Page 104 of Give Me a Reason

When Gia found out, she asked if she could come with me to see what the resort was like.

When a few guests cancelled at the last minute, Gia asked if she could bring her brother, Leo, and her best friend, Harper. Naomi didn’t mind, and I wanted the company since I didn’t know anyone outside of Finn, Paisley, and Naomi.

I had a feeling Silas wouldn’t be happy to find Gia on his property, but she wanted to see for herself what the competition was like.

The resort itself was located just across the Bay Bridge from Annapolis, on the water. It was the size of a regular hotel, but the architecture itself was unique, managing to appear both stately and welcoming at the same time.

As we followed the bellhop to our room, he pointed out the amenities. There were two restaurants, a market that served gourmet food for breakfast and lunch, and a more formal sit-down option. We also passed a chef’s garden and greenhouse, a spa, two pools with cascading features, yoga classes, and even complimentary bikes provided to ride on the surrounding paths.

The room itself was luxurious. There was an upholstered headboard in gray, a leather couch at the base of the king-size bed, a gas fireplace, and a marble bathroom. I’d never been anywhere so extravagant, and I was in heaven.

We wouldn’t need to leave the resort unless we wanted to visit St. Michaels. There was nothing like this in Annapolis. The inns were historic, with small rooms and dismal air conditioning units.

We unpacked our things, got dressed for the ceremony, and took a stroll through the grounds. When we reached the beachfront area, the seats and flowers were already set up. The resort boasted a large ballroom and a beachfront for weddings and other events. Chris and Naomi would get married on the beach and take photographs on the dock that jutted into the water.

I stayed with Finn while he warmed up for the ceremony itself. Guests started arriving and took their seats.

It was a Saturday, so I was surprised when Silas arrived. I assumed he let his wedding planner handle events while he took time off, but maybe he was the kind of business owner who liked to make his presence known at all times.

I studied him while he talked to his wedding planner, Scarlett. She showed him her tablet that probably held the schedule for the day, and after a few minutes, they parted. I held my breath when he scanned the room, and his gaze landed on Leo.

Leo and his brothers were friends with Silas.

Silas crossed the space, wearing an expensive-looking suit, to greet Leo. His expression was more relaxed than when he was speaking to Scarlett. “I didn’t realize you’d be here.”

Leo moved slightly away from Harper and Gia as if to divert his attention from them. “The bride and groom are friends of friends, I guess you could say.”

“Are you enjoying yourself?” Silas relaxed, his shoulders lowering as he continued the conversation with his friend and managed to keep an eye on the space.

“The room and service are top-notch, as usual.”

Gia mentioned that Leo and her brothers spent time with Silas at the resort and crashed in the rooms. The fact that her brothers were so close with her biggest competitor caused quite a few family arguments.

“Let’s grab a drink after the ceremony,” Silas offered while making one more scan before his gaze stopped on Gia, who sat in the front row. He stepped closer to her and lowered his voice. “What are you doing here?”

Gia’s face was pinched. “I’m a guest at this wedding.”

It wasn’t entirely the truth. She’d invited herself along to spy on Silas’s operation. My heart beat rapidly in my chest. Would Silas cause a scene and insist she leave?

He arched a brow as he considered her. “So you’re not here to scope out my resort?”

His tone was more amused than anything.

Gia stood and tilted her head to the side. “Why would I need to do that? I’m here to enjoy a friend’s wedding. Nothing more.”

Silas gaze did a slow perusal from her head to her toes, seemingly cataloging the short, flowered dress and heels, before a slow smile spread over his face. “What do you think of Harrison’s arbor? He created it specially for my resort.”

Gia’s confident smile wavered as she turned to look at it. “Harrison made the arbor?”

“He works for me. Or didn’t you know that?” Silas’s voice was filled with arrogance. He guessed that Harrison hadn’t advised Gia that he was working with him.

Gia’s eyes narrowed on Silas, and he smiled wider.

I wasn’t sure what Harrison’s agreement with Gia was, but exclusivity wasn’t in any of the vendor contracts. The wedding planners’ contracts included noncompete clauses. We couldn’t work for any other wedding planning services or conduct our own business while we worked for Gia.

“If you’ll excuse me, I’m here to enjoy the wedding,” Gia said as she brushed past him. I was fairly sure she touched him on purpose, and his eyes flared as he turned to follow the sway of her hips as she walked away. He waited until she went inside before following her.

I wondered if he was going to confront her inside, where no one was watching. “You don’t think he’ll ask her to leave, do you?”

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