"What a great place," Cinder said between bites. "Ze'ev and Scarlet told us a few times but we hadn't gotten around to coming here yet."
"Agreed. Thanks for asking us to come." He gave Cress a pointed look. "But don't think I didn't know you were scheming."
Cress smiled innocently, pretending to be engrossed in her last baklava on the plate. "I'm glad you decided to come after all," was all she said.
"Great place, great food, great company. Ah, you're so lucky to have a friend like me," boasted Thorne, earning him an eyeroll from Cinder.
The atmosphere was even more lively than it was before Kai and Cinder arrived. There were more guests even if there were no free tables available anymore. But people seemed happy to stand and the waiters brought them drinks and even some shish kebab.
"I heard that there will be some music tonight," Thorne told them before stealing a decorative blackberry from Cress's plate and plopped it in his mouth. "Which reminds me that we still need to discuss the music for your wedding. We have a DJ and a band on standby and you need to pick-"
"-another time to discuss it. We're here to have fun. No work stuff," Cress told him sternly.
Thorne gave a surprised stutter. "No ... work stuff?" Thorne's hand found her shoulders, pulling her closer to him to scrutinize her. When his eyes drifted briefly to her lips, she quickly rubbed any wayward crumbles away. "Who are you and what have you done to my workaholic partner?"
Cinder nudged at his elbow. "Thorne, stop teasing her."
"Yes, Thorne, stop teasing me." She stuck out her tongue at him and wiggled free. "I'm not a workaholic."
"In comparison to those two"- his head indicated to Cinder and Kai"-maybe not. But you're the one who always talks about her job and whose ideas of fun are pretty much all job-related."
"That's not true. I know how to have fun." But even Cress had to admit, 'fun' was a broad term when it came to her.
Come to think of it, the last few weeks with Thorne? Those were the most fun and carefree she had been in ... a long time, she concluded.
"Ah yes. Cress the comedian." He tugged at one of her long strands of her. "I'm just kidding. I told you, you should have visited us way sooner. It's great to have you here," he added, his voice dropping a little.
He had said it before and Cress was touched by his honest admission. For the first time, it occurred to Cress why so many women were into him. It wasn't about his good looks or smarmy lines. If he wanted to, he could be very sweet and open.
Her cheeks warmed and she averted his gaze when she noticed Kai looking at them with a strange expression.
Cress felt as if she were caught but for what, she couldn't say. She was relieved when some commotion from the other side of the backyard diverted everyone's attention.
Two chairs were pulled up and a man with a guitar took a seat, pulling slightly at the strings. A few of the girls whistled at the tan guy with the long, dark hair, looking every bit the part of a soulful musician with his artsy boho style and dreamy eyes.
She could swear that an eyeroll passed between Kai and Thorne when a few girls next to them swooned loudly.
A woman came up to him, equally pretty with a long, dark braid that reached her waist and they spoke softly among themselves before she took the other chair with a tambourine-like instrument in her hand.
Slowly, silence settled over the backyard until the only thing you could hear was the clinking of glasses and cutlery, a few strums of the guitar and some hushed whispers until finally, the music started.
If Cress had expected traditional folk music, she would have been wrong. The songs the duo had picked were modern, many of which she knew but with a certain twist that came from the acoustic instruments but also the voice of the singer. It was a great mix that worked wonders.
"Amazing, right?" Thorne whispered into Cress ear and the proximity gave her goosebumps.
She could only nod and let her eyes drift to Kai and Cinder who were whispering among themselves.
They looked so in love. And not because they were swooning over each other, making googly eyes at each other. Or because they were holding hands. They looked completely at ease with each other, just happy to be in each other's company.
It occurred to Cress that she and Julian had known each other just as long as Cinder and Kai had. For some reason, she had felt as they had just recently gotten together while Kai and Cinder were years ahead of them but it wasn't true.
Kai had asked Cinder to marry him and Cinder had said yes. Right away. They were only two weeks away from their wedding.
And she and Julian? Why had she not said 'yes' too?
They had the kind of romance she had always dreamed of. A meet-cute. A perfect first date, followed by more amazing dates. Sweet kisses. They were compatible, she knew it. She had wanted, had longed for an epic romance and she had gotten it.
Maybe it was cold feet and nothing more. She could go back, agree to get married and the rest would sort itself out. They would continue as they were now, which was fine, a ring on her finger wouldn't change that.
"Hey, everything alright?"
Cress blinked up at Thorne. "Um, yes. Sorry, just entranced by the music," she said with a quick gesture to the duo but she could hardly see them anymore as a few people had taken to dancing in the free space between the tables and the musicians.
Thorne raised his eyebrow but didn't say anything. "Well, then I'm sure you'll be entranced by my epic dance moves too."
He stood up, his hand raising into her direction. A look of insecurity passed over his features, so quickly she knew she must have imagined it before he grabbed Cinder by her upper arm, yanking her away from Kai. "Come on, Cinder, show me what you learned from Elia," and made their way through the tables towards the other dancing guests.
Even from further away, Cress could see Cinder arguing in embarrassment and chuckled when Thorne ignored any kind of protest. Cinder finally gave in and she and Thorne danced together.
If a little awkwardly.
"You want to test my dancing skills too?" Kai asked from beside her.
Cress waved it away. "I know you're a great dancer. You had lots of lessons." And they had danced at her prom. She remembered that she hadn't made any friends during her last two years in high school and no one guy had asked her to the ball. But when Kai arrived, a dashing gentleman, she had noticed the envious stares and incredulous whispers as they had danced and he had made her night memorable with his kindness.
But Kai had already stood up and held out his hand for her, smiling warmly at her. "I think a reminder would be good. Help me not embarrass myself at my own wedding."
"As if that were possible," Cress said with a laugh but took his offered hand and followed Thorne and Cinder, the latter who looked relieved that they joined.
There was no room for actual dancing steps of any kind but Cress enjoyed the way Kai twirled her ever so often, making her laugh. She even tried to twirl him, and he danced under her much shorter arm with much grace and good humour.
When she glanced at Cinder, the tall girl looked exasperated at Thorne trying to show off and laughed when he winked at her cockily.
A slower song allowed them to chat a little. "I'm glad you're here, Cress."
"Me too."
Kai smiled but looked thoughtful, as he led her into a simple shuffle. "It was nice to have a friend at the wedding who was just mine."
"I don't understand." Kai had tons of people at the wedding. Most of the guests were his. "Seems like you made plenty of friends here. Thorne, Ze'ev, Scarlet and more I'm sure. I'm surprised you still wanted me here," she added quietly but regretted it the moment she said it.
"How can you say that? Of course, I wanted you here. Still do." He sounded seriously hurt and Cress wished she had kept her words to herself.
"Forget I said anything, I didn't mean it. I'm sorry," Cress quickly said.
There was a long silence. "I'm very happy you're here. I know we haven't meet up a lot or kept in touch as we wanted to but that doesn't mean I don't consider you my best friend."
"Hey!" Thorne injected from next to them but Kai ignored him and twirled Cress to the other side.
"And yes, I have lots of friends here but they were Cinder's friends first. Thorne, Ze'ev and Scarlet, Iko. They were all a group long before I joined. You're the one who is here for me. I like that."
Happiness bubbled up her throat and she gave a shaky laugh. "I'm happy you want me here."
If he heard her thin voice, he didn't mention it. "Of course, I do. As I said, it's nice to have a friend here for me." He gave her hand a little squeeze. "Though now I realized I have to share you quite a bit," he added with a pointed look at Thorne who tried-unsuccessfully-to guide Cinder into a dramatic lift.
Cress was bit stumped. "You wanted us to work together."
"Sure. But he gets to see you more than I do." There was no accusation in his tone. It was a statement though there was a hint of wistfulness too.
"You work a lot. I do too." That and she had been avoiding him in the beginning just in case the topic of Julian came up.
Kai sighed. "I know. That's why Cinder and I were lucky to have two great wedding planners as our friends. It's not as we don't care about our wedding-"
"I would never think that!"
"-but it's just a very busy time in our lives, career-wise. I know Thorne makes fun of us for being workaholics but Cinder is the project leader for her very first project and I was just voted for as city council and don't want to disappoint anyone. It will be easier in the future but right now? We didn't think we could have managed to plan our wedding on top of doing our jobs at the moment. I don't think we could have handled it without a wedding planner. We even thought about postponing it until next year but ... we really wanted to get married. You and Thorne take a weight of our shoulders."
"That's what we're here for. As your wedding planners and friends," Cress assured him.
"I know. And we're happy that we didn't have to hire a stranger but our two friends. And with your concept and everything it will be a wedding beyond everything we could have planned for ourselves."
Tears stung at the corners of Cress's eyes. "We ... it's not just a job for us. Not even for Thorne. He really wants to make it amazing for you. He cares about the two of you a lot."
"What about you?"
She nudged him, taking a few seconds to blink the tears back. "Of course I care about you two too."
"Enough that you will come back to visit us? Not to do a job here but as a friend? My friend?" Kai's tone was hopeful.
Cress didn't hesitate. "I would love to. I really like it here." And she did. She loved her ever-sunny mornings, the breeze of the ocean, the few times she went to the beach after she got her tasks for the day done, the food and the many times she met up with Thorne just because. There was something about being here that made her feel free and happy.
She didn't dislike Burlington. It was a beautiful town. But it was small and her possibilities to grow as a wedding planner and a person seemed limited.
She had always dreamed of travelling but then her father died soon after she finished high school and it made sense to keep his apartment. Save money and then invest it in her degree. Build her business there.
Maybe it had been logical. But maybe it had been cowardice too.
Los Angeles made her feel as if she had endless possibilities. To meet new people, to learn new things. To advance her career in a way that would not be possible back home.
"I'll visit soon. I promise," she told Kai.
"That's good to hear." He grinned. "So, will Thanksgiving work for you?"
Before Cress could answer, Thorne limped over to them in a dramatic fashion. "Cree-eees! Cinder stepped on my foot."
"I didn't step on your foot, I kicked you," Cinder argued.
Thorne didn't miss a beat. "Cree-eees, Cinder kicked me." He laughed at Cinder's exasperated face. "Time to switch. Kai, take your bride back. Cress? Save me?"
He gave her such a pouty look, she had to laugh at his antics.
Kai gave her another twirl before she stepped into Thorne's arms. His hands easily found her hips as he led her into a slow dance that matched the song. It was a very different kind of dancing than during the dancing lesson with Elia and Cress tried not to look too awkward as she put her hands on Thorne's shoulders.
"Are you and Cinder always fighting?"
Thorne laughed. "We're not fighting. It's more like teasing."
"Like siblings?" Cress asked with a smile.
Thorne shrugged. "I wouldn't know. I'm an only child." With a bit of pressure to the small of her back, Thorne led her a little aside and leaned down towards her. "Cress, I know you said not to talk about work but I think I need to break that very fine rule."
His lips were so close to her ear, she could almost feel the slightest brush, sending goosebumps down her spine and the sharp scent of his cologne tickled at her nose. It took her a few seconds to reply. "O-okay?"
He turned them a little so she could look towards the musicians. "I know we have a band or DJ we can choose from but what do you think about these two?"
"For Kai and Cinder's wedding?"
She felt him nod against her cheek. "I mean look at Cinder and Kai. I believe they would like the idea too. The songs are modern but the way they play and sing them, I feel it could work for their wedding."
Cress glanced at Kai and Cinder who were happily swaying to the music, lost in their own world. "It's a great idea," she decided.
Thorne gave a relieved sigh. "I'm glad you think so."
Looking up at him, Cress could see that there was still a touch of nervousness in his features. It was rare to see him like that and she quickly assured him, "I do. I mean we don't know if they have time or want to do it but I can imagine that the music will give the wedding a more ... intimate flair? Despite the size of the venue and guest list, I suppose."
He gave her hip a gentle squeeze. "Thank you. It means a lot to me that you approve."
Her heart skipped a beat. "It does?"
A shrug. "You're the one with all those great ideas so far."
"That's not true. Your ideas are great. And you're way better at the business part of it." Which was true. Thorne's negotiation skills saved them quite a bit of money which allowed them to spend more on other things. Mostly things she was passionate about.
"True. But still, many think that event planning is about the creativity involved, more so than the organization or business aspect of it. I never hid the fact that I was good at the latter but you knock it out of the park with your unique ideas. If you didn't think it was a good idea, I would have followed your lead."
Rising herself up on her toes, Cress hugged Thorne. She was sure she caught him off guard - after all, she was surprised herself. But his words stirred something in her. Despite their rocky start, Thorne now never felt to make sure how much he appreciated her work even though it was a work he didn't entirely like himself. He recognized her value, her talent in something she took great pride in and for the first time, she felt not silly for loving what she did. It was important to her to be great at what she did but to hear it from someone she, after everything, still admired ...
Thorne understood her, Cress realized. Her, her work and what it meant to her. He truly understood why she put so much effort into her weddings and he just assured her it paid off.
There was a split second before Thorne returned her hug. She was engulfed in his warmth and sharp scent, and her heart beat fast in her chest. If she bent her head just so...
Cress quickly took a step back and gave a short, abrupt laugh. "Sorry, I just ... thank you. For what you said."
His eyes, dark and intense, searched hers, his arms still raised towards her before he lowered them. He opened his mouth before his lips tugged into his trademark grin. "Ah, and now you can't keep your hands off me? Understandable."
She rolled her eyes. "Don't be like that. I just meant-"
"I know." He reached for her shoulder. "I don't handle stuff like that well. Emotions and all that. But I meant what I said." He bumped her shoulder lightly before quickly stuffing his hands in his jeans pockets. "You rock."
She gave a thumbs up. "Maybe we should talk to the musicians first. And ask Kai and Cinder, of course."
"Sure." He pointed for them to split and made his way towards the duo, waiting close by for an opportunity to speak to them.
Cress walked over to Kai and Cinder with a persistent hammering in her chest she tried to ignore.
A/N: I wrote this chapter as part of a longer one but at over 5k words, I thought I should cut it in half. That leaves me with a small buffer because I struggle with writing at the moment (home office is somehow not very inspiring). Many thanks to kiminicricket for betareading. :)