Page 68 of Give Me a Reason

Finn

I couldn’t bring myself to worry about what happened between Aria and me because it had been amazing. Aria could try to resist what was happening all she wanted, but I thought we were inevitable. No matter how hard we tried, we’d end up in the same position—her coming apart in my arms.

I couldn’t resist her, and she didn’t seem to be able to push me away. Our chemistry was explosive, but it also brought up all these emotions I’d never felt before. I never really cared about a woman I was sleeping with. Sure, I treated her right, but I wasn’t concerned if she got a promotion at work or if what we were doing was going to hurt someone.

Aria was different. She made me a better person. I’d never been with anyone who made me consider a relationship. It was easy to think I wasn’t the right guy for her, but what if I could be?

It was an attractive idea because I wasn’t ready to let her go. At the same time, I didn’t think we were ready to go public yet. I wanted to continue as we were to make sure it didn’t just fizzle out. Because if we didn’t work out, why would Ireland or Gia ever have to know?

I had a feeling we were flirting with disaster because it didn’t seem like something that would lessen over time. Each time we were together, my feelings for her just intensified.

I didn’t think I’d get her out of my system. Is that what a relationship was? Finding that one right person who was perfect for you? It was sappy, and something Aria would believe, but I found myself turning the idea over in my head the next few days.

The next wedding was at Port Annapolis, a club bordering the marina. The Alwine couple had chosen to hold their ceremony and reception in a tent open to the water. It was the perfect setup, protecting us from most weather events. Only high winds would be an issue, and that was fairly rare.

The couple had hired a string quartet for the wedding ceremony. I was just the reception entertainment. I think the couple had said something about a DJ being very cliche, or something. I hadn’t paid attention when we met with them because the bride seemed entitled. Like she was used to getting anything and everything she wanted. It reminded me of a lot of my friends growing up.

I wondered if a spoiled bride bothered Aria, but she smiled and laughed with the couple as if it were any other wedding.

Aria worked hard for everything she had. She’d mentioned drawing but nothing about her dreams. She just said that this job was good for her, and she loved making people happy.

A strange urge came over me. I wanted to make her happy. I wanted to ensure she had everything she wanted in life. But Aria wouldn’t accept it. She didn’t want it handed to her, and that was admirable.

When the photographs were being taken after the ceremony, I stood next to Aria. This was a big-budget wedding, so Gia was the head planner, and Harper and Aria were assisting.

I leaned over to say into her ear, “Isn’t it crazy she only gets to wear that dress for one day?”

Aria smiled up at me. “But the memory will live on in the photographs. Besides, you never know, one of her kids might want to wear the dress. I’ve heard of kids repurposing their mother’s dress or taking a scrap to wrap around the bouquet and carry it with them.”

“Her kids won’t want to wear her dress. Don’t styles change all the time?” I’d heard Ireland talk about fashion enough to know trends came and went.

Aria shrugged. “That’s a possibility. But you never know.”

“You’re a romantic at heart. No matter what I say, you love everything about weddings. Have you ever thought of what you’d want in a wedding?” I didn’t know why I was asking about her wedding. I didn’t like to think of her with anyone else.

Her smile faded a bit at that. “I like to create the vision of what other couples want for their big day.”

“But you carry that binder with you when you meet with couples. I thought that was your dream wedding.”

Aria shook her head as Abby guided the wedding party next to the bride and groom. “It’s just a book of ideas I put together when I interviewed with Gia. I didn’t have any prior experience, and I needed to show her something.”

Ireland had always said that most girls had thought about their wedding day. That society really pushes the marriage and kids thing. I’d seen it with my friends, who slowly paired off over the years until I was the lone single guy.

“Not everyone dreams of their wedding day,” Aria said as she leaned a shoulder into my arm.

The warmth of her body seared through my suit jacket, and I wished we had time alone. That we’d get a moment, however brief. Although I knew if that happened, we’d fill the time a different way.

Did she not believe there was someone out there for her? Or was she a realist in this one aspect of her life? I assumed she believed in marriage, a soul mate, or whatever people called it.

“Did I surprise you?” she asked me.

“I just assumed. That was probably shortsighted of me.” Not everyone was the same, and I’d pigeonholed her when we first met. I thought she came from money, cared about appearances, and was biding her time to find the right guy. As soon as she was married, she’d quit to work with various charities or to have kids. But that wasn’t fair. Aria was her own person, with hopes and dreams.

“Aria, can you fix this dress?” Gia asked, holding up the silky peach material of a bridesmaid’s dress.

“I’ll grab the sewing kit.”

The planners had an emergency kit nearby with everything they could possibly need to fix anything: a stain, a rip, broken shoes. I hadn’t seen them come up against something they couldn’t fix on short notice. It was impressive.

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