She Warns Him About His Friend’s Fiancée At Rehearsal Dinner, Unaware The Grateful Guest Is A CEO
The Secret and the Sacrifice
Scott glanced around before leaning closer.
“This stays between us, all right? Vanessa’s been helping me with something.”
Olivia raised a skeptical eyebrow.
“Tomorrow during the reception, I’m announcing a major donation to Tyler’s Environmental Foundation. Twenty million dollars to fund their rainforest preservation project in Brazil. It’s a surprise. Vanessa’s been helping me coordinate it with the event planner.”
Olivia blinked, processing this information.
“Twenty million dollars?” she repeated, her voice barely a whisper.
Scott shrugged as if the amount was inconsequential.
“The toast you saw was after we finalized the details. The disappearing act was because we were on a call with my foundation director to sign off on the transfer paperwork.”
Relief flooded through Olivia, followed quickly by embarrassment.
“I thought… I mean, it looked like…”
“You thought we were having an affair,” Scott finished for her, his voice devoid of judgment.
“And you were ready to tell Tyler to protect him.”
His expression softened.
“That’s why I always liked you, Liv. Loyal to a fault.”
The use of her old nickname sent a flutter through her chest.
“I feel like an idiot.”
“Don’t,” Scott said firmly. “You were being a good friend.”
Olivia took another sip of her bourbon, the alcohol warming her from the inside.
“So, twenty million dollars,” she said after a moment. “I guess those rumors about your success weren’t exaggerated.”
Scott smiled, the expression transforming his face.
“No, my tech security company did well. Very well.”
“That’s quite understated for a CEO who just casually mentioned donating twenty million dollars,” Olivia said, finding her footing again. “The last I heard, you were starting some little startup.”
“That little startup turned into Secure Haven. We provide cyber security for about forty percent of Fortune 500 companies now.”
He said it matter-of-factly, without a trace of arrogance. Olivia nearly choked on her drink. Secure Haven was one of the most successful tech security companies in the world.
“You’re that Scott Lewis? Secure Haven CEO?”
He nodded, seeming almost embarrassed.
“That me. Though I prefer just Scott, especially with old friends.”
“Old friends?”
Olivia wasn’t sure what to call someone who had kissed her like the world was ending and then disappeared for five years.
“So what about you?” Scott asked smoothly, changing the subject. “Still saving endangered bird habitats?”
“Wildlife conservation in general now,” Olivia replied, surprised he remembered her college passion.
“I work for the Global Conservation Trust. We’re currently focused on establishing protected corridors for migratory species.”
“Important work,” Scott said.
Something in his tone told her he genuinely meant it.
“Not twenty million dollar donation important, but we do what we can,” she joked, trying to mask her self-consciousness.
“Don’t sell yourself short. Your work has real-world impact.”
He paused, studying her face.
“You know, I followed your research publication on butterfly migration patterns. Brilliant stuff.”
Olivia stared at him, caught off guard.
“You read my paper?”
“I’ve read all your papers. Your methodology for tracking ecological impact is revolutionary.”
A warmth that had nothing to do with bourbon spread through her chest. Before she could respond, a voice called out from across the bar.
“There you are!”
Tyler appeared, his face flushed with happiness and champagne.
“My two favorite people in one spot.”
Olivia stood to hug her friend, genuinely happy for his joy despite her earlier suspicions.
“The dinner was beautiful. Vanessa did an amazing job planning it.”
“Speaking of my almost-wife,” Tyler said with a grin. “She’s looking for you, Liv. Something about final dress fitting adjustments for tomorrow.”
“Right, I should go find her.”
Olivia gathered her clutch, suddenly reluctant to leave the conversation with Scott.
“It was good seeing you, Scott.”
“Likewise,” Scott replied, his eyes holding hers a moment longer than necessary. “Maybe we could catch up more tomorrow after the ceremony.”
“I’d like that,” Olivia said, unable to suppress her smile as she headed off.
The bridal suite was a flurry of activity the next morning. Vanessa, surprisingly calm for a bride, sat patiently as the makeup artist worked on her face.
“Olivia, there you are,” she said, beckoning her over. “I need your honest opinion on something.”
Guilt pricked at Olivia as she remembered her accusations from the night before.
“Of course, anything.”
“Do you think we should move the first dance outdoors? The weather’s perfect and the sunset would make for amazing photos.”
Olivia considered it.
“I think that’s a wonderful idea. The stone terrace has that incredible mountain backdrop.”
Vanessa beamed.
“That’s exactly what I was thinking.”
She lowered her voice.
“And did Scott talk to you last night about the surprise?”
“He did,” Olivia admitted. “I actually… I thought something else was going on between you two at first.”
Instead of being offended, Vanessa burst out laughing.
“Me and Scott? God, no. He’s like a brother to Tyler. Besides, have you seen the way he looks at you? He hasn’t taken his eyes off you since he arrived.”
Olivia felt her face warm.
“That’s not… we just knew each other in college.”
“Mm-hm,” Vanessa hummed knowingly. “Well, whatever history you two have, I think you should explore the present. A little birdie told me he specifically asked if you were seeing anyone before he RSVP’d.”
Before Olivia could press for more information, the other bridesmaids arrived. The conversation shifted to wedding preparations. The ceremony was everything a mountain wedding should be: breathtaking views, perfect weather, and a palpable sense of love.
Throughout it all, Olivia was acutely aware of Scott’s presence in the third row. His eyes occasionally found hers across the gathering.
At the reception, after her duties were fulfilled, Olivia found herself by the stone balustrade. The sun was setting, painting the mountains with hues of gold and purple.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
Scott’s voice came from behind her. Olivia turned to find him holding two champagne flutes.
“Just appreciating the view,” she said, accepting the offered glass. “And feeling thankful that I was wrong about you and Vanessa.”
Scott chuckled.
“I’m thankful for that too. Though I was impressed by your willingness to have that uncomfortable conversation. Most people would have just gossiped about it.”
“Not when it comes to friends,” Olivia said simply.
They stood in comfortable silence, watching the fading light transform the landscape.
“I owe you an apology,” Scott said suddenly. “For how I left things five years ago.”
Olivia kept her eyes on the horizon.
“You don’t owe me anything. It was just a graduation kiss.”
“We both know it was more than that.”
His voice was quiet but intense.
“I had feelings for you, Liv. Real ones. But I was leaving for California the next day with no idea if my company would succeed or fail spectacularly. It didn’t seem fair to ask you to wait.”
Olivia finally turned to face him.
“You could have given me the choice.”
“You’re right. I should have.”
His expression was contrite.
“I’ve thought about that night a lot over the years. About you.”
A server approached before Olivia could respond, informing Scott that the event coordinator was ready for his announcement. He excused himself with a promise to continue their conversation later.
The donation announcement went exactly as planned. Tyler was visibly moved, embracing Scott with tears in his eyes as the guests applauded. Olivia watched from the sidelines, seeing Scott in a new light.
