Page 89 of Loved By You

“Thank you for the gift. You didn't need to get me anything. It’s not our wedding da—” She cuts the sentence short as if she realizes what she just said.

I bend down lower, grazing my lips with the tip of her ear, and whisper, “Not today it isn't, sweetheart… but one day it will be” And the gasp that leaves her mouth was the exact reaction I was hoping for.

The ceremony was everything you could expect from a couple like Nancy and Chris. The room was surrounded by large pillar candles and white flowers. Nancy looked beautiful in a white lace wedding dress and walked down the aisle being serenaded by a man singing “Will you marry me” accompanied by an orchestra.

Throughout the ceremony, my hand was either in Ria’s hand or stroking her thigh and all I could think about was how I want to be stood up there, watching Ria walk towards me. I never thought I was the marriage type, but they say it only takes one person to change the entire trajectory of your life, and she’s that person. I never imagined myself settling down and especially with someone with kids but it’s all I seem to think about, the day I can call Ria my wife, raising the girls with her and if she allows, have more babies with her.

I am taken away from my thoughts by applause and cheers as the bride and groom are declared husband and wife. One by one, we are ushered from our seats and to the ballroom, where our evening meal will be served. It’s another extravagant room full of fresh white flowers in oversized vases in the center of the tables. A large white dance floor sits in the middle of the room underneath a crystal chandelier. Ria and I sit at a table with acouple of guys we briefly met at the wedding shower, along with Brad, Harry, Gabby, and Ali, so this should be entertaining.

The next couple of hours are a blur of speeches, courses of mouth-watering food, and champagne on tap. Looking around the table, Gabby seems to have fallen into an effortless conversation with one of the guys next to her. Ali is sitting between the other guy and Harry while Brad looks like he wants to be anywhere else but here. The two guys leave the table to go mingle with some friends, and Ali is already swooning over the new man she’s met.

“Oh my God, how fucking hot is Paxton?” she says, biting down on her lip and reaching for her glass of champagne.

“What kind of a name is Paxton? It sounds like the name of a fucking wardrobe from Ikea,” Harry bites, clearly not happy about Ali’s new found friendship.

Gabby laughs and then chokes on her drink, causing Brad to start smacking her on the back. I turn, raising an eyebrow at Ria after the most unladylike snort just escaped her.

“Sorry, but he’s not wrong,” she laughs.

Ali turns to face Harry and I almost feel like ordering popcorn and sitting back, ready for the showdown between them.

“And how long did it take you to come up with that remark?” she challenges him.

“You know, you sound better and look so much hotter with your mouth closed,” Harry quips back.

“I’d agree with you, but then we’d both be wrong, wouldn't we?” she comes back quickly.

It’s like watching a tennis match.

“You know what? You are the walking version of a migraine,” he retorts. “When I’m around you, I get this throbbing pain right…” he says, pointing to his temple.

“Well, pop some aspirin, baby because it’s about to get painful,” Ali says, finishing the last of her drink.

“Please, save your breath, you'll probably need it to blow up your next date, or ‘Paxton’,” he mocks.

“I don't know what your problem is, but I’m guessing it’s hard to pronounce for you,” she bites back.

“Remember that time I said I liked you... I lied,” Harry says, staring her dead in the eyes.

Ali gasps, pressing her hand to her chest. “What...are you saying you don't like me?” she says dramatically. “Please give me a few moments whilst I recover from this tragedy.” She rolls her eyes.

“Fuck me, you are…” Harry spits, not finishing his sentence. Instead, turning away from her as he downs the remainder of his drink.

“You know, as tempting as that is, I don’t know where that little dick of yours has been, so I—”

“Right, that’s it you two, enough,” Ria shouts, startling us all, but her shout is instantly followed by a laugh.

Oh, tipsy Ria has joined the party.

“You two are like a pair of children. Don't make me put you in a time-out in your rooms.”

I lean in and whisper whilst she is mid-scold, “Feel free to put me in a time-out.”

I feel a little shudder run through her. Excitement runs through me, knowing I have this effect on her.

She clears her throat as if she needs a second to find her words.

“Now then, this is a wedding. It’s full of love and happiness and I love this song, so we are going to dance and you too are going to kiss and make up. Come on.”

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