Page 60 of A Class of Her Own

That’s what love did in my viewpoint. It made promises that were left unfulfilled. People could say anything they wanted, but the proof came in their actions. And if a man’s actions didn’t match his words, then I’d be stuck trying to navigate a divorce and separate myself from the life we’d built. Yet, as I stood there listening to the promises Lizzie made to Jackson, I wondered if there was something I hadn’t fully understood about the power of vows.

Much to my delight, the couple had decided to forgo a formal reception and instead had a light buffet dinner. Guests were invited to come socialize and eat an assortment of finger foods. It was casual and festive, and as I stood off to the side munching on a plate of veggies, I realized I felt a lot more at ease than I’d expected to. It was the first wedding that hadn’t made my skin itchy. Because the group was smaller, I knew a lot of them. Lizzie’s extended family, not so much, but they were pretty easy to avoid. People from work already knew I wasn’t a small talker and simply offered friendly waves. My friends were being more social, and I was content to watch them.

In fact I was currently watching Hailey slip her hand into Ford’s and pull him through an open doorway. Looked like Jackson and Lizzie wouldn’t be the only ones stealing a few kisses tonight. The thought made me smile just as Ruby slid up next to me.

“Something is going on with Aryn,” she leaned close to whisper.

Ruby was wearing the lighter rose color, and the pastel looked amazing against her darker skin. Her curvy figure was made for the flowing material. I doubted she had any idea that she was catching eyes tonight. So, I told her. She tilted her head at me and smiled softly.

“Thank you,” she said. “Now, play it cool, but shift your eyes to the two o’clock position.”

I did as she said and saw that Aryn was standing near the buffet table talking to a tall, lean, blond man. “Oh, love in the forecast tonight?” I asked.

“It’s Wesley. From school.”

“Oh.” I looked again. He turned slightly, smiling at something Aryn had said, and I made a face. “He’s seriously so bland. What could they possibly be talking about? Computers? Hardly Aryn’s area of interest.”

Even though he and Aryn had known each other in high school and she swore he was a good guy, I was completely unimpressed by him. Aryn was vivacious and active, as bright and fun as her red hair, and Wesley was like a faded photograph in glasses. He was always nice when I needed help, but there was no spark inside that man.

“Look at her face, though,” Ruby replied. “She doesn’t look bored.”

Ruby was right. Aryn laughed, and I knew her well enough to see the heightened color in her cheeks. Aryn, who was always surrounded by guys but eternally bored by them, was glowing.

“Holy Toledo. No.”

“You might not think much of him, but Aryn seems to,” Ruby stated. She stole a carrot off my plate and bit into it with a crunch. “I’m interested to see where this will go.”

Together, Aryn and Wesley found a table and sat next to each other. Their heads tilted toward one another as I watched, surprised. “Where it will go?”

“Yeah. They were friends in high school, remember?”

I nodded. “Yeah. She said something about that. But she never talks about him.”

Ruby raised her eyebrows at me, still chewing the carrot. “Of course she doesn’t. Every time his name comes up you make it pretty clear that you think he’s not worth discussing.”

“Do I?” I bit my lower lip. Was I accidentally shutting down Aryn’s ability to share by being a harpy? “I mean, he’s so . . .”

“I believe you once called him ‘vanilla.’ As in, the most boring flavor of all.”

I blinked. “Well, in my defense, he looks like he’s never seen a spot of sun or eaten more than one meal a day. He’s so very skinny. And tall. And those glasses don’t help. I’m not sure he’s able to grow a full beard, but maybe that light scruff is a choice.”

“You’re doing it right now. Talking down about him.” Ruby took another carrot. “He’s a perfectly nice guy.”

“Yes, nice is good, but don’t you think Aryn would do better with someone as athletic and charming as she is?”

“Maybe. Do you think you’d do well with someone as snarky and closed-off as you are?”

“Hey.” My eyes shot to hers. “I’m not like that.” She raised one eyebrow and snapped off another bite of carrot. My mouth tugged up. “Fine. I get your point.”

“It’s the same reason I’m not going to bother dating someone like me. At least one person in the relationship has to have their feet on the ground.”

I patted her arm. “That shows a high level of self-awareness.” I laughed when she hip-bumped me. I glanced back at Aryn and Wesley. They did seem comfortable with each other, and nothing in Aryn’s body language said she wasn’t enjoying the conversation. For his part, his smile wasn’t fading one iota. “Do you really think Aryn likes him?”

“Yeah. I do. It might be as nothing more than a friend right now, but it’ll be interesting to see.”

“I guess it’s time to pay a little closer attention and keep my mouth shut.”

“Great advice for all situations.”

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