Page 11 of Accidental Wedding Crasher
“How’s the cake?” Evan asked. She slipped her phone in her pocket and focused on the plate in front of her. It held a white sponge cake filled with fresh fruit and covered in buttercream frosting, and she took another forkful.
“Delicious. What doyouthink?”
“Agreed.” Evan grinned, and Mia’s heart gave a little flip-flop. Ever since he’d rescued her from the intimidating Elizabeth Saint Claire, she’d found it difficult to look away from him. With his short brown hair, bright blue eyes, firm jawline, athletic build, and perfectly tailored suit, he looked like he’d been cut outof a magazine on attractive billionaires. Granted, he was more than a little out of touch — suggesting that she fire her assistant and pop over to Europe, for goodness’ sake — but she was having fun with him.
Not only was he attractive, but he was also interesting, smart, and a good dancer. More than dreading the drive home, Mia wasn’t ready to say goodbye to him. She was tempted to ask for his number, but what did a high school math teacher and a tech billionaire have in common? After this wedding, they’d probably never see each other again.
It’s my own little Cinderella story, without the slipper-based reunion,Mia thought to herself with an internal smile.
“Listen,” she said regretfully. “I’d better leave after dinner. It’s a long drive back to San Jose, and I want to be home before midnight.”
Evan glanced at the Thomsons, who were engaged in conversation with one of the other couples at the table, then leaned closer to Mia. He spoke quietly, his mouth only a few inches from her ear, and she caught a whiff of aftershave that smelled like pine and something masculine she couldn’t place.
“If you don’t want to make the drive tonight, you could stay with me,” he suggested. Mia’s heart began to race as she met his eyes, then looked away. Was he suggesting what she thought he was? If so… well, she had always thought of herself as a relationship person more than a one-night-stand person, but she did like Evan. Maybe it would be worth enjoying the night, even though it wouldn’t lead to anything.
“I have a hotel room near here,” he added. “It’s a suite, so you can have the bed, and I can sleep on the pull-out couch in thesitting room. You’d be doing me a favor by keeping me company until the festivities end.”
Mia felt both relieved and disappointed. She’d sort of hoped that he was inviting her back for something more romantic. But this was good, too.
“Oh.” She briefly considered the offer, but it was an easy yes. “You know, that would be great. I’m a little too tired to drive. Butyoutake the bed. I’ll be fine on the couch.”
“Absolutely not. I can’t let a beautiful lady camp on the couch.” He grinned. “If you aren’t driving, can I interest you in a glass of champagne?”
“Actually, yes.” She was here, she was with a handsome man who seemed to like her, and she’d already had a wild day. Why not have a little fun? Lifting her fork, Mia took another bite of the delicious cake, then accepted the champagne glass Evan had somehow procured for her. Another glass appeared in his own hand, and they toasted each other.
At the front of the room, someone clinked a glass, and the chatter slowly faded away. Mia looked up at the high table where the wedding party was sitting and saw that Jonathon Saint Claire, the father of the bride, was standing with his glass in his hand.
“If I may propose a toast,” he said. “To my beloved daughter, Genevieve. She’s always been the apple of my eye, my little genius and sweetheart. And the moment I met Tyler, I knew she’d stolen his heart as much as she stole mine.”
Mia listened as the wedding party, one by one, stood to praise Genevieve and Tyler and tell stories about them. Her heart warmed at the sweet words, and she felt less jealous than shehad earlier. Perhaps it was the champagne — or perhaps it was the company. Now that she had such a handsome wedding date, she no longer felt so lacking.
The last to make a toast was Tyler’s younger brother, who talked about how Tyler had been a workaholic before he met Genevieve. Mia sneaked a glance at Evan, who drained the last of his champagne at that comment. His eyes narrowed, and he looked away.
“Are you going to speak?” Mia asked quietly.
Evan shook his head. “No.”
Again, Mia wondered why Evan wasn’t more involved in the wedding of someone he’d said was a close friend, but she didn’t want to push. Instead, she sipped her champagne and listened to Tyler’s brother crack a few jokes about the two of them as children.
The last toast ended, and the live music began to play again. Evan stood and held out a hand to Mia.
“Shall we?”
She took it and let him pull her to her feet. “Shall we?” she repeated, putting on a pretentious accent. Evan chuckled.
“Are you making fun of me?”
“I would never.” Mia pressed a hand to her chest, opening her eyes wide and shaking her head. “You talk totally normal all the time.”
“I’m starting to wonder if youaremaking fun of me…” He winked. “Let me see if I can give you more ammunition.”
“Please.” Mia grinned as they joined the other dancing guests. “Tell me more things I can make fun of.” The current song was an upbeat number. The classical versions of popular songs had been replaced by more pop music as the evening went on. It was still soft enough that they could talk, though.
“Well, I have million-thread-count sheets.”
“Really?” Mia’s eyes widened, and Evan burst into laughter.
“No way. I’m pretty sure those don’t exist.” He spun her and pulled her in close, and Mia felt her heart skip a beat at his strong arms around her.
