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A million years could have passed while they looked at each other, and Violet couldn’t have said what was happening in the ceremony.
But Charlie was the one who broke eye contact when he handed Lewis the rings, and the moment faded away, leaving Violet feeling off-kilter.
Once the ceremony was done, as practiced, Violet walked back down the aisle on Charlie’s arm. She felt a little lightheaded from all the running around and lack of sleep, but Charlie was a steady weight next to her.
As they left the ceremony to loud cheers and lots of photos, Violet was supposed to go with Liv to help her change dresses for the ceremony, but before she did, Charlie’s grip on her arm tightened and he said softly, “You look nice. Just in case no one told you.”
Violet blinked, shocked. She needed to get to the bridal suite, but she also couldn’t work through the swirl of emotions that churned when he said that. All she could do was mutter a “Thanks.”
Then she was whisked away.
~
Charlie
Charlie didn’t have time to think too hard about what he said to Violet, he had to go be sure guests were getting to the reception.
Lewis didn’t leave Liv’s side, and both of them were emotional after their marriage. Charlie felt bad, but he had zoned out for most of it. He couldn’t stop glancing over at Violet.
She looked beautiful, as she always did. Emerald was a lovely color on her, and the makeup added to her beauty. But it was never about her beauty. This time, it was about her dependability.
During the ceremony, Charlie realized he had called Violet to help him with the cake instead of Lauren on autopilot, and he had done it because he knew Violet would get it done. Violet didn’t play petty games or give the silent treatment. When she hated him, she hated him earnestly. When she had liked him, she had done that earnestly too.
He was going to ask what had happened back in college after the wedding tonight. Maybe it would be a disaster. Maybe she’d yell, but he had to do it. Their truce was over as of tonight anyways. If it ended in a fight, she had a place to go, and he would be able to think.
He had to know why they ended up like they did. Was it truly because he gave advice on her paper? Or was it something else?
If she didn’t run, and she actually talked to him, he would be willing to work it out. And if they worked it out, then maybe they could fix this. Maybe they could be friends.
Liv and Lewis’s first dance was gorgeous. At the end, the wedding parties joined in. Violet and Charlie were technically paired up, but Lewis had told them they could skip.
Charlie walked over to her anyways.
“I’m a terrible dancer," Violet muttered to him. She held out a hand, and he took it, placing the other one on her hip. They stood awkwardly apart, not used to touching.
As they began to move together, Charlie said, “Maybe we should have taken those lessons.”
“I doubt I’ll ever dance again.”
“You never know. Don’t they do middle school dances or something?”
“Who am I supposed to dance with, a student?”
“What about a friendly teacher?”
“There’s not a lot of male teachers," Violet said, shaking her head. “And I don’t know - I like to keep work and personal life separate.”
“Seems like a good rule.”
“Don’t they do corporate dances or something in the rich people world?”
Charlie huffed out a laugh. “I’m not rich, and no, not my company. Some private companies do big events, but they feel cheap and flashy.”
“That’s because they are cheap and flashy.”
“And a school dance isn’t?”
“School dances aren’t flashy. They’re just cheap," Violet said. “And they’re probably the most boring event I chaperone.”
