Today was supposed to be a happy day. It was your sister's wedding and you were the maid of honor. She'd had been waiting to marry her fiancé for four years and you should've been ecstatic but it was hard after the month you'd had.
"You okay?" Your sister asked you from her spot in the hair stylists chair. She reached across the small
divide to where you were sat getting your makeup done and took your hand in hers.
You nodded and forced a smile on to your face, desperate to not ruin her perfect day with your own relationship issues.
"Yeah, I'm fine." You promised her with a squeeze of her hand.
"You don't have to lie." She told you, always able to cut through your bullshit. The two of you had always been close. "Any man stupid enough to cheat on my sister, never deserved your time anyways." She said emphatically, her eyes boring straight through you until her gaze was too intense and you had to look away.
You wanted to agree but the scars of your heartbreak still felt a little too fresh.
"Promise me something." She said and you turned back to her, offering a subtle nod, all the agreement you could muster. "Promise me you'll try to have a good time tonight, okay?"
You smiled softly, promising you'd at least try, though you didn't know if happy was an emotion you were capable of at the moment.
•
The ceremony was beautiful, the smile that painted your face as your sister said I do the first genuine one you'd managed in weeks and after the pictures were done you felt a bit more—free, as you headed for the reception.
Her fiancé was in the music business, a studio producer with a vast back catalogue of artists and so because of that the reception was dotted with some of musics biggest names. It was a bit intimidating but you tried not to be distracted by the household names in attendance and instead focus on the friends and family that were scattered throughout the crowd.
The time for the bouquet toss came and you took your spot amongst the other single ladies, stunned into silence when it fell directly into your hands. Your sister turned around, a wide grin on her face before rushing forward to hug you.
"I'd accuse you of planning this, but I know how bad your throwing aim is." You teased as you pulled apart and it was time for the gentleman to catch the garter.
A small crowd of men gathered on the dance floor and when the undergarment was caught, a man with bright red hair slicked back, stood grinning holding it above his head in victory.
The two of you stood for a picture with your sister and her groom before the man turned to you.
"So, fellow talented catcher, wanna dance?"
He oozed confidence and charisma, his voice deep and with the hint of an accent you vaguely recognized. He was handsome and you were in no position to deny him.
"Sure." You heard yourself say, accepting his hand as he pulled you into the dance floor.
"I'm Ashton by the way." He told you and you replied with your own name.
A soft song started and your hands rested on his shoulders as he held your waist. He chuckled and shot a gaze over to the DJ booth where a blonde man grinned widely back at the pair of you, clearly amused by something.
"What's so funny?" You asked.
"Do you know this song?" He replied, answering your question with another.
You listens for a moment and shook your head no.
"I'll try not to be too offended." He said. "It's my band."
"Your band?"
He nodded. "Yeah, Five Seconds of Summer?" He said, searching your eyes for any hint of recognition.
"Oh, okay! I heard some stuff when Paul was working with you guys. It's good."
"Glad you like it." He said sincerely. "I'd have been a bit disappointed if the girl I'm trying to flirt with didn't like our music."
"You're trying time flirt with me?" You asked confused. You handy been single in so long that if he'd been flirting you had been oblivious.
"Yeah, is it working?"
"I—I don't know. Sorry, I've been out of the game for too long." You said, your cheeks turning a bright red as your embarrassment hit.
"Oh shit, you are single right? I'm so sorry. I just didn't see anyone with you and assum-"
"It's fine." You said taking a breath, "I'm single." Your chest deflated at the admission. "It's pretty new. I was in a relationship for like three years and it just ended a month ago."
"Fuck, I'm so sorry." He said, his words genuine. "Can I get you a drink? Sounds like you could use one."
You contemplated for a moment before finally agreeing and letting him lead you towards the bar.
"What'll it be?"
"Sex on the beach?" You say to the bar tender.
"Already? Damn take me on a date first at least." Ashton laughed.
You grinned and shoved at his shoulder lightly, his own drink coming out only a moment before yours.
He grabbed your hand gently and led you to a high top table that was empty.
"So, how do you know the bride? You're the maid of honor so I assume you know her well."
"She's my big sister."
"Ah, that makes sense. Obviously I know Paul from the studio." He said simply and you nodded having put that together earlier.
The two of you fell into easy conversation, something that was rare for you with new people. Something about Ashton made you feel inherently calm and comfortable though and it was incredibly intriguing.
By the time the dance floor cleared and his band came to look for him you were reluctant to say goodbye.
"Could I see you again?" He asked nervously, the tips of his ears red and giving him away.
"I think I'd love that." You replied softly.
His face lit up at your reply, your eyes locked as he slowly moved towards you, his breath caught in his throat as he dipped his head and pressed his lips to yours in a soft and chaste kiss.
"I'll look forward to it." He said, his number scribbled on a cocktail napkin that he pressed into your hand before following his friends out to their car.
You watched him go, hoping that tonight had only been the beginning of a beautiful story that was still to be written.
"You having a good time?" Your sister asked, wandering up and throwing her arm across your shoulder, her lips turning up in a knowing smile as she spotted the mass of red hair walking away and your eyes trailing after him.
"The best."
An: thank you to @ellieholland973 for the request! Requests are open!
Thinking this one might need a Part 2 🤔 what do you guys think?
Ily,
Sav 🖤
