Without a Hitch(34)

“Me too,” I say wistfully. “She’s truly making her own way in this world.”

“But you’re keeping a handle on her Bryer-Blaine affairs, correct?”

I give my mother an incredulous glance. “Mother, I’m offended. I tried to get Nova to take her inheritance in Bryer-Blaine 50/50, you know that. The only way I could get her to even agree to stay on the board was to buy out five percent of her shares. She wanted me to take it all. We negotiated down to thirty, but I only took over five.” I flash her a dimpled grin. “But we’ll keep that on a need-to-know basis.”

“I’ll never understand why she’s so stubborn. She’s as much a part of this family as I am,” my mother tuts. “Oh well, I’m proud of you, Banny. Let’s go find our table and get me a Manhattan. Since neither of my children are giving me a wedding anytime soon, I’ll have to live vicariously through Sonia Foundry.” The bitter tone is clear. Sonia isn’t known for being overly friendly. It always shocked me she could produce a child as kind as Audra.

Leading the way, I escort my parents into the Celeste Bartos Forum. They’ve truly transformed the space into one of the most elegant venues I’ve ever seen. If I allowed weddings at any of the Bryer-Blaine establishments, this is exactly the kind of affair we would host. Covertly, I slip my arm from my father’s grasp to duck around a corner and take pictures. For research. Just in case.

Long banquet tables shimmer under the elegant drop chandeliers with bouquets of flowers in all shapes and sizes running down the center. The flicker of candles and fairy lights accentuates the dim lighting and tastefully adorns the table and large flowering trees that were brought in. Match that with the domed ceiling bathed in blue with twinkling lights that mimic the stars, and it has a very distinct fairy tale vibe. It all surrounds a dance floor that reflects the magical glow from above.

Tucking away my phone, I rejoin my parents and I’m not at all surprised to find my mother is still discussing the wedding.

“Well, I’m glad Sonia didn’t ruin this for Audra. That child has wanted to get married in this library since she could walk.” She sniffs.

“Whoever decorated in here outdid themselves, don’t you agree, Banny?” My father is baiting me.

He’s not a fan of the embargo I’ve placed on weddings in our venues.

“They did. I’m sure Audra will be very happy with the outcome. I’ll leave you two here while I find our table assignment, then I’ll grab your drinks.”

My father pats my cheek as he has done since I was small. “You have a sparkle in your eyes tonight, my boy. It looks good on you.” For an aristocratic Brit, Oliver Blaine is overly affectionate.

I nod, tug at my collar, and pull away. “I’ll be back.”

Their eyes burn into my back as I retreat, and I know they’ll have a mouthful to talk about, so I take my time scanning the place settings. It seems there’s a head table at this wedding, and I feel an uncomfortable pang of disappointment that I can’t get Pepper at my side. What I can do is make sure my seat faces the head table and, as luck would have it, we’re positioned so I have a direct line of sight straight to my girl—er… My Pepper. I have a great view of the bridesmaids.

Bloody fucket.

“What has that V forming between your eyes tonight, Loch?”

I turn at the sound of my sister’s voice. Nova is eight years younger than me, and I’ve always been a protective prick when it comes to her. When my parents divorced, they remained close, so nothing really changed for me. Then my father married Nova’s mother, and brother bear tendencies I’d never known developed overnight for the three-year-old girl with a mischievous grin.

“I was just wondering where you had run off to.” I wrap her in a hug. “Were you with the bride?”

“I was. Fluffing her dress and making sure all the ladies were ready for their big entrance,” she explains while handing me a tumbler of amber liquid.

“Oh, yeah? Did you get to know them all well?” I hope my interest isn’t too obvious.

“Mostly, except the latest addition. She joined late, and I had to scramble to get her dress fitted in time, but she’s lovely and is absolutely keeping Audra’s best friend and cousin from killing each other.”

“Hmm…”

“What’s hmm? Why do you have a funny expression on your face? Come to think of it, why are you here? Weddings are synonymous with funerals for you.”

“Come now, Nova. You made the dresses. Of course, I came to support you.” I offer her my most chivalrous smile.

“It might have something to do with the beautiful brunette too,” my father unhelpfully supplies from behind.

Nova’s eyes go wide. “Is that right?” She leans in and hugs him, then stands between my parents to form a wall of solidarity pointed directly at me.

Here we go. No one can give shit like a little sister with intel.

“I don’t know what they’re talking about,” I tell her, but my hand trembles as I bring my whiskey to my lips.

That can’t be a good sign.

“The bridesmaid.” My father nudges my elbow like I’ve forgotten who he’s referring to. “The pretty one, with the hair and the smile?” He talks with his hands like a native New Yorker and not a posh Brit from Knightsbridge.