Page 81 of How to Break My Heart
Somehow, I need to think of a reason I agreed to go tonight without Maddy thinking it was anything more than a favor.
But that’s a later problem, as the event demands all my attention.
The ballroom takes my breath away, unlike anything I’veever seen. Instead of the usual stiff, formal setup, wisteria cascades from the ceiling and strands of fairy lights weave through the branches, casting a soft, enchanting glow over the space. It feels like stepping into a magical forest, each table nestled amid the greenery, giving the room an intimate, almost otherworldly atmosphere. The lighting is dim but warm, enough to see the sparkle in people’s eyes and the soft shimmer of the decor, enhancing the fairy-tale-like allure surrounding us.
Aston takes my hand and guides me to our table—the most prestigious one in the room. All eyes turn our way, tracking our every move. I’m not used to the attention, given that the last event I went to was a wedding for a college friend, and of course it was all about the bride and groom.
As we take a seat and get comfortable, Aston introduces me to all the guests seated at the table. It’s easy to see why everyone has their eyes on our table—the men arehot. When I sayhot, I meandrop-dead gorgeous. With Aston beside them, I feel like I’ve stepped into some fairy tale where all the men are so sexy, there is bound to be a happily ever after.
Will Romano is Aston’s business associate and friend. He is also the first to glance at Aston with a knowing smirk. A knowing look passes between them, but Aston keeps quiet.
His wife, Amelia, also looks at Aston with a grin. She’s gorgeous, with emerald-green eyes that are almost identical to the man near her, who apparently is her father.
And I’m not one to find older men sexy, but damn—this man is fine.
“Aston has told us nothing about you,” Amelia says, scolding Aston with her dagger eyes. “I’m glad he brought a date.”
Aston is busy talking to Will, so I lean in to correct her. “It’s not a date. We’re just friends. I’m a plus-one. Actually, a last-minute plan since his actual date is sick.”
Amelia shakes her head with a grin. “That’s how it always starts.”
Sitting on Amelia’s other side is her mother, Charlotte. I try not to stare in awe since her mother looks more like a sister. The family genes are strong and she looks a lot like her mother, too.
“Millie,” Charlotte chides. “You’re reading too many romance books.”
I laugh, enjoying their company. “You sound like my best friend, Maddy. She’s Aston’s sister.”
Amelia places her hand on top of mine, her eyes wide as she holds her smile. “Wait a minute. Best friend’s older brother? This willdefinitelyend well.”
“Everleigh, please excuse my daughter.” Charlotte eyes Amelia dubiously. “She doesn’t get out much since the kids were born.”
“Mom!” Amelia shakes her head with pressed lips. “For complete transparency, Dad is Mom’s best friend’s older brother. They’ve now been married for, like, what… a million years?”
“Thirty,” her father intervenes. “And yes, Everleigh, please excuse our daughter. I’m glad you could attend tonight. This charity is important to our family, so the more, the merrier.”
Amelia is chill and nothing at all like a billionaire’s overprivileged daughter. In saying that, Maddy is nothing like that, either. I enjoy chatting to Amelia for most of the night as the men leave the table to talk business. Normally, I would be pissed if my date—but alsonot date—left me to fend for myself, but it’s fun hanging out with just women sometimes.
Charlotte is just as chill as Amelia. They have a great mother-daughter bond, making me miss my own family. I decide to visit my parents once the wedding is over and maybe take a trip to France to see my brother. It’s been way too long.
“May I have this dance, Miss Woods?” Aston is standing beside me with his hand extended, waiting for me to join him. Since I danced with him at the violin and cello audition, this doesn’t seem like a big deal.
Yeah, but you didn’t have feelings then.
Amelia presses her lips together to hide her smile, but she’s doing an awful job at it. Will leans in and whispers something in her ear, only for her to shake her head as if he said something dirty to her.
The dance floor is full, and since we haven’t been served any food yet, I’m surprised so many people are already dancing. According to Charlotte and Amelia, the charity auction takes place after dinner.
Aston places his hands on my hips as I wrap mine around his neck. We dance to the band playing “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” The singer has a soft, velvety tone, with his spin on the song giving it a slower vibe than how it’s usually performed.
“I really like Amelia,” I tell him.
He chuckles softly. “If I tell her that, she’ll want to double-date every time she’s in the city.”
Unsure what to say, I continue with the same topic but avoid the whole double-date thing. “And Charlotte and Lex. They seem really chill.”
“Charlotte, yes,” he agrees with a twinkle in his eye. “But Lex, he’s a shark in the boardroom. My father loathes him.”
I try not to roll my eyes. “Your father loathes everyone.”
