Save the Date (Modern Arrangements, #1)

"Um...thanks. You're not too bad yourself." She winked and smiled. The gesture was so endearing, I cupped her face and kissed her before she could turn away.

After the receiving line, we were rushed around for wedding pictures and then led upstairs to the reception. Our first dance started innocent and routine, but the more I looked at her, the more she captivated me. I began to save to memory the light freckles across her nose and cheeks, the deepness to her hazel eyes, and the way her cherry floral scent filled the air when we spun. I couldn’t help but dip her. She jumped in surprise, but we both started laughing.

Dinner was being served when James felt the need to get up and grab the microphone. I could only imagine what would come out of his mouth. At first, I thought he was actually just going to be nice, then he addressed Lilli. I groaned.

"What –?" Lilli had started to ask what he meant. There was no way I was telling her how everyone found it hilarious that I wouldn’t be having sex with her anytime soon.

"Don’t ask, please." I begged.

"Ok." She agreed with a laugh.

The night was going well. Everyone seemed to be having a good time and soon it was time to cut the cake. Lilli and I stood at a large table, holding handfuls of cake with evil smirks on our faces.

"Don’t mess up her make-up!" Phoebe yelled.

"Yeah, what she said." Lilli said, nodding toward Phoebe.

"Play nice, Lilli." I laughed as our hands approached each other’s face.

Before anyone could say anything else we were shoving cake up each other’s noses and laughing hysterically.

"Kiss her!" the photographer shouted and I didn’t even think twice. Grabbing her by her waist, I pressed our cake covered faces into each other, making sure to greedily lick a little from her mouth. Pulling back, I couldn’t read her expression completely, but I definitely saw a hint of lust. I wanted to kiss her again but she pulled away and started to wipe her face.

Phoebe appeared and pulled her off.

"You two are horrible! Now we need to do a touch up." Phoebe grumbled and hurried them to the restrooms, Lilli laughing the whole way.

Once we were cleaned up and everyone had taken a seat for their cake and other desserts, Lilli and I were called out to the middle of the dance area. It was time to toss the garter. Lilli blushed and covered her face while the DJ’s helper brought a chair out for her to sit on. Lilli sat down. I knelt in front of her.

"Be good." She whispered, playfully scowling at me.

"I’m better than good." Winking, I grasped her ankle. She gasped at my touch and I couldn’t help but feel smug by her reaction.

I slid my fingers up her calf. She shivered. I reveled in the feeling. Moving one hand behind her knee I brought the other up the side and started to move toward her thigh, she shifted a little. Bringing both hands smoothly up her thigh, I went a little further than the garter belt, caressing her skin.

"Aidan," she whispered a warning.

I smirked and grabbed the garter, slipping it down and off of her leg.

The single men lined up and I tossed it over my shoulder. Turning, I watched it land directly into Dixon’s chest. His reflex was to catch it and that’s what he did. He smiled broadly and put it around his head like a headband while doing a victory dance. Laughing, I shook my head and helped Lilli up from the chair.

"You’re lucky I didn’t kick you in the balls," she said through a plastered smile.

"Aww, come on, how could I resist?" I grinned. She laughed and shook her head.

The night was coming to an end and Lilli was called out to the dance area with all the single ladies. She did a couple of fake tosses before she threw her bouquet. It landed in Maggie’s arms. I could hear Viola laughing beside me from the look on Maggie’s face. Lilli doubled over laughing. Maggie tossed it up in the air and it landed on Celia, who caught it.

Guests were slowly starting to leave. Once it was just down to immediate family, we started to wrap everything up.

Lilli kissed Donald and Sarah goodbye and then moved on to Viola and Liam. She stopped to talk to Celia, Phoebe and Maggie before turning to me.

"Ready?" I asked. She nodded, reluctantly. We climbed quietly into the car that would drive us back to the apartment.

"So, it was a nice evening." I broke the uncomfortable silence.

"Yes, it was. Viola did a great job." She smiled down into her lap.

"Are you okay?"

She snapped her head up quickly. "Yes, of course."

Sighing, I furrowed my brow. I wasn’t completely buying her response. The remainder of the drive home was quiet.

Once we arrived to the apartment we both headed toward our own rooms.

"Lilli?"

She turned at her door and looked at me curiously.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you," I tried to put as much sincerity into my words as possible.

"Sure." She smiled easily and headed into her room, closing the door behind her.

Once in my room, I sat on my bed. So, I’m spending my wedding night alone, great. Sighing, I walked towards the bathroom, stripping my tux off along the way.

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