Page 9 of Shattered Oath
“Heyyy,” Aria said, practically bouncing. “How was your flight?”
I shrugged, trying to match her energy and failing miserably. “Decent. Long. You know how it is."
“Well, I know you must be exhausted, so I won’t keep you long.” She paused, her smile growing impossibly wider. “I just formally wanted to ask you girls…” she paused for dramatic effect. “To be my bridesmaids!!!”
Oh, no.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Naomi descend the stairs, already dressed for her shoot. She waved at me before walking out of the house, her heels clicking, leaving me alone to face this conversation.
“Aria! That’s an honor,” I heard Kim scream, her voice going up several octaves. "I'm so excited! I've never been a bridesmaid before!"
I’d hoped to have as little involvement in the wedding as possible. I loved my brother, loved Aria, but weddings were exhausting. All that forced happiness and pastel colors and people asking when you were going to settle down.
And now, since Kim was engaged too, and I was the last single lady in the family, my grandmother would see this as an opportunity. She'd parade eligible men in front of me at every wedding event. She'd make pointed comments about my biological clock.
I didn’t want that. But Aria was smiling at me through the screen, her eyes bright with happiness and hope, and I couldn't say no to her. I didn't have it in me.
“Of course, Aria. I’ll be glad to do this for you.” I took a breath and committed to the madness. “Also, as a wedding present, I’ll be happy to design your dress. Consider it on the house.”
Her hand flew to her mouth. “I’m going to have an Isabelle Dubois original?”
I nodded, already mentally sketching designs. “One of its kind. I’ll make it special for you.”
She grinned. “Oh, thank you.” Then her eyes went wide. “Oh, I was wondering if you guys wanted to get to know the groomsmen ahead of the wedding? You know, avoid that awkward first meeting at the rehearsal dinner?" She rushed on, not waiting for an answer. “Kim, you already know the best man pretty well, actually. It’s Xavier.”
Kim's smile turned secretive, knowing.
“And since Sebastian literally has no friends?—”
“Hey!" I heard Sebastian protest in the background.
“–Xavier volunteered his friend who recently moved to town. Now what was his name again?” She tapped her chin, pretending to think, and my heart started sinking. "I've got it! Femi Davies. We met at the party actually. Lovely guy. Very charming. And I think I saw you talking to him at the table, Isa."
My heart didn’t just sink. It plummeted.
Kim’s eyes suddenly widened with understanding. “Isabelle, do you guys have history?”
Ugh… Please don’t make me repeat this story. Please don't make me explain how Femi Davies broke my heart into so many pieces I was still finding shards of it in unexpected places.
“Something like that.” I kept my voice carefully neutral. “But it was a long time ago, and it doesn’t matter.”
“You seemed to be really popular last night,” Aria continued, oblivious to my internal crisis. “I saw the way Matteo was looking at you. He even asked Sebastian about you. And you know how your brother is. He grumbled about it the whole ride home.”
“Wait… who is…” And suddenly I remembered. The wine guy. Matteo. Sandy brown hair, warm eyes, calloused hands. He was looking at me? I’d completely forgotten about him.
Aria had it wrong, though. There was nothing there. He was just being friendly. Italian people were friendly. It didn't mean anything.
“I’m sure you’re mistaken,” I said.
“I saw it too,” Kim offered, which didn’t help at all. “He seemed like quite the catch. Very attractive. And that accent…”
Oh, God. I needed to get out of this conversation right this minute before they started planning my love life along with the wedding. “I have to go, you guys. I have um…” I wracked my brain for something, anything. “I have a client tonight. Meeting about a custom piece. Very demanding client. Can’t be late.”
“Wait…” Aria suddenly said. “Before you go, can you make it back to New York next Sunday? I was hoping we could all have a sit-down to start planning the wedding officially. Venue tours, cake tastings, the whole thing.”
Back to New York. Where Femi would be. Where I'd have to see him again, probably multiple times, because we were apparently both in the wedding party now.
I nodded, sealing my fate. “Of course. I wouldn't miss it. Bye, guys!”
