As a professional, I couldn’t help but critique it, and Julian noticed my expression.
«Not up to your standards?»
«It’s beautiful, but beauty isn’t everything. The execution is off, the chocolate is masking the raspberry instead of complementing it, and the texture is too dense.»
«Could you do better?»
«In my sleep.» The words came out more confident than I felt, but they were true. I might be the family disappointment in every other area, but in the kitchen, I knew my worth.
«I believe you,» Julian said simply.
After dessert, the reception transitioned into the dancing portion of the evening. Victoria and Gregory took the floor for their first dance, swirling together under perfect lighting while a live band played a romantic ballad. They looked like something from a magazine, the perfect couple having their perfect moment.
My father cut in for the father-daughter dance, and I watched the two of them move together, remembering the times he’d spun me around our living room when I was small, before the divorce, before everything fell apart. Did Victoria remember those times? Did she ever think about the family we used to be?
Julian stood and offered his hand. «Dance with me?»
«You don’t have to keep playing the attentive date, I’m fine.»
«I know I don’t have to. I want to. Besides, I’m a terrible dancer, and I need someone to step on who won’t sue me.»
I let him lead me onto the dance floor. He wasn’t terrible at all. He was quite good, actually, leading with confidence while keeping a respectful distance. We swayed to the music, and I found myself relaxing into the rhythm, into the moment.
«Thank you,» I said quietly. «For tonight, for sitting with me, for the whole fake date thing. You didn’t have to do any of this.»
«Maybe I wanted to. You’re interesting, Elizabeth. More interesting than anyone else at this wedding.»
«You barely know me.»
«I know enough. I know you’re talented and underappreciated. I know you see through the superficial nonsense that most people accept without question. I know you’re hurt, but you’re trying not to show it, and that takes strength.»
His words hit something deep inside me, a place I’d been protecting all evening. My eyes burned with unshed tears, and I blinked rapidly, refusing to cry at my sister’s wedding. The song ended and transitioned into something more upbeat.
Other couples joined the dance floor, and Julian guided us to the edge, away from the crowd.
«I need some air,» I admitted.
«Let’s go outside.»
We slipped out of the ballroom onto a terrace that overlooked the gardens. The evening air was cool and welcome after the warmth of the crowded reception. Fairy lights twinkled in the trees, creating a magical atmosphere that felt at odds with the turmoil inside me.
«I shouldn’t have come,» I said, leaning against the terrace railing. «I knew it would be like this, but some part of me hoped it would be different. That maybe Victoria would remember we’re sisters. That maybe she’d want me here for real, and not just to check a box on her obligation list.»
Julian stood beside me, his shoulder touching mine. «Family can be the most complicated relationship we have. We’re bound to them by blood. But that doesn’t guarantee love or respect, or even basic consideration.»
«You sound like you’re speaking from experience.»
«My father and I haven’t spoken in three years. He had very specific plans for my life, and when I chose a different path, he made it clear I was no longer the son he wanted. So yes, I understand what it feels like to be the disappointment.»
I turned to look at him, seeing new layers in his expression. «I’m sorry. That must have been painful.»
«It was. It is. But I learned something important from it. The people who are supposed to love us unconditionally are still people, with their own limitations and prejudices and failures. Sometimes, the family we choose matters more than the family we’re born into.»
«Is that what tonight is? You choosing to be kind to a stranger?»
«Maybe it started that way, but you’re not a stranger anymore, Elizabeth, and this isn’t just kindness.»
There was something in his voice, something that made my heart beat faster. Before I could respond, the terrace doors opened and a group of guests spilled out, laughing and talking. The moment broke, and Julian stepped back slightly.
«We should probably go back inside. I think they’re about to cut the cake.»
The cake-cutting ceremony was everything I expected. More photos, more speeches, more perfect moments carefully choreographed for maximum impact. Victoria fed Gregory a small bite with delicate precision, and he returned the gesture with equal care.
No smashed cake in faces, nothing undignified. Perfect control, as always. As servers distributed slices of the wedding cake, I noticed my mother making her way through the crowd, stopping to chat with various guests.
She was in her element, basking in the reflected glory of her daughter’s successful wedding. When her gaze finally landed on me, surprise flickered across her features, followed quickly by disapproval. She approached our table with measured steps, her smile tightening as she drew closer.
«Elizabeth, I didn’t expect to see you sitting here. This table was reserved for Gregory’s business associates.»
«There was a seating mix-up,» Julian said smoothly before I could respond. «I’m Julian, one of Gregory’s renewable energy consultants. Elizabeth and I are here together.»
My mother’s gaze swept over Julian, taking in his expensive suit and confident demeanor. I could see her recalculating, reassessing my presence based on the caliber of my companion. «I see. Well, it’s lovely to meet you, Julian. I’m Eleanor, Victoria’s mother.»
She emphasized the words as if to remind me of my place in the hierarchy. «I wasn’t aware Elizabeth was seeing anyone.»
«We’ve been keeping things quiet,» Julian replied, his hand finding mine on the table. «Elizabeth is quite private about her personal life.»
«Yes, she is.» Eleanor’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. «Elizabeth, dear, I hope you’re enjoying the wedding. Victoria worked so hard to make everything perfect.»
«It’s beautiful,» I said, forcing the words out. «She must be very happy.»
«She is. Gregory is exactly the kind of man I always hoped she’d marry. Successful, established, from a good family. It’s everything a mother could want for her daughter.»
The unspoken comparison hung in the air between us. Unlike you, who works in a bakery and lives alone and has nothing to show for your life. Julian’s grip on my hand tightened slightly, a silent show of support.
«Elizabeth was just telling me about her work as a pastry chef. It sounds incredibly demanding. Not everyone has the talent or discipline to succeed in that field.»
Eleanor’s expression flickered with annoyance at having her implied criticism deflected. «Yes, well, we all have our different paths. I should get back to the other guests. Do try to enjoy yourself, Elizabeth.»
She swept away, leaving a trail of expensive perfume and maternal disappointment in her wake.
«That was unpleasant,» Julian observed, once she was out of earshot.
«That was my mother on a good day. You should see her when she’s really trying to make a point.»
«I’m starting to understand why you were sitting behind that pillar.»
The evening wore on. The band played, people danced, drinks flowed freely. Victoria and Gregory made their rounds, thanking guests for coming and accepting congratulations.
I watched them work the room with practiced efficiency, noting how they spent more time with some guests than others, how they carefully maintained the hierarchy of importance. They reached our table eventually, Gregory leading with a politician’s smile. Up close, I could see he was handsome in a conventional way, with the kind of features that photographed well but lacked character.
His handshake was firm but perfunctory when Julian introduced himself. Then Victoria’s eyes landed on me, and something complex passed across her face. Surprise, definitely. Discomfort, perhaps.
She’d probably forgotten I was even here, tucked away in my assigned corner where I couldn’t interfere with her perfect day.
«Elizabeth, you look lovely,» she said, her voice carrying that careful politeness people use with acquaintances they don’t quite remember.
«Thank you. The wedding is beautiful, Victoria. Congratulations.»
«I’m so glad you could make it, and I see you’ve met some of Gregory’s colleagues.» Her gaze slid to Julian with curiosity. «I don’t believe we’ve been introduced.»
«Julian. I work with Gregory on sustainability initiatives for Bennett Health Solutions, and I have the pleasure of being Elizabeth’s date this evening.»
Victoria’s eyes widened slightly. This was clearly news to her. «Oh, I didn’t realize you were seeing anyone, Elizabeth. How wonderful.»
The way she said it, with that slight emphasis on the word «wonderful,» suggested she found it more surprising than wonderful. As if she couldn’t quite believe someone like Julian would be interested in someone like me.
«We’ve been dating for a few months,» Julian continued, his arm sliding around my waist in a gesture that looked natural and possessive. «Elizabeth is remarkable. I count myself lucky she tolerates my workaholic tendencies.»
«How nice,» Victoria said, though her smile had frozen slightly. «Well, we should continue making our rounds. So many people to thank. But let’s catch up properly soon, Elizabeth. I feel like we haven’t really talked in ages.»
They moved on, and I released a breath I didn’t know I’d been holding.
«That was surreal.»
«She seemed surprised to see you looking happy.»
«Victoria isn’t used to me having anything she might consider valuable, including a handsome date who impresses her in-laws.»
«So you think I’m handsome?» Julian’s eyes danced with amusement.
«Don’t let it go to your head. You’re objectively attractive. It’s not a personal observation.»
«Of course not. Purely objective.»
Around ten in the evening, the wedding coordinator made an announcement that the bride and groom would be leaving shortly. Guests were invited to line up outside with sparklers for the send-off. I debated skipping this part, but Julian convinced me to participate.
«You came this far. Might as well see it through to the end.»
We stood in line as sparklers were distributed, and when Victoria and Gregory emerged from the venue, we held our sparkling lights high along with everyone else. They ran through the corridor of light, laughing and waving, before climbing into a luxury car that would take them to their honeymoon suite at the resort.
As the car pulled away, taillights disappearing into the night, I felt a strange sense of finality. The wedding was over. Victoria had gotten her perfect day, her perfect marriage, her perfect life. And I had stood witness to it all from my position on the margins, exactly where she wanted me.
Guests began dispersing, some heading to their rooms at the resort, others moving toward the parking lot. Julian and I lingered on the steps, neither of us quite ready to acknowledge that the evening was ending.
«Can I walk you to your car?» he asked.
«I’m actually staying at the resort tonight, room 314. I figured it would be easier than driving back to Denver this late.» I hesitated, then added, «What about you?»
«Same, room 209. My colleague had already booked the room before he got sick, so it seemed wasteful not to use it.»
We walked slowly through the gardens, following the lit path back toward the main resort building. The night air had cooled further, and I shivered slightly in my thin dress. Julian immediately shrugged out of his suit jacket and draped it over my shoulders.
A gesture so classic and unexpected that I almost laughed. «You don’t have to do that. I’m fine.»
«Humor me. I was raised with old-fashioned manners, and my mother would haunt me if I let you freeze.»
His jacket was warm, and smelled like expensive cologne mixed with something uniquely him. I pulled it closer, grateful for both the warmth and the excuse to keep something of his with me a little longer.
«Thank you,» I said. «For everything tonight. You turned what could have been a miserable evening into something almost bearable.»
«Just bearable? I’ll have to work on my fake dating skills.»
«Okay, better than bearable. Surprisingly pleasant in parts.»
«That’s more like it.» He stopped walking, turning to face me. «Elizabeth, I know tonight started as a strategic alliance between two wedding outcasts, but I want you to know it became more than that for me. You’re genuinely interesting, funny, talented, and far too good for people who can’t see your worth.»
His words wrapped around something fragile inside me, something I’d been protecting for too long.
«Julian, I… I know we just met. I know this is strange timing, but I’d like to see you again. After tonight. After this wedding. In the real world where we’re just two people without assigned seating charts and family drama.»
I wanted to say yes immediately. Every instinct told me this man was different. That this connection was real despite the unusual circumstances. But doubt crept in.
The voice that sounded suspiciously like my mother reminding me that men like Julian didn’t date women like me. That this was probably just kindness extended through one evening and nothing more.
«You don’t have to say that just because you felt sorry for me tonight.»
«I’m not. I’m saying it because I spent the evening with someone I genuinely enjoyed, and I want more evenings like that. Because you make me laugh and think and feel less alone in crowded rooms. Because when I look at you, I see someone worth knowing better.»
He paused, vulnerability crossing his features. «But if you’re not interested, I understand. I don’t want to push.»
«I am interested,» I admitted, the words rushing out before I could second guess them. «I just don’t want to get my hopes up about something that might disappear in the morning light.»
«Then let’s make sure it doesn’t disappear. Have breakfast with me tomorrow. The resort has a decent restaurant, and we can talk without tuxedos and wedding stress. What do you say?»
«Breakfast sounds good.»
His smile was genuine and relieved. «Nine o’clock? I’ll meet you in the lobby.»
We’d reach the entrance to the resort. The lobby beyond was quiet, most guests having already retired to their rooms. This was the moment where the evening would officially end, where we’d go our separate ways, and I’d be alone with the weight of everything I’d witnessed and endured.
Julian seemed reluctant to leave, too. He stood close, his hand still holding mine, his eyes searching my face as if trying to memorize it. «Good night, Elizabeth. I’m glad I crashed your sister’s wedding.»
«I’m glad you did, too. Good night, Julian.»
He leaned in slowly, giving me time to pull away if I wanted. I didn’t want. His lips met mine in a kiss that was gentle and questioning, and somehow exactly right.
It lasted only a moment before he pulled back, his thumb brushing my cheek. Then he was walking away toward the elevators, and I was standing alone in the lobby wearing his jacket and touching my lips and wondering what exactly had just happened.
I made my way to my room in a daze. The space was nice, decorated in neutral tones with a view of the gardens. I hung Julian’s jacket carefully in the closet, changed into my pajamas, and collapsed onto the bed.
My phone buzzed with a text from Victoria. «Thanks for coming tonight. It meant a lot to have you there.»
I stared at the message for a long moment. It meant a lot. Really. Was that why she’d relegated me to the worst seat in the house?
Why she’d never mentioned having a sister? Why she’d looked surprised to find me at a decent table during the reception? I typed and deleted several responses before settling on something non-committal.
«Congratulations again. The wedding was beautiful.»
She responded immediately. «We should definitely get together when I’m back from the honeymoon. I want to hear all about your new boyfriend. He seems very successful.»
Of course that’s what she’d taken away from the evening. Not that I’d been there supporting her, not that we’d barely spoken all night, but that I’d shown up with an impressive date. That was the only thing that made me visible to her.
I didn’t respond. Instead, I set my phone aside and stared at the ceiling, processing the emotional whiplash of the entire day. I’d come to this wedding expecting to feel like an outsider, and I’d been proven right in the worst ways.
