Chapter 28 A Night To Remember

It was the big night, the night of the rehearsal dinner which meant I would be seeing all of my family members who surely would have something to critique.

I looked at myself in the full length mirror in my room, straightening out my dress.

A knock sounded on the door before Wes stepped into the room. He leaned against the doorframe, a grin playing on his lips.

I quirked an eyebrow, watching him through the mirror. "A picture lasts longer."

Wes chuckled softly. "I don't need a picture when this image is engraved in my head forever."

My face flushed, heat rising up my face. I glanced back to look at myself, feeling like I would melt under his gaze if I kept my eyes locked with his any longer. "Don't tell me I look that bad, so bad it'll be etched in your brain forever."

Wes rolled his eyes playfully as he started to walk towards me. "You could never look bad, sweetheart. Not even if you tried."

I felt a shiver go down my spine, hearing his low voice speak in a hushed manner. I exhaled deeply, trying my hardest not to look at him.

"Need some help with this?" Wes lifted a necklace off my dresser, holding it up.

I nodded, offering him a small smile. "Yeah, actually. Thank you."

Wes licked his lips, slowly closing the distance between us. He stood directly behind me, his chest almost touching my back.

He slowly lifted a hand to move my hair in front of one shoulder, his fingers lightly grazing my bare neck. I clenched my fists to stop myself from shivering from his touch, the proximity and heat making my stomach flutter.

Wes put the necklace around my neck, clasping it. He let his fingers hover at the back of my neck for a moment longer, staring right at me through the mirror.

The hair on the back of my neck pricked up from the feeling of his warm breath fanning my skin. I felt like I was about to melt, my heart rate speeding.

I inhaled through my nose, looking at his beautiful eyes that were filled with life.

"You look beautiful, Fia." His voice was soft, quiet. His eyes didn't dare to leave mine for a second. His eyes were so deep and sure, I was scared to look away.

I let out a shaky breath. "Thank you."

Wes paused for a moment, clenching his teeth before he finally took a step back and brought space between us.

I turned to face him, looking down at my hands because I was scared to look at him right now. "Tonight could be good. More likely, it'll be a mess."

When I looked at him, he was smiling warmly. "I promise I will do my best to keep you calm."

"My hero," I grinned. "As long as I get enough alcohol in my system, I should be fine."

Wes grinned as he held out his hand. "Ready?"

I nodded firmly, placing my hand in his. "As I'll ever be."

Wes and I got to the location the rehearsal dinner was being held at, instantly offered drink by my cousins who knew this night was going to be long.

"Fia," my mother offered me a distant hug, kissing each one of my cheeks. She turned to Weston, taking in his appearance. "Weston. It's nice to see you both."

I forced a smile onto my face. "You as well, mother. You look good."

She kept a tight-lipped smile on her face. "Your hair does look better when it's up but you look fine, dear."

I inhaled deeply through my nose, downing the rest of my champagne. "I need another drink." I quickly pulled Wes along with me, dashing away from my mother.

Wes let out a sharp breath. "Wow, we just walked in."

"And if we chatted to her a minute longer, she would have torn away at everything else about me that is wrong." I couldn't help the bitterness in my tone.

Wes placed a hand on my arm and turned me to face him. He placed his hand on my cheek, cupping one side of my face. "There is nothing nearly close to wrong with you, Fia. You are amazing and you look like a goddess. Remember that."

My heart skipped at a beat at his words. I exhaled slowly. "Thank you. Really, I am so glad that you're here."

"I wouldn't want to be anywhere else." He took the new champagne glass out of my hand and placed it down on a table. "But let's pace ourselves, okay?"

I sighed, nodding my head lifelessly. "Fine. I can try to do that."

Not soon after that, I stood in front of my grandparents with my hand clutching onto Wes's so tightly, I was afraid he would lose blood circulation.

My grandma placed her hands on either one of my arms, looking me up and down. "My dear, you have grown so much. Your dress seems a little too tight, no?"

I inhaled sharply, trying my hardest to keep my calm. "I suppose that's a matter of opinion, grandmother."

She sighed softly. "Deary, do you eat enough fruits? Your looking a little pale. You know I always tell you how nice and pink fruits will make your cheeks and lips."

I tilted my head, keeping a forced smile on my face. "I eat enough fruits, grandmother."

"Wha-"

"Dear," my grandfather placed his hand on her shoulder, cutting her off because stepping in front of me himself. "You look very lovely, Fia. You've grown into a beautiful young women."

My smile turned heartfelt as my grandfather hugged me. "Thanks, gramps. You looks dashing yourself."

"Now, are you going to introduce me to this young man?" He pulled away from me and turned to look at Wes, a playful grin on his face.

My grandma on the other hand was already busy elsewhere as she found herself some more wine.

"This is my boyfriend, Wes."

"Weston Hamilton, sir. It's a pleasure to meet you." Wes firmly shook my gramps hug but my grandfather had quickly pulled him into a hug.

"You as well, son. You two make a lovely couple. Please tell me you'll bring me some grandchildren before my time comes."

I looked at my gramps with wide eyes, my whole face flushing at him comment. I gaped, unable to speak.

"One day, sir." Wes chuckled softly, squeezing my hand gently to pull me back into my senses. "I think I'd still love some time to continue getting to know your granddaughter before we go there."

My gramps chuckled softly, nodding his head. "Very well. You two still have a lot of time, unlike myself. Enjoy that time together."

My gramps kissed my forehead before excusing himself. "I should find your grandmother before she drinks herself to sleep in the middle of the dinner."

I exhaled slowly, turning to look at Wes. "I'm so sorry you have to deal with all this. I know it's a lot."

Wes shook his head frantically. "No, no. I'm having a good time, Fia."

I gave him a dull look. "Being encouraged to give my gramps grandchildren, Wes? Not exactly the picture of fun for someone like you."

Wes quirked an eyebrow. "What are you implying when you say someone like me?"

I shrugged softly, looking down at my hands that Wes was holding. "I don't know..." I drawled. "I mean, I'm sure you'd be having a better time at some frat party with the boys."

Wes chuckled deeply. "Oh, Fia. You underestimate my ability to adapt. I am enjoying myself and not everyone in your family is all so bad. Plus, if I get to be your date, I'm satisfied."

I couldn't help but snort. "Seriously? Not like you're getting any action, Wes."

A challenging glint crossed through Wes's eyes as his lip turned up into a smirk. He took a step closer to me, removing the space between us. He looked down at me, his breath fanning my face. "We could easily change that, sweetheart."

My heart felt like it fell to the pit of my stomach, my mouth left agape. My face was now on fire, my whole body tingling.

I cleared my throat, stepping away from him and avoiding his gaze. "We should go get introductions with my aunts over with. They're even more evil than my mother."

Without waiting for Wes, I reluctantly skipped towards my aunts. I needed to get out of that situation with Wes, already having my head clouded after our shared kiss.

Wes laughed behind me, following me over to my other family members.

By the time I had gotten through seeing half of my family members, I had enough alcohol in my system to make my head start to sway. By the time we had gone through talking to the rest of my family, I had enough to drink to make me giddy and happy, regardless of what my family had to say to me.

I heard countless remarks from all of my aunts about my skin being too pale or my hair not looking nice, that I looked too skinny or too chubby. It went on and on and on but Wes clutched onto my hand and kept me at bay.

Nothing I could do would please anyone anyways. The alcohol also did wonders at helping me keep myself calm and collected.

I swayed lightly on the dance floor with Sage, both of us having drank more than we should have.

"You're so lucky, Fi."

I quirked an eyebrow, holding both of Sage's hands as we swayed to the music together. "I am? That's hard to believe, Sage."

She laughed softly, shaking her head. "I meant with Wes. I want that type of love, you know? You two just work so well together, you're happy and it's all so easy."

I pursed my lips, squinting my eyes as I thought. Sage was right. Even as friends, everything was so easy and perfect with Wes. "I'm really glad I met him, Sage. I know one day you'll meet someone just like him, someone who makes you feel noticed and special."

Sage smiled warmly. "I hope so. I'm glad you're happy, Fi."

I scrunched my nose, smiling cheekily. My chest was bubbling with happiness.

"Mind if I cut in?"

I spun around to see Wes. A playful grin was playing on his lips, his eyes twinkling with amusement as he took a look at me.

"Be my guest handsome." Sage let go of my hands, pushing me towards him. "Keep it PG, you two. We have little cousins running around here."

Sage winked as she skipped off to get another drink.

My hands had fallen onto Wes's chest as I looked up at him with my eyes squinted. "I have to admit, you do look fine in a suit, Mr.Hamilton."

Wes grinned down at me, his perfect teeth peaking out. He wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me closer to him. If it weren't for the alcohol, I would be too scared to be this close to him. "If only I could look as good as you always do, Ms.Romero."

My stomach started to flutter and my face, again was washed over with a blush. I whined, hiding my face into his chest.

Wes chuckled, his laugh rumbling his chest. He kept his arms wrapped around me securely, lighting swaying with me to the soft music that was playing.

"Don't tell me you're getting shy on me, Fi."

I groaned into his chest, not lifting my head. He made me feel so fluttery and squirmy and squeamish, his words always melting my heart to the point that I was starting to get scared by how he was making me feel.

Wes was known for being a player, to an extent. He was always good with words, he was charming without having to try.

The reason Wes and I worked so well was because we were friends and I had the specialty of being immune to his charm. Now, I wasn't so sure I could be immune any longer.

Wes nuzzled his head into my hair. "God, Fi." His voice was soft, quiet, yearning. "You're... adorable. You're killing me."

I lifted my head, looking up at him. Wes raised his eyebrows slightly, looking down at me with deep and lively eyes.

I inhaled deeply, my whole body tingling.

Without thinking, I placed my hands on his shoulders and went up on my tippy toes. Wes just stood and peered at me, confused.

I exhaled slowly, not processing what I was doing myself.

And then, I placed my lips on his and kissed him slowly and softly like we were standing in the middle of a snow globe.

Wes's hold tightened on me, one hand on my hip and one on my lower back. He pulled me further into him if it were possibly, his lips moving gently against mine as he kissed me back.

I didn't care to think about what I was doing, I just wanted to kiss him again.

My lips were tingling, my stomach flipping and turning with flutters dancing.

What the hell did I just do?