<h4>Chapter 161: Chapter 162 Wedding ns</h4>
I nced at him. ‘My what?’
‘Wedding,’ Ashton said.
‘We’re already married,’ I said automatically.
‘Contractually,’ he murmured. ‘Not exactly what I meant.’
Yvaine stood. ‘Excuse me, I’m going to thedies’.’
‘Need me toe with?’ I asked.
‘Nah.’ She smiled at Ashton. ‘You’ve gotpany.’
I followed her with my eyes.
She didn’t look upset, but she took a wide detour to avoid walking past Cassian’s table.
‘You’re quiet,’ Ashton said.
‘I’m watching the fallout of a terrible snap decision.’
‘Yours or hers?’
I turned to face him properly.
His tie was still perfect.
He hadn’t loosened it.
His posture hadn’t changed since we sat down, spine straight, hands resting lightly on the tablecloth, eyes impossible to read.
Only his thumb moved, tracing a slow line against the side of his wine ss.
‘Why are you asking me about weddings?’ I asked.
‘We’re here, aren’t we? Such an asion naturally brings that topic to mind. Seemed reasonable to check what you like.’
I blinked at him. ‘Are you trying to n a hypothetical wedding with me?’
He tilted his head slightly, as if I were the one being obtuse. ‘What if, hypothetically, I said yes?’
‘You’re not joking.’
‘I rarely do.’
‘You’re asking if I want a real wedding. With you.’
‘I’m asking what kind of wedding you’d find tolerable, should circumstances evolve.’
‘Circumstances like... us not faking it anymore?’
‘Something like that.’
My heart was a mess.
‘Mirabelle!’ The bride appeared next to me, arm linked with her groom. ‘I have toe and say thank you! The ne is...’ She touched her neck. ‘Simply divine.’
‘I’m d you like it.’ I raised my ss and offered a toast.
The groom tried to engage Ashton in a conversation, and by the time the newlywed moved on, I’d lost track of my conversation with Ashton.
I checked the time.
Cake had been sliced.
People were leaving.
A few kids ran across the dance floor, dragging a satin ribbon between them like a leash.
Yvaine’s seat was empty.
Ten more minutes passed.
Still no Yvaine.
I leaned towards Ashton. ‘I’m going to look for Yvaine. She’s been gone too long.’
He didn’t stop me.
The hallway behind the ballroom smelled ofvender soap and floor polish.
A server carried a stack of tes past me.
I scanned the prep room, then poked my head into the bridal suite.
Empty.
Rachel popped out of the dressing room with her heels in one hand and a gran bar in the other.
Her updo was copsing.
‘Yvaine came through earlier,’ she said, chewing. ‘She didn’t stay long.’
I called Yvaine.
Straight to voicemail.
I turned around and went back into the ballroom.
She wasn’t at the top table.
I kept checking the rest of the ce, until I returned to the balcony where I’d run into Rhys earlier.
For some reason, it seemed to be a popr spot for private conversations.
Or, in this case, a private confrontation.
I turned the corner and spotted them both, Yvaine stiff as steel, Alexis standing in her way like a smug doorman.
It took me two seconds to figure out what was going on.
I walked straight over and stopped next to Yvaine.
My heels scuffed the edge of Alexis’s gown, which was an ident, but not one I regretted.
‘Let’s go,’ I said to my friend.
‘Miss Carlisle and I are not done talking,’ Alexis said.
‘Talking?’ I sniffed the air, which reeked of passive aggressive vibe. ‘Or threatening?’
Alexis gave me a dismissive once-over. ‘Fine. Yes, consider it a warning. I hope Yvaine’s smart enough not to screw with someone else’s marriage. She wouldn’t want to be called a homewrecker, would she?’
‘You and Cassian are married?’
‘Not yet, but it’s a done deal.’
‘Did Cassian know you wereing to do this?’
She smiledcently. ‘No. He wouldn’t like it. And I don’t n on telling him either. Unless you two want to run off and tattle?’
‘So you came here behind his back, hoping we’d just keep our mouths shut?’ I tilted my head. ‘You think we’re that fucking polite?’
Alexis just kept smiling. ‘Yvaine’s a Carlisle. I’d imagine she’s too well-bred to be sneaky.’
Yvaine snorted. ‘Says the woman who crept over here like a cockroach and started a fight she can’t finish. Who’s being sneaky?’
Alexis just shrugged.
Girls like her were the hardest to deal with, too polished to crack, too pleased with themselves to care.
I nced at the far corner of the balcony and raised my voice just enough for it to carry.
‘I’m guessing Cassian never wanted to marry you in the first ce. You and your precious family just wouldn’t let go. You’re insecure. That’s why youe here to warn Yvaine off.’
Alexis’s smile started peeling off her face in slowyers.
Still, she didn’tsh out.
‘Cassian’s best off with me. You really think he’d choose Yvaine Carlisle?’ she said calmly. ‘We’re announcing the engagement next week.’
Footsteps approached from behind her.
Cassian stepped into view.
His eyes scanned the three of us like he’d walked into a crime scene.
‘What the hell’s going on?’
Before Alexis could twist the narrative into another lie, I stepped in. ‘Miss Rivera chased Yvaine out here to warn her off you.’
Yvaine folded her arms and red at her ex-boyfriend. ‘I’d love to know what gave Miss Rivera the impression I’ve been clinging to you. Maybe now’s a good time to clear that up?’
Cassian turned to Alexis, frowning hard. ‘Is that true?’
For a split second, she looked rattled. Then she reset, face softening like butter under amp.
‘I didn’t say anything like that. We were just chatting. I might’ve said something that came out wrong, but it wasn’t serious. You know how things can get misinterpreted. You believe me, don’t you?’
He hesitated.
Then he nodded.
‘I believe you.’
Alexis blinked sweetly, as if that settled it.
‘I didn’t mean any harm. They must’ve misunderstood.’
She stepped in and slid her arm around his.
‘Let’s go.’
‘Not so fast.’