echoed, lifting his glass and downing a gulp of champagne. He turned to Evan, his grin huge. “And here’s to you, little bro.”
“To me?” Evan asked, taking a tentative sip. He’d joined the bachelor party a bit late after attending a quick but important work call, so he was behind the rest of the guys on the inebriation front.
“To you.” Luka’s grin widened. “My little bro.”
“All right. Thanks.” Evan nodded. “Much appreciated.”
“Maybe we should go visit Sarah,” Luka said. His words were slightly slurred, and he was bobbing along to the music. He had a big, soppy smile when he spoke about his bride-to-be.
“No, come on. It’s your bachelor party,” Evan said. “Tomorrow will be all about you and Sarah. Tonight’s aboutyou.”
Both men looked across the lawn toward the tent where the bachelorette party was being held. Sarah, along with her friends and family, was there. Neither of them could make out any details of the party, as the tent was all the way across the lawn, but in the pauses between songs, they could hear cheering and happy music. Mia was over there, too. Sarah had invited her earlier that day, and she’d seemed happy to go.
She was always happy.
“Nah.” Luka shook his head. “Nothing can be about me without being about Sarah, too. We’re in love, you know. She’s the light of my life!”
Evan chuckled. “That’s great, bro.” Before, he might have pointed out that his brother should make sure to keep his focus on his career, but he didn’t say that now. He’d let his brother celebrate tonight, because some part of him could understand, now, how he was feeling.
“She’s amazing!” Luka continued. “Like, she makes me want to be a better man, you know?” He took a sip of his champagne and slung his arm around Evan’s shoulders. “Yeah, you know. Because of Mia.”
Evan’s stomach dropped. He didn’t want to talk about Mia right now. She was in his mind, always, but speaking about her would make things too real. And he wanted too badly for things to be real.
“Sarah is pretty great,” Evan said, trying to circle back to his brother.
“She is. So is Mia!” Luka grinned broadly. “I love the effect she’s having on you, bro. Because of her, you’re partici—patricipa?—”
“Participating,” Evan filled in.
“Exactly, participating in family activities for the first time in forever!” Luka squeezed Evan’s shoulders. “You seem happier. More relaxed. You’re having fun! You’re to-o-o-tally in love.”
“Oh, come on.” Evan shook his head. “Let’s not talk about this right now. This night is about you, not me.”
“Admit it.” Luka looked at Evan, his eyes intense. “Admit you love her.”
“Luka…”
“Come on, I know you do. Just say it.”
