“No problem. Darin is only teasing. He’s my boss and my brother’s best man.” My cheeks redden and I narrow my eyes at Darin wondering what in the hell he is doing. Is he trying to scare off the one man who has shown an interest in me? Why is he being a jerk right now?
He slaps Enzo on the arm and grins. “Just giving Faye here shit. I’ll see you two at the party that is unless you’d like to ride together.”
“No,” I say at the same time Enzo says, “Sure.”
“Good. I’ll drive,” Darin offers and I don’t get a chance to protest. Enzo is taking my hand and urging me over to Darin’s car.
This is going to be fun. Not. I move to get in the backseat with my date when Darin says, “Faye you should ride up front. I’m afraid there won’t be any room back there. You know I have to have my seat reclined far back.”
I narrow my eyes on him but Enzo squeezes my hand and assures me it’s fine.
Huffing and puffing to display my annoyance I get in and Darin smiles at me. I want to knock him up side his smug head. Why is he doing this to me?
The drive to the party doesn’t go any better. Darin is questioning Enzo as if he is interviewing him.
“So, what do you do for a living?”
“I’m a freelance photographer but I mostly work with travel blogs,” Enzo answers curtly. I can tell by his tone he is beginning to grow annoyed with Darin as well.
“Ah a traveling man. I do some traveling myself. Maybe we can employ your services when we update our website and portfolio. Faye, I am sure has all of your contact information.”
“Darin, can we not discuss work,” I implore him.
“What are your intentions with my sweet Faye? I only ask because…well, she is highly valuable to me and I look out for her.”
“Darin! Stop it!” I snap at him having had enough.
“No, it’s perfectly fine,” Enzo calls from the backseat. “I can’t blame him. We are casually dating.” Enzo’s words hurt me, I thought we were more than casual by now.
“So, nothing too serious then?” Darin pushes and I wish I could melt into my seat.
“We’ll see,” Enzo answers tensely.
Thankfully I am saved from further humiliation when we arrive at our destination. I am practically jumping from the car before the wheels stop.
Enzo follows me and while Darin parks I apologize profusely. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know why he is being like this. He’s not normally so invasive and involved.”
“Faye, relax. It’s cool. You’re important to him. He is just making sure I’m not taking advantage of you. And I think he has a thing for you.”
My breath catches in my throat. “No, he um is like a brother to me really.”
“Well, see. He’s just protecting you from the big bad hot photographer.” He winks. “Shall we get this over with. If that was the best friend I am almost afraid to see what your brother will throw at me,” he teases. At least I hope he is.
Eddie will be protective but not a jerk.
Inside once I show my invitation we are shown into the ballroom that has been transformed into a gorgeous dining room. There is even a fountain in the center of the room with live swans floating in it. The round tables are covered in white lines with ornate floral centerpieces. Her parents probably spent more paying for this party than I make in a year. I don’t know how Eddie can compete and top them with a wedding of this scale. I spent three hundred dollars on this dress on sale and I still feel out of place.
Enzo squeezes my hand and murmurs in my ear, “Everyone here is enraptured by your beauty. You are so damn stunning. I can’t wait to slowly peel that dress from you.”
Blush stains my cheeks. “Enzo,” I whisper his name feeling not embarrassed but bashful I suppose. “There’s my brother.” Eddie and Claire are standing near the fountain. Eddie looks so handsome with his hair slicked back in a low ponytail. Claire looks as though she were cut out of a high fashion magazine–––so plastic and perfect. I nearly gag at the sight of her fake smile as we approach the happy couple.
Something passes across Enzo’s face but before I can think much of it I am being swallowed in a bear hug from Eddie. “Save me, Muffin,” he whispers in my ear nearly squeezing the life out of me. I don’t know how he does it…pretends for Claire that he enjoys this big scene.
“Eddie, this is my date, Enzo.”
They shake hands and exchange pleasantries.
Claire smiles at me. My stomach turns as she greets me, air kissing both my cheeks. “Faye, darling. You look great. You are simply glowing.”