CHAPTER ONE
Liam
The clink ofa fork against a champagne flute rang out across the ballroom, catching everyone’s attention.Conversations faded, laughter dimmed, and two hundred heads turned toward the front of the room where the maid of honor stood beaming beside Fallon, the bride, who was also my new sister-in-law.
“Hello, everyone,” the maid of honor said with cheerful enthusiasm.“For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Brooke, Fallon’s best friend.I’ve known her for a long time, and I can honestly say I’ve never seen her as happy as she’s been since she met Noah.”
I glanced down the table where I was seated as one of the groomsmen, my gaze shifting to my brother, Noah, as I absently swirled the champagne in my glass.His usually composed, uptight expression had softened.His eyes were on Fallon like she was the only thing in the room worth seeing.To him, she probably was.The free-spirited painter had cracked open something in my older brother that none of us knew was there.She’d been good for him.Anyone could see that, even a cynic like me.
That didn’t mean I bought into the wholehappily ever afternarrative.
Brooke’s speech went on, her voice growing more sentimental by the minute as she started waxing poetic aboutsoulmatesandtrue loveandfinding your other half.All the things I no longer believed in.
“Fallon and Noah might seem like opposites,” Brooke said, her voice filled with affection, “but anyone who knows them can see they fit together perfectly.So, I’d like to raise a glass to my best friend and the one person in the world who completes her.To Fallon and Noah.”
We all sipped our champagne, and I smirked at my other brother, Simon, in a way that communicated my skepticism.He shook his head, his mouth twitching as if he wanted to laugh but didn’t dare.Smart man.
We were both groomsmen, but Noah had appointed his friend, Michael, as the best man because he hadn’t wanted to choose between brothers.Whatever his reasons, I was grateful.Simon wasn’t the sentimental speech type, and I certainly didn’t believe in the forever kind of love that Brooke had talked about.
Still, I was genuinely happy for Noah.He adored Fallon, and while romantic love might not be for everyone, it brought out a side of him that was worth celebrating.
The best man’s speech came next, mercifully shorter and far less emotional.He cracked a few well-aimed jokes about Fallon being the only person capable of removing the stick that Noah used to have up his ass, drawing laughter from everyone, then wished the couple well with a sincere smile.
Dinner resumed, which was gourmet and delicious.The whole wedding was a sophisticated affair.A jazz band set up in the corner of the room started playing soft, sultry notes that filled the space without overwhelming conversation.
“Lighten up,” Simon said from beside me, nudging my arm.“You look like you’re calculating the ROI on their marriage.”
His comment was comical, because if there was anyone in the world that needed tolighten up,it was him.Simon was a grump most of the time, and I would know.He wasn’t just my brother; he was my business partner in our investment firm—strategic, ruthless, brilliant, and a complete pain in the ass.I knew how controlling and cantankerous he could be, both in his personal life and in business.But our dynamic worked because we balanced each other out; his control-freak tendencies versus my easygoing pragmatism.
“You know weddings bring out the worst in me,” I said, swirling the last of the champagne in my glass.
Understanding flashed in Simon’s eyes.We didn’t discuss what happened with Ivy.It was an unspoken rule in our family.My brother might have believed I was over it, but I doubted I ever would be.I hated how much power that one incident still had over me and my ability to commit again to any woman.
“It’s been three years,” Simon said quietly, his tone careful.Not pushing…just observing.
I stiffened.“I know how long it’s been.”
He was silent for a moment, then leaned back in his chair.“You don’t have to stay for the whole reception, you know.Noah won’t hold it against you.”
I glanced at him, surprised.Simon wasn’t usually one to give me an out.“Really?Mr.‘By the Book’ is telling me I can bail?”
He shrugged.“I’m saying you’ve done your duty.Stood up for Noah at the ceremony, smiled for the photos, sat through dinner and the toasts.”He paused, his voice dropping lower.“No one expects you to stay and torture yourself.”
The understanding in his tone—rare for Simon—made my chest tighten.“I’m happy for him,” I said and meant it.“I am.It’s just…”
“Hard to watch,” Simon finished when I didn’t.
“Yeah.”
He nodded slowly, studying me with those sharp, analytical eyes that missed nothing.“For what it’s worth, not everyone gets their happy ending the first, or even second, time around.But that’s not to say Noah doesn’t deserve his.”
“I know that.”I set my glass down, jaw tightening.“I’m not that much of a bastard.”
“Didn’t say you were.”Simon’s mouth curved into something that almost resembled a smile.“But you’re allowed to feel however you feel about it.Just maybe don’t let Mom catch you sneaking out early.She’ll guilt-trip you for the next six months.”
That pulled a genuine laugh from me.“Noted.”
“And Liam?”He waited until I met his eyes.“One bad investment doesn’t mean you write off the whole market.”
