“Oh, Lexi, there you are!” A woman in her forties sighs in relief.
“Alex! I never thought you would come to Evenly’s wedding, let alone be her witness,” she says, quite surprised. “Just look at you! You look better than ever. Too bad you met that little bitch Racheal. Lexi could be your daughter. But I guess you’re not with her anymore because that bitch would never show up here… She wouldn’t even let you out of your apartment. That bitch was jealous.”
I raise my eyebrows.
Alex stands up, pressing his lips together.
“Uh, yeah,” he says and interlaces our hands.
I bite my inner cheek at the woman’s confused reaction.
“Loren, this is Nina,” he introduces me.
The woman tenses her jaw and forces a smile.
“Nice to meet you, Nina,” she murmurs, glancing at our hands.
“I have to take Lexi to the bathroom. I’ll see you at the party,” she says, picking up the little girl.
“But I don’t want to go to the bathroom, Mommy,” the little girl whispers before Loren leaves.
Rachael was a complete disaster-that’s why almost everyone here knew her.
“Please, don’t kill me,” she begged.
I let out a small laugh and shook my head.
“I guess it’s okay. I’ll never make as much of an impression as she does anyway. I have to get used to it,” I joked.
Alex frowned. “You’re already making an impression,” he said matter-of-factly.
I raised my eyebrows.
“And a good one, to tell the truth.”
“I haven’t done anything at all,” I said, confused.
Alex stepped closer. I placed my hands on his chest, and he wrapped his rough hands around my waist.
“I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for you,” he admitted. I wrinkled my nose.
“I love Evelyn, but I can’t see my family the same way I used to,” he whispered.
I pouted, and Alex’s gaze dropped to my lips.
“You’re pretty important to me,” he continued. “You’re full of good things, and I-”
“Alex! Oh god, you look so handsome!”
Lena’s voice rang out, cutting him off. Alex clenched his jaw. I smiled and turned to see Lena grinning from ear to ear.
“For a moment, I thought you weren’t coming, but seriously, I’m so glad I was wrong!” She hugged Alex, who stiffly placed a hand on her back. At the same time, he intertwined his fingers with mine.
It was something I had noticed about Alex since I met him-every time his mother was around, he held my hand. I didn’t know why, but he always did.
I made a face and pulled my hand away. He frowned at me, but I gestured for him to hug his mother instead.
It all happened so quickly that it didn’t even seem like I had asked him to do it. Alex looked down, then hesitantly wrapped both arms around his mother.
Her eyes fluttered shut, and she sighed.
Minutes passed like this, and I felt a deep sense of relief watching them. I knew Alex had a complicated relationship with his family, and seeing him hug his mother after so much time and so many conflicts filled me with an indescribable peace.
Alex kissed the top of his mother’s head before they pulled apart. Lena’s face was slightly red, her eyes teary.
“Oh, Nina, darling, how rude of me-I haven’t even greeted you!” she laughed through her tears before hugging me and kissing both my cheeks. “You look beautiful! Well, I suppose I’ll see you at the party.”
She shrugged, smiled at us one last time, and walked away.
I looked at Alex, who had his gaze fixed on the floor. I reached for his hand and intertwined our fingers.
“I think we’re late,” I murmured.
**Alex’s POV**
“Thank you,” Evelyn’s voice broke through my thoughts.
I turned to her, raising an eyebrow.
“For coming,” she whispered.
I licked my lips.
“I know how hard it is for you-to try to forget everything that happened, or just let it go. Having you here today means a lot,” she said softly.
I gave her a small smile.
I glanced over at Nina, who was talking with my cousin Elizabeth, both holding mojitos in their hands.
“Don’t thank me,” I said, shaking my head. Evelyn frowned in confusion.
“Thank her,” I murmured, nodding toward my girlfriend-my sweet and gorgeous girlfriend.
“She’s amazing,” Evelyn says.
I glanced at her and nodded. I reached into my jacket pocket, pulling out a pack of cigarettes.
“Do what? Come to my wedding?” Evelyn asked sarcastically.
I shook my head, placing a cigarette between my teeth. I pulled out my lighter and lit it, taking a slow drag before exhaling the smoke.
I looked back at my girlfriend just as she turned toward me, waving playfully.
“Everything,” I admitted. “She’s the reason I do everything I do… even breathe.”
“Hey, your cousins are cool,” Nina said with a smile.
I bit my lower lip at the sight of her. That red dress she was wearing was killing me. How could someone look so cute and so hot at the same time?
“I know. Amazing,” I muttered.
“Hey, have fun! Dance a little! I’m going to find my husband,” Evelyn said happily before walking away.
Nina turned to me and wrapped her arms around my waist. I dropped my cigarette to the ground and stomped it out before hugging her back.
“Maybe we could dance?” Nina suggested.
I burst out laughing. “No way. I don’t know how to dance.”
She pouted. “Oh, come on!”
I made a face, and she pulled out her best weapon-batting her eyelashes and pouting.
Shit. What a beautiful sight.
“Let’s have some fun for a while,” she urged.
I sighed, running my thumb over her soft cheek. Nina’s eyes fluttered closed at my touch.
How could I say no to such a beautiful creature?
“Just one song,” I finally relented.
She grinned from ear to ear, grabbed my hand, and dragged me to the dance floor, where several people were already moving to the music.
Evelyn had a lot of friends. Honestly, it was a little enviable.
Nina let go of my hand and started swaying to the rhythm of the song. I glanced around, cleared my throat, and adjusted my suit jacket.
The way she moved her arms and hips was mesmerizing. I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
“You’re not dancing,” she teased, her voice just loud enough for me to hear. “This song doesn’t count.”
I raised an eyebrow and rolled my eyes at her playful expression.
“I seriously don’t know how to dance,” I shrugged.
Nina narrowed her eyes, scanning the room.
Then, out of nowhere, she grinned mischievously and practically ran off the dance floor. I frowned and followed her, only to find her at the bar with two shot glasses and a bottle of vodka.
“Let’s play,” she said, her eyes gleaming with excitement.
I closed my eyes and chuckled. Of course.
“Honey, this is my sister’s wedding. We’re not at a club,” I laughed.
She pouted. “I’ve never ever had sex with someone younger than me.”
I frowned.
“You have. You take one,” she said, smirking.
She opened the bottle and poured the vodka into my glass. I rolled my eyes but took the shot anyway-just to make her happy.
The burn hit my throat immediately, making me grimace.