Chapter 3

Stephanie

I grab my phone and purse and head out to the car, so I can get to Aiden and Brielle’s for the wedding planning meeting. We still have plenty of time, as they’re not getting married until after this hockey season. They wanted to do it earlier, but Aiden’s schedule was too busy. Brielle is getting everything in line, so they can marry right at the end of this season before he gets sucked in again for the next season. I left early, so I could stop and grab bread from the bakery. Brielle’s making dinner and said I could bring bread. I’m pretty sure that’s because she doesn’t trust me to cook anything, but that’s okay. She’s mostly right, anyway.

I get to their house a few minutes before seven. When I knock, it’s Aiden who lets me in. “Hi, Aiden.”

“Stephanie.”

I walk towards the kitchen where I know I’m going to find my friend. “It smells good in here.”

“Hey,” Brielle says with cheeks flushed from stirring the big pot over the stove.

“Here’s the bread,” I tell her. I root around until I find the cutting board and a knife.

“Great. Thank you. Are you hungry? I made a hearty beef stew.”

As if on cue, my stomach growls. “Yes. I”m starving.”

I cut up the bread and put it on a serving plate and take it to the table before helping Brielle ladle beef stew into bowls that Aiden carries to the table. I take note of the four bowls on the table and look at Brielle. “Who else is joining us?”

Right on cue, the doorbell rings. Before anybody goes over to the door, it opens, and Sebastian Hart strides inside. I close my eyes a moment and dart into the kitchen. I don’t know why I didn’t think about the fact that he would be here. He”s most likely in the wedding. Shoot me now.

“How’s my favorite couple?” I hear him ask.

I can’t believe I’m going to have to deal with him all night. I look up at the clock on the wall. 7:15. Figures he’d be late.

“Are you hiding from me?” Sebastian asks, suddenly in front of me.

I jump in surprise. “Nope.” I forgot just how tall and broad he is and take a small step back.

“Liar,” he says with a grin. “Are you always this jumpy, or is that because of me?”

I resort to what’s in my arsenal—sarcasm. “Are you always this late?”

“I’m not late,” he scoffs.

I look at the clock and back at him. “It’s 7:15.”

“Yep. And?”

I stare at him. “You were supposed to be here at 7:00.”

“Eh. Fifteen minutes is barely late.” He grins at me. “I bet you’re one of those people who is never late.”

“Yes, because I’m responsible.”

“Or boring,” he mumbles.

I stare daggers at him, but he just grins. “It’s a pleasure to see you again, Stephanie.”

“I wish I could say the same,” I say as I walk past him and out into the living room. Brielle is staring at me with wide eyes when I make it to the table. I don’t look at Aiden as I take my seat and move it as far away from Sebastian’s as I can.

Brielle recovers first. “Well, I hope everybody is hungry. I made beef stew.”

“It’s delicious, Baby,” Aiden says in a low voice as he wraps an arm around her and tugs her close. “How are your numbers?” he asks softly.

Brielle beams at him. “Really good.”

I look down at my stew and take a bite. While I am so happy for my best friend, sometimes it’s a little bit much to take in. I guess it reminds me that I have nobody that cares for me the way Aiden cares for Brielle. And if that’s not the most depressing thought, I don’t know what is. Desperate to escape these melancholy feelings, I jump to the first conversation my mind thinks of.

“So, Sebastian thought he could get his niece out of one of my assignments by flirting,” I blurt out and mentally cringe; that was not what I meant to say.

He laughs next to me. “That was not flirting.” I turn my disapproving gaze on him. “What?” he asks, wide-eyed. “I wasn’t flirting. Believe me, you would know if I was flirting.”

“Whatever you call it, it was terrible,” I say deadpan and take another bite of beef stew.

“What did you do?” Brielle asks, humor in her voice.

“I didn’t do anything wrong,” he says, gesturing with his hands.

“You sound pretty defensive for not doing anything wrong,” I say calmly.

He turns to me with wide eyes. “I was just trying to help my niece.”

I nod. “Yes. The one you told didn’t have to do her assignment.”

“No, I told her we would talk to her teacher and explain what happened—”

“You told her that she didn’t have to do it,” I interrupt.

“Because she didn’t have what she needed,” he says, exasperated.

“And you couldn’t—” I start, but Brielle cuts me off.

“All right. Wedding plans.” She turns to Aiden. “Right?” He nods and scowls at Sebastian. I for one am glad I’m not on the receiving end of the scowl, but it doesn’t seem to faze Sebastian in the least.

“Remind me again why we’re meeting so early when the wedding isn’t for months yet?” Sebastian asks.

“Because Brielle said so,” Aiden growls from across the table.

Sebastian puts up his hands. “Right, Grumpy Gus.”

My eyes widen at his comment, but Brielle just grins. “Hey, nobody’s allowed to call him that but me; and I haven’t called him that in a long time.”

“But you did,” Sebastian points out, grinning.

“Okay, yes, I did; but that was before,” she says, patting Aiden on the chest. “He’s so much nicer now.”

“Yes, just like a cuddly teddy bear,” Sebastian says dryly. I laugh; I can’t help it. Aiden is anything but a teddy bear. I’m pretty sure that Brielle is the only one that sees a soft side to Aiden. Fans of hockey certainly don’t see that side. He”s always fighting on the ice. Of course, Brielle says he’s better now. I don’t really know. I haven’t seen enough games to know, especially this season. I haven’t watched a game yet this season. I’ve been busy.

“Anyway,” Brielle says, taking over. “Back to the wedding plans. Some things need to be dealt with now. Things like finding my dress, ordering the bridesmaids’ dresses, the cake, and all that. But before we do that, we need to get the venue rented. As best man and maid of honor, we want to make sure you both have availability that weekend.”

Dread pools in my stomach. “He’s the best man?”

“Yep!” Sebastian says proudly.

“Unfortunately,” Aiden says dryly. “I can change it.”

“But you won’t,” Sebastian says with a grin.

I groan out loud. “All right. Fine. Anyway,” I turn to Brielle. “I thought we already decided on a weekend, and you booked the venue.”

“We did,” Brielle says. She glances at Aiden for a moment. “But we’re thinking of changing it.”

“Okay,” I look between the two of them. “So, what’s the new plan?”

“Here’s the deal. We don’t want to do it here,” Brielle finally says. “Aiden’s such a big deal here, and the press and everybody will make it crazy. And that’s just not what we want; we want it to be our special day with just a few friends and family. So, we’ve decided to make it a destination wedding.”

My eyebrows lift in surprise. “A destination wedding?”

Sebastian turns to me. “A destination wedding is where you travel somewhere to get married,” he explains, oh so helpfully.

I scowl at him. “I know what it is,” I snap.

He grins, and I turn my attention back to Brielle and Aiden. “So, where’s it going to be? And when?”

“That’s what we need to settle on. That’s why we invited the two of you over. We have a few destinations and dates to go over,” Brielle says.

Sebastian leans back in his chair and puts his hands behind his head. “I’m game for anything. As long as it’s after hockey season, I’ll be there.”

I shake my head. “Of course,” I mumble.

“What’s that, Teach? I didn’t hear you?” he asks.

”Shouldn”t you be writing anything down?” I ask him pointedly. Moving on before he can say anything, I ask, “What are the dates and locations you’re looking at, as some of us actually have a schedule?”

“I have a schedule,” Sebastian protests. “I’m just going to make my schedule work for the bride and groom.” He turns to me, a challenge in his eye. “I’m just that good of a friend.”

“Whatever. Let’s be honest. All you’re going to do is show up for the wedding the day of, put on a suit, and stand next to the groom.”

“I’m going to do more than just show up,” he argues. “Tell her, Brielle.”

“Do you know how to bake a cake?” I ask.

“No.”

“Do you know how to do hair or makeup?” I ask.

He laughs. “No.”

“What about nails?” I continue. “Set the tables for the meal? Or make the food for the reception? No? Help with the invitations? Help the bride get ready for the day? Plan a wedding shower beforehand?” I prompt when he doesn’t answer. “Exactly. Like I said, you’ll simply show up and stand there.”

“Yeah, but think of how good I’m going to look standing there,” he says with a wink. I turn away from him in irritation.

“What weekend are you looking at, Brielle?” I ask, trying to find my calm.

“We’re going to try for the first weekend in August. We don’t want to plan it too early just in case...” she glances at Aiden.

“There is no just in case,” Sebastian says, inserting himself. “We’re going all the way to the championship this year!”

Brielle smiles. “Yeah, just in case that happens. And you guys know how busy July is. So my best thought is August before you guys get back to work in September.”

Sebastian sits back in his chair. “No rest for the amazing.”

“I’m pretty sure it’s no rest for the weary,” I tell him.

“Not when you play for the Green Thunder,” he returns.

“Anyway,” Brielle says, trying to draw our attention back to her. “What about the first weekend of August? Does that work for both of you?”

“Works for me,” Sebastian says without pulling out a calendar or checking his phone or doing anything like a normal, responsible adult.

“I’ll check,” I mutter as I pull out both my planner and my phone.

“What’s that?” Sebastian asks, looking over my shoulder.

I arch an eyebrow. “It’s a planner. You should try one sometime.”

“I know what a planner is,” he says with a chuckle. “I meant that sticker.”

I quickly open the planner, effectively hiding the sticker. “Nothing.” I turn to August of next year. “That should work. We won’t have started teacher in-service at that point.” Brielle nods, like she already thought about that. Which, knowing her, she probably did. “Where are you thinking?”

“We’ve got a few ideas, but we wanted to run them by you,” she says.

“But Brielle gets the final say,” Aiden says.

I nod, appreciating him. “That’s how it should be.”

“I don’t want to do anything too crazy, so here are our three choices. Costa Rica, Jamaica, or Hawaii. Those are the places the travel agency suggested. They also suggested Aruba, St. Lucia, and Dominican Republic; but those feel too...not what we’re looking for. What do you guys think?”

“Well, like Aiden said, it’s your decision, Brielle. I think they’re all great places. How many people are you thinking?” I ask.

“My mom and sister and both of you. We’ll invite my brother, but I doubt he’ll come. Aiden’s grandpop. And teammates?” She looks at Aiden when she asks. “Rico and Gunner?”

“They don’t have to come,” he says with a shrug.

“Aiden, they’re your friends.”

“Teammates,” he corrects.

“But I’m your friend, right?” Sebastian asks. “Never mind. Don’t answer that,” he says quickly.

“Yes, you’re Aiden’s friend,” Brielle says. “And so are Gunner and Rico.”

“Aiden doesn’t like Gunner because you wore his jersey,” Sebastian says with a grin.

“I didn’t have a choice, and I didn’t know it was his number. That’s what Chloe gave me!” she defends herself. Chloe is the team’s PR agent and a little bit of a menace.

“Sure, keep telling yourself that,” Sebastian says. I turn to Sebastian. He’s still grinning at Aiden and Brielle, oblivious to the scowl Aiden’s sending his way.

“I notice Chloe didn’t give her your jersey,” I say to him.