Poor Dad Sat Alone At A Wedding, Not Knowing The Bridesmaid Beside Him Was A Millionaire Falling
An Unexpected Meeting at the Rosemont
Ben Irving stared at the half-empty champagne glass in his hand, feeling as out of place as a snowman in summer at his cousin Ethan’s extravagant wedding reception.
The live band played softly in the background while couples swirled around the dance floor in what seemed like a choreographed display of happiness that only emphasized his solitude.
“Daddy, can I have another cookie?”
Six-year-old Lily tugged at his rented tux, chocolate already smudged around her mouth from the previous two cookies he’d reluctantly allowed.
“Just one more, sweet Pia,” Ben said, wiping her face with a napkin.
“Then maybe we should think about heading home; it’s getting late.”
He checked his watch; it was barely 8:30 p.m.. The reception would continue for hours, but single parenting had taught him to pick his battles wisely.
An overtired Lily tomorrow wasn’t worth staying to catch the bouquet toss.
“But I want to dance more!” Lily protested, her blue eyes, so like her mother’s, widening in protest.
Ben sighed, running a hand through his dark hair.
“Fifteen more minutes, then go find Aunt Martha. I think she was looking for a dance partner.”
As Lily scampered off, Ben loosened his tie and surveyed the lavish ballroom. The Rosemont Hotel was one of those places he’d normally only see in magazines.
There were crystal chandeliers, elaborate flower arrangements, and weight staff carrying silver trays of hors d’oeuvres that probably cost more than his weekly grocery budget.
Two years after Karen had left them, he was still adjusting to raising Lily on a high school English teacher’s salary.
“You look like you’re plotting an escape route.”
The voice came from his left. Ben turned to find a woman he hadn’t noticed taking the seat beside him.
She wore an elegant emerald bridesmaid dress that complimented her auburn hair, which fell in loose waves past her shoulders.
“That obvious?” Ben managed a smile, suddenly aware of his rumpled appearance.
“I’ve been monitoring all exits myself,” she said conspiratorially. “I’m Natalie, by the way. Natalie Graves.”
“Ben Irving.”
He shook her offered hand, noticing her firm grip.
“You’re one of the bridesmaids?”
“Maid of Honor,” Natalie corrected.
“Though I suspect Victoria only chose me because I can organize a mean bachelorette party. We were roommates in college.”
She tilted her head. “And you? Cousin of the groom?”
“Distant cousin, apparently, since they seated me at the ‘we had to invite you but don’t really know what to do with you’ table.”
Natalie laughed, a genuine sound that made her green eyes crinkle at the corners.
“I know that table well.”
“I usually end up there at corporate functions.”
“Corporate functions?” Ben asked, curious despite himself.
“I run a tech company,” she said simply, as if mentioning she worked at a coffee shop. “Nothing exciting. Software development, boring stuff.”
