The barrage of questions was fended off as fast as possible. Even with Gina as my backup, I couldn’t answer them with enough vigor to satisfy my aunt’s curiosity. Soon, the table was full of people that wanted to ask me questions, suggest guys I should go talk to, and generally remind me t
hat it was a shame someone my age wasn’t dating anyone. I had dealt with their attacks enough that I should have been immune to them at that point, but they still stung. I was grateful when the bride and groom arrived, because it took the attention off me for a moment. I needed another drink, and it was the perfect time to grab once since nobody would notice if I left the table.
“I’ll be right back.” I grabbed my empty glass and stood.
“I’m good for now. I’ll tell them you went to talk to someone if they ask.” Gina giggled and winked at me.
I walked to the bar and got a fresh martini. A blonde woman I didn’t recognize walked up and ordered a gin and tonic. She stood beside me as I stared at my sister. My sister always had the right answers to the questions that the relatives asked. It didn’t hurt that she was always dating someone and had loads of pictures to share. At least the attention would be off me for a while once she got knocked up.
There was nothing that could draw attention away from the older unmarried sister like a new addition to the Carmichael family. The year my cousin announced she was pregnant at Christmas had been the most relaxing one in years—for me. I finally got tired of standing and decided to head back to the table. They had already started in on Gina once the bride and groom took their seats, and she wasn’t even a member of the family.
“Headed back so soon?” The blonde woman looked over at me.
“Yeah, I guess so.” I shrugged and nodded.
“I hate to make a casual observation since I’m a guest at this wedding, but you looked like you were dying over there.” Her lip turned to a half-smile. “I’m Angelina.”
“I’m the bride’s older sister—Harmony.” I turned to her and extended my hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” She nodded and shook my hand.
“I don’t recognize you. I guess you’re friends with the groom?” I raised my eyebrows and motioned to my sister’s new husband.
“A friend of a friend, I guess you could say.” She nodded again.
“Cool—well, I guess I should get back over there before they start naming Gina’s firstborn kids.” I chuckled and waved.
“Forgive me, but I guess I was eavesdropping more than observing. Why is it that you’re not engaged or married?” She tilted her head to the side.
Great, now I’m even getting harassed by people I don’t even know!
“It’s complicated.” I exhaled sharply and glared at her. “I really should head back.”
“It doesn’t have to be complicated.” She put her hand on my arm. “Stay, let’s talk. I’m sure your friend can handle them for a little bit longer.”
I didn’t want to leave Gina alone with the wolves, but there was something about Angelina that seemed authentic. Her words were calming and her questions didn’t seem to be orchestrated in a way to inflict harm in the kindest way possible. At least my abandonment of Gina would be somewhat acceptable if I was making a new friend. The relatives had suggested that I try to meet someone at the wedding. It was a shame I wasn’t into women, because Angelina was the first person that I had really spoken to me I wasn’t related to in a while—since my last relationship went up in flames in the middle of the second date.
She’s someone at least—maybe not the version of someone they had in mind, but she seems nice enough, even if she’s a bit nosy.
I quickly finished my drink and motioned for another, which the bartender mixed up for me while I waited. I glanced over at Gina and she seemed to have actually turned the crowd. They were no longer assaulting her, and seemed to be listening to her talk. There was certainly no reason to paint a target on my chest and hop back in the midst of their questions if they had finally gotten distracted by someone else.
“So, what do you want talk about? Are you a therapist or something?” I chuckled and took my martini from the bartender.
“No.” She shook her head back and forth. “I like to consider myself something of a love connoisseur. I used to run a service that helped people find what they were looking for. Sometimes it was just a fantasy and sometimes it became a journey that ended on a day like this—with a beautiful wedding.”
“I see.” I nodded in understanding. “That sounds like a rather fancy dating service.”
“It can be a lot of things.” She smiled and nodded. “I like to think of it as an eye-opening experience.”
“How so?” I tilted my head and stared after taking a sip of my drink.
“Why don’t I open your eyes?” She leaned over and put her finger on my chin. “Or rather, turn them in the direction of the guy that hasn’t been able to take his eyes off you since you walked into the church.”
“Is that—Nate?” I blinked in surprise. “I haven’t seen him since high school!”
“Why don’t you go talk to him?” Angelina pulled her finger away from my chin.
Has he really been looking at me? He’s certainly looking at me now. If I don’t say hello, it will be awkward.