Why Not Tonight (Happily Inc. #3)(75)

Natalie finished setting the table and looked around the room. Renee had created a movie-based wonderland with posters and comic-themed objects. There were cityscapes made from cardboard and bats on everything. Banners, and a flock (or colony) of paper bats, compliments of Natalie. There were eye masks for the guests and a small but beautiful bat-themed cake for dessert.

“Looks good,” Silver said from the bar she’d set up in a corner of the room. “I’m really excited about tonight. Tomorrow will be the real thing and more serious, but this is all fun.”

Natalie walked over and looked at the menu written on the chalkboard Silver had set up.

“Went a little crazy, did we?” she asked with a laugh.

Silver grinned. “I might have.”

The drinks were charmingly named with a brief description. Sweet Poison—two kinds of rum. Boy Wonder—tequila and champagne. Joker—infused vodka. Poison Ivy—gin. Gotham Chill—Wild Turkey.

“Have you tasted them all?” Natalie asked, thinking work like that would give her a really bad hangover.

“In very small amounts and not on the same day. I’ve learned to be careful.”

“I’ll bet.”

Silver set out glasses. “You okay?”

“Sure. Why do you ask?”

“I heard some things about last weekend. That Ronan and his brothers got in a fight.”

Natalie wondered who had talked. Most likely Carol or Pallas. They were all close and there weren’t a lot of secrets between them.

“I think things are all right,” she said, hoping she wasn’t lying. “Honestly, I can’t tell. Ronan says he’s busy with work, so I’ve let him be.”

“Do you believe him? About the work?”

“I want to. I hope he is. Otherwise he’s withdrawing and that scares me. What if he runs again?”

“I thought things weren’t serious. I thought you didn’t believe in happily-ever-after. What happened to you being unable to find a good guy?”

“This isn’t about me,” Natalie said quickly. “I’m just worried about Ronan.”

Silver set out several more glasses. “I get that and I think it’s really great you care about him. I would also like to point out that there’s more going on here.”

Natalie didn’t like how the conversation had shifted. Things were so much better when she was talking about someone else.

“Maybe.”

The corner of Silver’s mouth turned up. “As long as you’re not trying to deceive yourself.” The smile faded. “Natalie, whatever Ronan has going on, he has to deal with. I like him, but you’re my friend, so I’m on your team. I can’t help wondering if all this fuss about him is really about distracting yourself from the truth. You’re falling for him in a big way and for whatever reason you can’t or won’t accept that.”

“No.” The word was automatic. “I haven’t. I can’t. He’s wrong for me, so I wouldn’t let that happen.”

“Famous last words.” She held up both hands. “I’m not saying you have to do anything. It’s your life. I’m simply suggesting you might want to be honest with yourself. You’re not hurting for Ronan because of his past. You’re hurting for Ronan because you’re in love with him. That’s why you don’t want him to run away. That’s why you think you need to fix this problem—so he’ll want to be with you.”

“What? No. No, I wouldn’t...” She took a couple of steps back. “That’s silly. I’m not in love with him.”

She continued to back up until she bumped into the table. Then she turned and raced for the door.

“I’m going to check on the food,” she said. “I’ll be right back.”

Silver only smiled. “I’ll be here.”

Natalie waited until she was alone in the hallway, then crouched down and wrapped her arms around her stomach.

She wasn’t in love with Ronan. She refused to be! No. This was just them having fun. It was easy and great and she liked being around him, but anything else wasn’t going to happen. It couldn’t. He didn’t want a relationship that would last forever and she couldn’t accept anything else. So there would be no “in love” for them. Just this fun stuff, and then, well, she wasn’t sure what the “then” was, but it wasn’t love. It couldn’t be. His hiding from his brothers proved her point.

She forced herself to her feet. She had a rehearsal dinner to help with and then the wedding tomorrow. For now, she would let it all go. Ellen and Barry needed her. As for the rest of it, chances were her problems would be patiently waiting for her after that.

*

THE WEDDING STARTED on time exactly at three. By five, it was a party.

“What is it with zip lines at weddings?” Natalie asked Pallas as they paused in the kitchen to grab a glass of water before heading back to work.

“I know, right? We had that one last year and I honestly never thought I’d have reason to call the guy again. Still, it’s a fun and memorable addition.” She sat on a chair in the corner, leaning her head against the wall. “I feel so much better. Still tired, but better.”

“You look good.”

Pallas smiled. “Thanks. In a couple of months, I’ll be a whale, so I’m trying to really enjoy all the compliments I’m getting now.”