Page 72 of Shattered Oath
Forty-three guests filled the rooftop. Friends, colleagues, family. Women in spring dresses and statement jewelry, laughing and mingling and toasting to Aria's happiness.
"Okay, everyone!" Nalani clapped her hands, commanding attention with the ease of someone who did this professionally. "Time for our first game. Gather round, please."
The guests assembled in a loose circle, champagne glasses in hand. Aria was ushered to a decorated chair at the center—white cushions, more flowers, a hand-lettered sign that read "Bride to Be" in elegant script.
"This game is called 'How Well Do You Know the Groom,'" Nalani announced. "I asked Sebastian twenty questions about himself. Aria has to guess his answers. For every one she gets wrong, she drinks."
"That seems unfair," Aria protested, but she was smiling. "Sebastian is mysterious. He doesn't share things willingly."
"Sebastian is the least mysterious person I've ever met," I said. "He color-codes his calendar and alphabetizes his spice rack."
"That's organizational, not transparent."
"Same thing."
Nalani pulled out a stack of index cards. "Question one: What is Sebastian's greatest fear?"
Aria considered. "Failure. No—disappointing the people he loves."
Nalani checked the card, nodding with approval. "He said 'something happening to the people I care about.' Close enough. No drink."
"See? I know my man."
"Question two: What was Sebastian's most embarrassing moment?"
"Oh God." Aria pressed her hand to her mouth, trying not to laugh, but failing. "Is it the thing with the—at the conference in Dubai?"
"You'll have to be more specific."
"He ripped his pants. In front of three hundred people. The entire back seam just... gave up."
Nalani turned the card around with a flourish. "'Ripping my pants at the Dubai conference.' Correct."
The guests erupted in laughter. Aria was bright red but grinning, clearly delighted.
"Question three: What does Sebastian say is his best physical feature?"
"His hands," Aria answered immediately. "He's very proud of his hands."
"He said his jawline."
"What? No. That's ridiculous. His hands are beautiful. His jawline is just... a jawline."
"Drink."
Aria drank, still shaking her head. "I'm having words with him about this later."
The game continued. Aria got most answers right—his favorite meal (his mother's roast chicken), his hidden talent (he could juggle five balls), the first thing he noticed about her (her eyes, specifically the way they lit up when she was passionate about something). She drank for a few misses—his celebrity crush (apparently someone from a show Aria had never seen), his dream vacation (she'd said Italy with confidence, he'd said Japan).
By the end, she was slightly tipsy and thoroughly delighted, cheeks flushed and laughter coming easily.
"Okay, next game," Priya announced with a mischievous grin. "This one is called 'Drink Every Time Aria Says Sebastian's Name.'"
Aria's eyes went wide. "That's not a game. That's a trap."
"It's definitely a trap," Kim agreed cheerfully. "That's what makes it fun."
"I can go five minutes without saying his name. Easy."
