Page 51 of You, Me, and Forever

Myles had told me that his brother had a longtime girlfriend, and they were ridiculously in love. I was surprised that she wasn’t here.

“I hope she’s all right.” Myles paused and studied his brother, who made it clear he wasn’t going to say more at this time. “How’s it going here so far?”

“I mean, it’s a celebration, right?” Samuel smirked. “Dad invited Wendy and Caleb, and Mom seems fine with it. She invited Gino, so I guess that’s payback.”

Myles turned to look at me, keeping his voice low. “Gino is my mother’s trainer, and Samuel insists they are having a ...” He paused and waited for his brother to chime in.

“They’re having an ‘emotional affair.’ They’re together every day, but my mother is too much of a rule follower to do anything about it while she’s married.” Samuel sighed and shook his head.

My eyes widened, but I tried to act unaffected, which made them both laugh.

“You’re wondering why they would throw an elaborate anniversary party, and then bring their own dates?” Samuel asked over his laughter.

I shrugged as if it didn’t matter. “Hey. Not my place to judge. I’m just happy to be here.”

Samuel studied me before turning to his brother. “Shall we get this part over with?”

Myles kept his hand in mine as we made our way through the elaborate space. He paused and introduced me to several people, bragging about my wedding planner business and singing my praises.

It was a bit ridiculous.

I was a small-town wedding planner. It wasn’t that I thought the Blushing Bride wasn’t fabulous, but I certainly wasn’t known outside of Blushing, Alaska. This man was a freaking real estate tycoon all over the country. His father and brother were brain surgeons.

Nevertheless, he was making an effort to make me feel comfortable, and it was sweet. Because I’d come here to support him.

He’d saved me last night during a very uncomfortable situation with Phillip, and I wanted to offer him the same in return.

His grip tightened around my hand as we approached a man and a woman who were staring at us. Samuel strode up beside us, and I assumed he was sticking close to his brother for moral support.

“Look who made it,” the man said. He was tall, but Myles had about an inch on him. His salt-and-pepper hair worked for him, giving him that stately, handsome appearance. “I figured you’d be off playing with LEGOs and miss the party.”

“Ignore your father,” the gorgeous woman beside him said. I assumed she was his mother. She had the same green eyes as Myles, and her dark hair was pulled back into a sleek chignon. She wore a peach-covered satin gown that flowed to the floor. “He just likes to give you a hard time. I’m Myles’s and Samuel’s mother, Sophia. You must be Montana. You’re absolutely stunning.”

She startled me when she pulled me in for a hug.

“It’s so lovely to meet you. Thank you for letting me join in on the celebration.”

She squeezed my hands and smiled before stepping back.

“Montana, is it?” Myles’s father turned his attention to me, and there was something very condescending in his gaze. I immediately stiffened as he sneered in my direction. “That’s an interesting name. I’m Dr. Winston St. James.”

I nodded, taking his hand briefly and giving it a curt shake.

This man was giving offdevil in an Armani suitvibes.

“Nice to meet you, Dr. St. James.”

“So, Montana,” Sophia said, “my son tells me you have this booming wedding business. I can only imagine how fun it must be to plan the most special day in the lives of your clients for a living.” She sipped her champagne. “I wish my boys would consider walking down the aisle. I’d like to have some grandkids one day.”

Samuel smiled. “I’m working on it.”

Myles rolled his eyes, but it was Winston who caught my attention.

“Kids aren’t easy,” he said. “You give them every opportunity, you offer them the best education, and they still throw it all away.”

Wow. Myles wasn’t kidding. I assumed that since it was a party, the topic wouldn’t come up. But he’d barely waited five minutes before he’d sunk his teeth into his son.

“Nice segue, Dad.” Myles cleared his throat. “I do have a degree, and I do use it daily. Just because I’m not staring inside someone’s skull does not mean I’m not doing good work.”

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