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Camilla
I sipped on a glass of fruit punch and watched Mom greet people with Brian at her side. They looked so great together, it was crazy to think they waited this long to get married.
The entrance hall was quickly filling with guests in luxurious tuxes and extravagant gowns. I even spied a few high-profile politicians in the throng.
No one paid me much attention, a young woman standing all by herself and impatiently staring at the people entering through the doors. I was waiting for Wyatt and Julie to come so I could finally start enjoying the evening.
A familiar figure strode through the doors and I felt a smile come to my lips. Luke Beckett, my project partner, looked incredibly handsome in a dark tux. His sunshine-blond hair was neatly combed away from his smooth forehead, giving him an aristocratic look.
Our gazes met and a slow smile spread across his lips.
“Hey,” he said, coming to stand before me.
“Hi,” I greeted him. “I didn’t know you were coming. Did Caleb and Corey invite you?”
“My father was invited but since he’s away on a trip, I’m attending on his behalf,” he explained. “It’s great to see you though.” Leaning in, he kissed my cheek.
Warmth pooled inside me. I’d never been greeted so intimately before.
While I was embarrassingly frozen, not knowing whether to kiss his cheek back, Luke turned toward the corner where Mom and Brian were talking to their guests.
“Your mother is beautiful,” he said. Turning back to look at me, he added, “Now I know where you get your looks from.”
A giggle escaped me. “Stop, Luke.”
His eyes twinkled as he chuckled. “You’re so bad at taking compliments.”
“But you’re incredibly great at giving them away.”
He chuckled, extending his hand to graze my cheek. “How are you settling in among your new family?”
“It’s all right,” I said with a shrug. “My stepfather’s great though. He’s been very welcoming and I love seeing the way he treats my mom.”
“What about your brothers?”
“They’re not my brothers!” I snapped. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath, urging myself to calm down. “Sorry about that,” I quickly apologized. “They’re all right too. It’s just weird to think of them as my brothers, you know?”
“I guess. They’re not the easiest people to get along with.”
“Milla!” A female voice shouted my name.
Startled, I turned around.
“Julie!” I gasped. “Wyatt! You guys are finally here.”
“This is incredible,” Julie gushed and moved forward to hug me tightly. “Wow...just wow.”
“Hey,” said Wyatt, waving at Luke. “Nice party, huh?”
I grinned at my best friend. He was dressed in a dark blue suit for the occasion. He looked great but a little weird too. It was a few seconds before I noticed his beany hat was missing.
“My baby’s so handsome, isn’t he?” Julie asked, clutching Wyatt’s arm.
“I dunno,” I said with a chuckle. “It’s strange seeing his head without a cap.”
Wyatt sniggered. “The same as seeing you dressed like that.” He gestured at me from head to foot. “Who did your stepdaddy hire to give you the princess makeover?”
“There were more than three people involved,” I said and stuck my tongue out.
