When our dance is over, I realize a lot of people have been recording it with their phones. Then more dances—with Ted and Andreas—and so many people I’ve never met on Huxley’s side of the family—mainly his brothers and their wives—come over to hug me and welcome me into the family. If they know the real story behind our marriage, they don’t show it. And Griffin, the brother Joey had a lot to say about, doesn’t look like a typical genteel academician. He has a dark, don’t-fuck-with-meexpression. But he hugs me politely and grunts, “Welcome to the family,” without displaying any violent tendencies.
Sebastian’s wife Lucie stares at my ring intently. “Interesting. I love the pearl and the diamonds. These stones are each very unique.”
“They are?” I glance down. The pearl is obvious, but the diamonds look about the same.
“This one is slightly pink, although it’s difficult to tell. And this one in the center is clear. Excellent cut. Sebastian has some of the best designers.” Lucie sounds half proud and half jealous.
When she notices my curious scrutiny, she smiles. “I’m the CEO at Peery Diamonds, and Seb is the CEO at Sebastian Jewelry. Friendly rivals.”
“Were you always friendly?” I ask, slightly amused.
She laughs. “No. We had a rocky period, but we made it work. We’re good now.”
Emma comes over to chat with us, too. “I’m so happy for you both.” She smiles, her eyes warm. “The ceremony was unique, but so typically Huxley. I would’ve been disappointed if he’d done a traditional wedding because that’s just not him. I’m glad he found a woman who understands and accepts that side of him.”
“Thank you,” I say with an easy grin of my own. She has a way of putting people at ease and sliding in little compliments. “I’m so glad you came. Huxley told me you were one of the most amazing people he knows.”
“He did?” She laughs softly. “He’s always so kind.”
“Not kind. Honest,” he says.
Elizabeth hugs me, and her husband Dominic wishes us well. “I always knew you’d buck tradition, and I love it!” she says with a huge grin.
Joey appears and takes a selfie with me. “Amazing, right?” he says with a wistful sigh. “Just the way Ted walked you down like that. It’s a dream come true, Grace. A dream come true.”
Beside me, Huxley sighs.
“I’m sure,” I say, smiling a little at Joey’s absurdity. But he seems to mean well.
“Still got my number, right?” he asks.
I nod.
“Don’t lose it. Like I said, you need that if you want your dreams to come true. I’m the fairy godmother you didn’t know you had.”
Huxley tilts his head down to me. “Didn’t Griffin already come over to introduce himself? I wonder why he’s coming back?”
I turn to look, but don’t see Griffin in the crowd. When I turn back, Joey has vanished.
Huxley shrugs in response to my questioning look. “Maybe an upset stomach?”
Unfortunately, I can’t avoid my so-called family forever. If it had been left up to me, I would’ve made sure they never came anywhere near me or the wedding. But Madison said it’d look terrible if I didn’t have “family” attend the ceremony to wish me and Huxley well. And apparently Huxley signed off on the idea.
Still, it’s unfair that their presence makes me want to hide at my own wedding. The tight set of his jaw shows how displeased Nelson is. He would’ve preferred to marry Viv off, but he has to act like he’s fine with this turn of events. Andreas is watching, and he won’t forgive Nelson if he does anything that damages the alliance between the families.
Not only that, he doesn’t have the courage to approach me when Huxley’s around. He waits until Emma pulls my new husband aside for a moment.What a coward.
“Well, you’ve certainly outdone yourself, marrying into the Huxleys,” he says stiffly. Next to him, Karie chugs down a glass of champagne as though she’s washing away a bad taste in her mouth.
“Parasite, that’s what you are,” Viv says, finally having gotten over her crying fit. Her eyes are bloodshot.
“Scientists say that about fifty-five to sixty percent of a human body is made of water. You must be down to about forty percent by now,” I tell her.
She started sobbing the moment Huxley kissed me. After Ted called her “that crying bitch,” she wailed even louder until everyone moved to the reception.
“How about no more twenty-five thousand dollars for you, huh? You ingrate!” Viv spits.
My throat tightens, and I clench my hands, shaking with resentment and anger. It’s always about my mom’s bill. If that’s how she’s going to be, I can strike back too. After all, admitting to Harvard Law that I took her LSAT means they’ll be rescinding their offer.
