Forbidden Fruit (gxg)

Part 24

The wedding venue was absolutely stunning.

My sister, Alyssa, had a really nice wedding. It was on the beach, and then at a convention hall down in Cape May right after, but this wedding that I went to with Kori was positively grand.

The room in which the ceremony was happening had floor to ceiling windows, vaulted ceilings, and their beams cascaded within soft white wisteria and fairy lights that twinkled like stars above. The rows of chairs were all adorned with blush-colored satin bows tied to the back, and there was a grand floral arch at the altar with soft, pastel flowers.

I sat next to Kori and Mike, with Charley on Mike's other side. As the ceremony happened, and vows were read, I learned this was the second marriage for Amanda, the bride, and Ivan, her new husband.

I couldn't help but glance over at Kori as vows were being read.

I wonder if she'd get married again one day?

At one point as I glanced over at Kori, she must've felt my gaze on her, because she glanced back at me and smiled softly.

After the ceremony there was a cocktail hour, which went by quickly as I was introduced to quite a lot of people by Charley. She and the bride were best friends in college. I was nervous that I was going to feel out of place considering I was younger than a lot of the people there, but thankfully I didn't. Especially not with Kori by my side.

Kori held my hand as much as possible, keeping me by her side.

At one point toward the end of cocktail hour I turned to Kori and smiled, "This is really nice. I'm glad to be here with you."

Kori smiled back at me, "I'm so glad you were able to come with me, Ash. This would've been quite boring without you to be honest."

I laughed, "Even in this gorgeous venue?"

Kori gave me a meaningful look and said, "Not any more gorgeous than the lady standing next to me."

Inside the ballroom was dazzled with chandeliers, casting a glow on the wood flooring. The tables were draped in ivory silk, with floral centerpieces containing white roses and peonies, interspersed with tea candles in holders that made the tables look positively dreamy.

Everyone was assigned seats, and I was between Kori and Charley.

Charley looked great in a wine red dress, and I complimented her.

"Thanks so much, Ashley!" she said, "You look stunning as well, my sister has good taste. You know, I can't remember the last time I was able to get all dolled up like this. It feels good."

"Thank you," I smiled at Charley, "I'm sure it's tough to find time with the kids."

"Delilah and Elliot sure are a handful," Charley rolled her eyes but smiled.

"Hey, if you ever need a date night with Mike one night I'd be happy to babysit them," I suggested.

Charley's eyes widened, "Really? I might have to take you up on that. You were so good with them at the bakery."

"I love kids." I said to Charley, "I wouldn't mind at all."

A few moments later, Kori said to me, "I hope you don't mind, when I was told that I could bring you with me, I had to tell Amanda which entree you would want. I went with the salmon out of that, chicken, and steak. Is that okay?"

"You know me well, that's exactly what I would have chosen," I said to Kori.

"I thought so," Kori nodded, "That's what I chose as well."