Page 100 of Give Me a Reason

“Are you staying overnight?”

“I didn’t want to drive tonight.” I hoped to talk to Aria and see where her head was at. I was worried she was going to avoid me.

“Good. We’re having an after-party at a local bar. I’ll send you the information.”

“Thanks for including me.”

Gia nodded and was gone. She wasn’t one for small talk before a wedding.

I played through the ceremony music, watching as Ryan stood at the altar, waiting for the bridal party to begin their journey down the aisle. His best man and friend, Jake, was his fiancée’s brother, so he’d be walking her down the aisle before he joined him at his side.

When Hailey appeared, her hand in the crook of Jake’s arm, I played the first few notes of the wedding march. Guests immediately rose to their feet.

Jake held Hailey’s hand against his arm, almost as if he didn’t want to let her go. When they reached Ryan, Jake said something too soft for me to hear over the music and placed Hailey’s hand in Ryan’s.

She wore a dress that allowed for the swell of her belly, and her face was a little fuller than the last time I’d seen her, when we’d discussed the playlist. She was just happy to be spending the rest of her life with Ryan.

I remembered her not caring about whether she looked pregnant in her dress. They’d had their private wedding, and this ceremony was for everyone else, including her grandmother, who was very special to both her and Jake as her parents weren’t in the picture.

Once Hailey’s hand was tucked securely in Ryan’s, he leaned down and said something in her ear. I closed my eyes, imagining it was me greeting Aria at the end of the aisle. What would I say? You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I love you and will forever be grateful you chose me.

A pang shot through my heart, leaving my chest aching. Would she choose me, would she put herself first, or would she let the old insecurities and doubts interfere?

I let the notes fade away to nothing as the pastor cleared his throat. I listened with half an ear as he went through the usual litany of wedding comments about the couple and then finally, the vows.

Ryan and Hailey’s happiness was a palpable thing from where I was sitting. I wondered if anyone in the first few rows felt what I did. They were almost giddy as they exchanged vows and rings, their energy hitting me in waves.

I knew I’d feel the same if Aria would let me in. I’d be the happiest man on this planet. I never thought I’d want a relationship and all it entailed, but instead of feeling confined, the thought of a future with Aria felt a lot like freedom.

I searched the area for her, but she must have been on the porch, waiting for the ceremony to be over so she could direct the bridal party in photographs. Harrison stood nearby, waiting for the end of the ceremony so he could work his magic on the transformation of the yard. He was in charge of rentals—the chairs, tables, dinnerware, dance floor, tent, and the general setup and takedown at any location.

We usually held events at larger venues, where the reception was set up somewhere else entirely. It made for a smoother transition, but this was what the couple wanted.

The pastor pronounced them husband and wife, and the pounding of my heart increased. I needed to talk to Aria to make sure she knew how special she was to me. I’d wait forever for her to be ready. I didn’t want to, but I’d do it.

I didn’t want to have to explain to Paisley why Aria was distant or couldn’t hang out with us anymore. I didn’t want to miss her in my life. I just wanted her. Whatever she needed to work through, we’d do together.

Once the couple made their way down the aisle to applause, they turned to greet their guests, and Gia directed them to the screened-in porch for cocktails. Aria and Ireland helped Abby direct the couple and the bridal party for pictures.

I placed my guitar in its case so I could help Harrison. He needed everyone’s assistance to get things ready for the reception.

Once things were in place, I gratefully accepted the water bottle Gia provided. “You’re on in ten.”

“I’ll be ready.” I’d need to play soft background music until dinner was served and they were ready for dancing. That’s where I shined. I loved that smile of recognition when the first few notes of a favorite song hit their ears.

I was busy during the reception, playing song after song, with a brief break to grab a drink and a bite to eat between sets. Aria was either avoiding me or busy somewhere else because I never had a chance to talk to her.

After the couple’s send-off, the guests started leaving one by one for their hotels for the evening. I stayed to help with the cleanup, and then the crew headed to our hotel for the night. After checking in, we walked to a nearby bar and restaurant for the after-party. Everyone had eaten at the reception, so we ordered drinks and stood by the bar.

It was a long day and an even longer week. I was done waiting for Aria to come to me. As soon as my drink was in my hand, everyone paired off in conversation, so I moved to the corner, where she stood with Ireland. I touched her elbow, watching as her eyes widened as she turned to face me.

A smile played on Ireland’s lips as she slipped away.

“Can we talk?” I asked her, my heart pounding in my chest.

“Um, yes?” she asked uncertainly as she allowed me to guide her around the corner, away from our friends.

“I know I’d said I’d wait for you, but”—I ran a hand through my hair—“I need to know where your head is at.”

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