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●ALEX POV●

The matter of fact is , I fell for her . After I told her not to fall in love with me, I fell for her.  The hurt in my heart isn't her fault . And there were so many things I could have done differently , right? We watched them dance tonight and my heart broke because they looked like a couple in love . A couple that I was actively trying to keep apart.

"What's the meaning of this?" My father asked as we all watched the same scene unfold.

Florence nudged me supportively because technically we were in the same boat, except I was Greg in this story. So I finally spoke up , "Aria and I never were a real couple . We made it all up because she needed someone to help her save face and I needed her to help convince Warren I wasn't going to run."

"Are you okay?" Asked Rachel. She could tell how much this pained me , "she is a lovely woman, but we always thought her and Warren.....you know, growing up." I placed my hand over hers and nodded . Even I knew it . If we saw it with Florence and Mick , I don't want to be the one to stand in the way of love that was obvious .

But damn if it didn't hurt . All I needed was confirmation from her and she gave it to me . Letting me down as easily as she could in the phone call last night.

《FLASHBACK TO LAST NIGHT》

"Hey," I answered as I saw Aria's name light up .

"Hi, can you talk?" She asked with a slight concerning tone.

"Sure, everything okay?"

"Yeah, just wanted to tall about tomorrow," I knew this was coming . Would she still want me to be her date? Or has she changed her mind?

"This was really hard for me because there were things that had been conflicting with my core values," she began , a little high pitched signifying she was nervous.

"Like how?" Trying to prompt her that it was okay .

"I don't back out of my word or promise but I also don't continue doing something that doesn't feel right. And I just feel so torn," she answers, "I care about you Alex. And I want to go through with our plans but this facade doesn't feel right anymore . The way our parents are getting involved , all happily about the two of us. I feel guilty."

I take in what she said to me . I understand but I also know there's more , "So that's all? Or does any of this have to do with Warren?"

She sighs , "Warren is part of it too but he didn't put me up to it. We just get along really well."

"We do too," I'm feeling slightly guilty after hearing what Florence told me about her relationship .

"We do, but I really need to be honest with you . I really like Warren. I like who I am when we're together. Someone who isn't afraid,  someone who is confident and I feel more like myself when we're together. Not that you didn't have qualities that made me a better person either . You helped me become more spontaneous and to let go of my past ." She pauses to catch her breath , "After what Penelope did to you and your brother , I was scared that I'd break you guys apart . But Warren assured me that he won't let that happen . Because you're his brother and he loves you . That whatever I decide he'd be okay, that you would too."

"Okay," I say to her trying to find words to what she just said to me.

"Aria, I know there's a lot more at stake here now that some time has passed and real emotions have developed.  That night at the beach house was hands down my favorite memory . Not just of you but in my life. I also understand the heart wants what the heart wants . I like you a lot and wish that it was me you liked back . But I'd be foolish to ignore the obvious affection you two hold for each other. Something I had never seen him have with anyone else. Hell, you brought him and Trip back from the sibling grave. If you want him by your side tomorrow, I understand. I can't say that it doesn't hurt but I get it," I say all in one breath . I knew if I didn't say this all , then I wouldn't say any of it . My heart broke but this was the right decision .

"Thank you Alex. Thank you," and with that we hung up.

《PRESENT》

I thought after my conversation with her last night was going to lessen the pain in my chest . It only made it worse as I watched the two of them waltz around on the dancefloor as if they were the only two people there. 

Plenty others were talking about them , saying they make such a beautiful couple . The women were disappointed that he was taken but admitted they knew they wouldn't be able to compete. I looked over to where Dylan was and all I saw was his whole world shattering . He sighed in defeat as he gulped down his bottle of beer.

On instinct I stood up and kept my eyes tracked on Aria. She was radiating and my heart yearned even more to have her look at me that way . When the song ended she looked up and when our eyes met, I couldn't help but feel the sting of my tears rolling down my cheeks. I couldn't let her see me like this.

I made my way to the closest exit. I heard my name being called out but I didn't want anyone else to see these tears. Once I was outside I was able to catch my breath for just a moments.

"Alex," I heard her soft voice call to me .

Aria stood there , breathtaking in her gown. Her eyes filling with tears because she sees and feels my pain . She rushed to me and enveloped me with her tiny arms, "I'm sorry Alex, I'm really sorry."

I hug her back , "sorry for falling in love with Warren?"

"No," she answered,  "sorry for hurting you. I never wanted it to be like this."

I pulled away from her , "I love you Aria, but I see that your heart and your eyes belong to one man . But if he hurts you , I will make sure he pays," I tell her as I tilt her chin up .

"You got yourself a deal, but why don't we go back inside? I saved a dance for you and then we can sit our parents down to explain because my mother is having a total conniption," she chuckles.

"Sure, we can still be friends right?" I ask her.

"I would be devastated if we weren't. And you aren't allowed to disappear, " she commands.

"I wouldn't dream of it."

We both walk back in and Warren is with my family and walks cautiously over to us , "Alex?" He says with one eyebrow raised.

"It's all good brother," I say as we hug it out . This was so vastly different from how things fell apart with Penelope. Aria was good for my brother , for my family and everyone knew this . His rough exterior was starting to melt and for the first time in a long time, I felt comfortable with him.

"Good because I was ready to fight you . Not over her, but to keep you by my side ," he smiled as he kept one arm slung over my shoulder.

Things didn't feel nearly as horrible as I thought it would because I did have Aria and I still have Warren. We were chatting it up and laughing with our families when we heard a commotion .

"What the hell is he doing here?" Warren looked over .

"Mick!" Florence yelps for him.

Both Delilah and Henry looked absolutely confused as Mick made his way to Florence. My instinct was to tuck her behind me, "What are you doing Alex?"

"Why is he here?" I asked.

"I don't know," she said and looked over to her husband that was seething.

"Did you tell him you'd be here tonight?" Greg said in a calm but angry tone.

"He asked, let me get him to leave," she begins to leave the table when Greg grabbed her by the wrist .

"Ow, Greg, that hurts," she says struggling to get out of his grip.

"Florence , I asked for one night without the mention of Mick. And now he's here, at a wedding. Highly inappropriate, " although he wasn't wrong, I didn't like how he was manhandling my sister .

"Let her go," the voice from behind me booms,  as everyone freezes .

"She's my wife and you coming here is really disrespectful to the bride and groom," he scolds Mick.

"And I will apologize for that later . But right now I'm concerned about that woman who is carrying my baby," and all hell just broke loose as Warren , Trip and I tried to block Greg from attacking Mick. Aria and Rachel pulled Florence out of the area.

"Outside, NOW!" An unlikely voice yelled as we all turned to look at Henry storming our direction.

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That was definitely an unlikely guest BUT why cause that drama at someone else's wedding?