She Warns Him About His Friend’s Fiancée At Rehearsal Dinner, Unaware The Grateful Guest Is A CEO

A Shadowed Reunion

The crystal champagne flute slipped from Olivia Vance’s fingers. She recognized the man across the dimly lit ballroom. His familiar silhouette stood out amid the crowd of rehearsal dinner guests. She barely registered the glass shattering against the polished floor.

Her attention was fixed on Scott Lewis, her college roommate’s brother. She hadn’t seen him in nearly five years. He looked different now, sharper somehow. His once boyish features were replaced by a defined jawline shadowed with stubble.

His formerly lanky frame was filled out in a tailored navy suit that suggested quiet success.

“Are you okay?”

A server appeared instantly beside her, already collecting the shattered crystal.

“Yes, I’m sorry,” Olivia stammered, her cheeks flushing. “Just clumsy.”

She stepped away from the mess, smoothing her emerald silk dress. She had splurged on it for her best friend Tasha’s rehearsal dinner. As maid of honor, she’d spent months helping plan the perfect wedding weekend at this exclusive mountain resort.

But seeing Scott here had thrown her completely off balance. The last she’d heard, he was traveling around Europe after selling his first company. What was he doing at Tyler’s rehearsal dinner?

Then she remembered Tyler had mentioned inviting his old fraternity brother. She just hadn’t made the connection that it was the same Scott Lewis. He was the one who’d kissed her senseless at her college graduation party before disappearing to California to launch his startup.

She watched him now, deep in conversation with a striking blonde woman. Her crimson dress clung to her curves like it had been painted on. Olivia recognized her as Vanessa, Tyler’s fiancée, whom Olivia had only met twice before.

Something about their interaction made Olivia’s stomach knot. Vanessa’s hand lingered too long on Scott’s arm. There was an intimate tilt of her head and a secretive smile they shared.

Olivia looked around for Tyler, spotting him across the room. He was talking animatedly with his parents, completely unaware of his bride-to-be’s behavior. The protective instinct that had made Olivia a loyal friend since kindergarten flared up immediately.

“Breathe,” she whispered to herself. “You don’t know what you’re seeing.”

But as the evening progressed, Olivia couldn’t help noticing more troubling interactions. Vanessa disappeared for twenty minutes, then Scott slipped away shortly after. Both returned with slightly disheveled appearances.

There was a private toast they shared in the corner when they thought no one was watching. Vanessa’s lipstick was smudged after they returned from supposedly separate trips to make phone calls. By the time dessert was served, Olivia felt sick.

Tyler had been her friend since freshman year of college. He was kind, genuine, and utterly besotted with Vanessa. Their wedding was tomorrow, and Olivia was sitting on information that could destroy him.

When the dinner finally wound down, she found herself alone at the bar nursing a glass of bourbon. She was debating her moral obligation. The clink of ice in a glass beside her made her look up.

“Olivia Vance,” Scott said, sliding onto the stool next to her. “I thought that was you.”

Up close, his eyes were still the same striking shade of gray she remembered. They were like storm clouds gathering on the horizon. His scent of sandalwood and something distinctly masculine brought back memories of that graduation night.

“Scott Lewis,” she replied, raising her glass in acknowledgement. “It’s been a while.”

“Five years, two months.”

His smile was small but genuine.

“Not that I’ve been counting.”

Olivia felt heat rise to her cheeks.

“What are you doing here? I mean, I know you’re friends with Tyler, but we stayed in touch after college.”

“When his company needed some restructuring advice a couple years ago, we reconnected.”

Scott swirled the amber liquid in his glass.

“He was there for me during a rough patch. Least I could do was show up for his big day.”

The mention of Tyler’s wedding sent a fresh wave of anxiety through Olivia. Scott must have noticed the change in her expression.

“Everything okay?”

He asked with his brow furrowing with concern. Before she could stop herself, words tumbled out.

“Can I ask you something? And I need you to be honest with me.”

Scott nodded, his expression serious.

“What’s going on with you and Vanessa?”

His eyebrows shot up.

“Excuse me?”

“I saw you two tonight,” Olivia continued, her voice low but urgent.

“The way you were looking at each other, disappearing at the same time, the private toast. Tyler’s my friend, Scott. If something’s happening—”

“Whoa, hold on,” Scott interrupted, his expression shifting from shock to understanding.

“You think Vanessa and I—”

He let out a sharp laugh.

“No, Olivia. God, no.”

“Then what was all that?” she pressed, not ready to be placated by denials.