“Thank you!” I said. “The yard looks wonderful! I love what you did with the school’s colors.”
“And this must be Ethan,” Vanessa said with another smile. She looked him over, glanced at his shoes with a slightly raised brow, and then took his hand. “I’m so glad you could make it on Ashlyn’s special day.”
“Thank you,” Ethan said politely. “I’m glad I could be here.”
“I had the cake done by the chef girl you went to school with,” Vanessa said. “Jessica, I believe? She does such a nice job. She filled the inside of the cake with fruit, and the samples were just divine!”
“I can’t wait to taste it,” I said. I reached out and grasped Vanessa’s hand. “Thank you so much for doing all this for me. I’m so grateful.”
“It was my pleasure, darling.” Vanessa gripped my fingers for a moment. “Oh, look! Some of your friends have arrived! I do appreciate that Presley’s taste in designers.”
Vanessa glanced at Ethan’s shoes once more. I caught myself right before I rolled my eyes and then glanced over at the yard entrance to see Zoey, Presley, and Isaac heading toward us.
“I’d better go check on the other guests!” Vanessa said as she twirled off. “Do enjoy yourselves!”
“She’s nice,” Ethan said with a quick smile.
“She wouldn’t dare be any other way.” I chuckled.
“Hey, girl!” Zoey walked up with Presley right behind her. They both wore conservative, designer sundresses and had obviously coordinated with each other.
“Good to see you here, bruiser.” Isaac lightly punched Ethan’s bicep, and Ethan blushed. “Who wants something from the bar?”
“Champagne all around!” Presley said.
“You want one?” Isaac asked Ethan quietly. “I don’t think anyone is going to notice.”
“Nah, I’m okay,” Ethan said. “Thanks for asking though.”
“How about a soda?”
“Yeah, that would be great.” Ethan smiled. “Let me help you carry them.”
They headed toward the bar, and I was glad to see Ethan and Isaac had bonded over their run-in with Cole.
We found a table near the buffet and sat down while the guys stood in line for the drinks. Presley took note of everyone’s attire and critiqued when she found it necessary.
I watched the back door, waiting for my father to appear.
“Ah, shit!” Isaac stumbled over the leg of the table, spilling one of the drinks.
“Careful!” Zoey snickered. “You know how Vanessa feels about cursing! She’ll throw you right out of here.”
“Sorry.” Isaac glanced around quickly, but Vanessa wasn’t in earshot. “I’ll go grab another drink.”
Isaac headed back to the bar, which now had quite a line, and Ethan handed me a glass of champagne.
“Congratulations,” he said quietly as he kissed my cheek. “It’s so cool that you got a master’s degree. Do you think you’ll ever want to go further?”
“I don’t think so,” I said. “Not any time soon, certainly. You know how I feel about taking tests, and—”
“What is he doing here?”
I jumped at the sound of my father’s voice behind me. Turning quickly, I squared my shoulders and sat up a little straighter. Dad wouldn’t cause a scene—not with all these people around.
“He’s my boyfriend, Dad.” I spoke softly but with resolve. “You are going to have to accept that.”
“I most certainly do not,” he replied. “I thought I had already made that clear. He is not welcome here!”