Chapter 29
Eve moved through the guests at the reception, smiling and nodding at the people she knew, fielding compliments on her flouncy dress with grace and gratitude. As Mr. Perez had promised, she had more than enough room to eat and dance.
She stopped next to Jackson, who was standing in a corner, scanning the crowd as if he were mentally calculating how quickly he could get out of there and back to his room. Which probably wasn’t far from the truth.
He gave her a nod. “How are you holding up?” she asked.
“I’m surviving. I hate people. You?”
“I’m surviving. People are tolerable.”
They grinned at each other. The reception wasn’t as crowded as a Chandler and Kane event could have been. Nicholas and Livvy had tried to keep the wedding to around one hundred guests, which was the lowest they could get away with once they accounted for the extended Chandler clan and business partners Nicholas couldn’t snub.
Not that either bride or groom was interested in talking to anyone. They’d accepted everyone’s well-wishes, but they’d been on the dance floor more often than not, lost in each other’s eyes and arms.
“Everyone’s complimenting the food,” Eve said.
Jackson inclined his head arrogantly, like compliments on his food were to be expected. And maybe they were. “I could have made a better cake.”
“I’m sure you could have. But I’m glad you didn’t have to worry about one more task. You should get to enjoy yourself a little.”
“I’ll dance with Sadia once she’s done micromanaging everything. That’s all I want to do.” He nodded at Nicholas and Livvy. “Their vows were nice. Your brother’s okay.”
Eve hid her smile, lest Jackson think she was laughing at him. This was high praise. “Thank you, Jackson. I promise, he grows on you.”
“Like a fungus.”
“Yes, but a kind, gentle, loving fungus.”
Kareem scurried up to them, chocolate covering half his face. His puppy was flopped under the table at Tani and Sonya’s feet, worn out, but the child looked nowhere near ready to call it quits from the party. “Uncle Jackson, Auntie Ariel is here.” He pointed to a handsome red-haired woman bearing down on them.
Jackson straightened, then looked over his shoulder. “Good job, Kareem. Did you do what I asked?”
“Yup.” Kareem ran away, hailed by some of his cousins.
Eve eyed Jackson curiously, but he was busy with his business partner and manager. Eve shook off his odd behavior and smiled, greeting Ariel warmly.
The redhead wore a chic strapless emerald dress that set her coloring off to perfection. “What a lovely wedding,” Ariel said to Eve, her British accent softened from years of travel. “The bride and groom look resplendent and this home is gorgeous. The surrounding land reminds me of home. Thank you so much for inviting me.”
“Uh-huh.” Jackson checked over his shoulder again.
Eve cleared her throat. “Did you get a chance to look at the gardens?”
“I did, yes, before the ceremony. I was hoping to take a closer look at the roses.”
“There’s a path out to that section of the garden, if you’d like me to show you.”
“No! Not yet. Stay here.”
She and Ariel stared at Jackson, who scowled at them. The man’s scowl instantly cleared when he looked over Ariel’s shoulder. “Aunt Maile.”
Maile joined them and gave her nephew a quizzical look. While Tani had chosen a conservative gray mother-of-the-bride ensemble, Maile wore bright red, an off-the-shoulder gown that showcased her powerful and statuesque figure. “Kareem said you were looking for me?”
“Yes.” Jackson drew his aunt closer and then turned to his business partner. “Ariel, this is my aunt Maile.”
Ariel’s eyes had widened. Her fingers fluttered to the base of her throat. “Oh, hello.”
Maile blinked, and then blinked again. She rallied quickly, holding out her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you finally. I’ve heard so many good things about you.”
