He lifted one shoulder. "That would be unprofessional."
I rolled my eyes. "Really?"
He grinned, "Yes, it would be."
Then the wedding day came.
I wore a stunning bareback dress, paired with heels and gold jewelry. Adrian arrived in a tuxedo that was perfectly tailored and showed just how sculpted he looks. When I opened the door, he took one look at me and said, "Your ex is in trouble."
I laughed, and just like that, my nerves eased.
The vineyard was full of polished people pretending not to stare.
The second we stepped out of the car, I felt eyes turn. I slid my hand through Adrian's arm and told myself to breathe.
We walked into the reception hall after the ceremony had already ended. That had been strategic.
I didn't want to sit through vows. I only wanted to be seen at the reception, which more people normally attend.
I wanted Adam and his bride to see me as they interacted with their guests.
Adam saw us first.
He was near the bar with one hand around a champagne flute, half-turned toward a group of relatives.
The moment his eyes landed on me, his whole face changed.
He seemed happier than before, most likely because he thought I was there to see him and his bride.
Then he saw Adrian, and he went white like someone had kicked all the blood out of him in one blow.
At the same moment, the bride, who was chatting near Adam with other guests, turned.
She was beautiful in her umbrella gown. Her dark hair was pinned up, diamonds on her neck and ears. She saw me, frowned, then saw Adrian and physically stiffened.
That was when Adrian's hand tightened around mine.
He leaned down, smiling for the watching guests, and whispered, "I promise you, I didn't know this, but the bride, your ex's new wife, was my fiancée."
For one wild second, I forgot how to breathe.
I turned my head slightly. "What?"
"Keep smiling," he murmured. "I'll explain later."
I should have let go of his arm and demanded answers. I should have walked out right then and left all of them to their nonsense.
Instead, maybe because I was already there and too deep in, maybe because Adam still looked like he was seeing a ghost, I smiled.
And Adrian smiled.
And together we crossed the room like we had absolutely nothing to hide.
Adam met us halfway, moving too fast for a man trying to look casual.
"Nora," he said. "You came."
His eyes flicked to Adrian again, and I saw fear in them, something I had never seen before.
I gave him my best pleasant expression. "You invited me."
Adrian, to his credit, looked almost amused.
Adam said, too evenly, "I didn't realize you were bringing someone, or that you even knew Adrian."
I tilted my head. "That's funny. Your note made such a point of hoping I would come alone. As for Adrian, he is my boyfriend. Apparently, you know him. Tell me how."
His jaw tightened.
The bride was at his shoulder now, staring openly at Adrian. "What is Adrian doing here? What is your ex doing here?"
Her questions came out sharper than she'd intended. A few nearby guests went quiet.
I looked at her. "You should ask your husband. He invited me."
She turned to Adam, a look of betrayal on her face, "I thought we agreed we wouldn't invite our exes."
Adam looked apologetic and resorted to the fake apology voice he used to use on me, "I am sorry. I just wanted her to see that we were happy."
"Is that what was more important? Us getting married should be enough. Does she have to know you are happy? Are you not over her?" the bride spiraled as Adrian and I looked on. A few guests were also listening in.
"No, no, that's not it," Adam struggled to explain himself, "I love you, and you are enough. I just..."
"Just selfish and caring about you only as usual," I chimed in, glad to see that Adam had not changed.
The bride turned his attention to us, "And what are you doing with my ex-fiancé?"
Adrian pulled me closer by the waist as I replied, "Oh, you mean my boyfriend. We also just wanted you two to see that we are happy."
"This is crazy," the bride murmured.
