Page 9 of Accidental Wedding Crasher
“I’ve never heard it before.” Evan tilted his head to listen as they swayed. “But it’s pretty.” In truth, he didn’t really understand this kind of heartfelt love song. The singer crooned about how the only thing he wanted was to be reunited with the woman he’d lost two decades ago, and Evan couldn’t empathize. Itwaspretty, though.
“It’s called, ‘On This Starry Night,’” Mia said. “I remember hearing it as a teenager and loving it. What kind of music do you like?”
“I listen to a lot of eighties rock,” Evan admitted.
Mia chuckled. “Okay, our fake relationship can’t be based on shared taste in music, then.”
“I suppose not.” He smiled down at her.
Tyler and Genevieve had rejoined the party, too, and were dancing together in the center of the room. Apparently, they’d forgone a first dance that everyone watched, probably because Tyler wasn’t a great dancer; he’d admitted that to Evan on multiple occasions. Now, they hardly seemed to notice that they were surrounded by friends and family. The couple had eyes only for each other as they slowly swayed and spun, and Evan realized that he’d never seen his friend this happy.
Mia followed his gaze to the couple. “They look good together, don’t they?”
“I guess so.” Evan couldn’t keep the annoyance out of his voice.
“You don’t sound so sure.”
“I don’t know. Tyler just seems different around her than he used to.” Evan shrugged. “Maybe that’s what love is. Slowly becoming a different person.”
Mia raised her eyebrows. “Maybe, but that can be a good thing, right?”
“I like who I am.” Evan spun her beneath his arm. “So, tell me, wedding crasher Mia, do you have someone special in your life who would usually be your plus-one?”
“Is that a fancy way of asking if I have a boyfriend?” Mia smiled. “I don’t. Honestly, the life of a teacher is quite full. I don’t have a lot of time to date around.”
Evan tried to ignore the way his heart skipped a beat at the knowledge that she was single. It wasn’t as if he were pursuing a relationship, of course, but now he could flirt with her without concern that he was stepping on someone’s toes.
“I see.”
“How about you?”
“I’m single, too. Much to my parents’ disappointment.”
Mia shook her head. “Mine, too. They really expected I’d be married by now. Or at least dating.”
“It’s hard, right?” Evan dipped her backward and pulled her up, and they slid into another line of dancers. Despite what she’d said earlier about not paying him back in dancing, Mia seemed to be a graceful and confident dancer. “The worst part is the family events.”
Evan thought of his brother’s wedding the following month and held back a sigh. His older brother, Luka, was a doctor, which his parents loved, and was getting married, which they also loved. For at least ten years, ever since Evan had graduated from college, his parents had been pushing for him to settle down. He’d had endless conversations about how he was happier on his own right now and how Reign was his baby. The wedding next month would mean a dozen more of those conversations, at least, especially since it was a week-long destination event.
“Absolutely. My parents are always nice, but I can tell they’re disappointed.” Mia sighed.
Just then, the music faded away, and an announcement came that it was dinnertime. The guests began a slow-motion stampede toward the dining tents that had been set up on the lawn.
“I hope there’s a seat for me,” Mia said as they fell into the line.
“I’m sure there will be. Mrs. Saint Claire asked that guy to take care of it.”
“I also hope my seat is not at their table.” Mia made big, concerned eyes.
“Same.” Evan chuckled. They entered the tent, which was lit by fairy lights against the slowly darkening sky outside, and was filled with round tables covered in white cloths. The delicious smells of food were already wafting around.
“I’m supposed to be at table three,” Evan explained. “Let’s try there.”
They found the table, where a small handwritten sign by one plate readEvan Heart Plus-One.
“Oh, good.” Mia sank into her chair. “I was worried I’d have to survive on canapés alone.”
Evan chuckled. “There’s no worse fate, I’m sure.”
