The Best Man novel Chapter 16

Nathaniel's POV

Pleasant surprise

I watched as Olivia's face turn pale the moment she saw me. You could swear all the blood drained from her face as she stared blankly at me. A smile crept to my lips because my hope of seeing her soon had come true, and she looked beyond horrified, maybe from seeing me or realizing who I actually was. It probably didn't make things better for her since she and I will spend a huge amount of time together for the preparation of the wedding.

"Olivia, this is my cousin Nathaniel", Mellisa turned to look at me. "Nathan, this is Tristan's best friend Olivia", Melissa introduced us together, and I extended my arm for a handshake. She had frozen in her spot for a second before she cleared her throat and placed her hand in mine.

"Nice to meet you, Olivia", I smiled at her, and she was still dazed as nodded her head

"Nice to meet you too, Nathan", she emphasized sarcastically on my name, and we locked eyes for a while before I nodded, breaking our contact soon after

"Such chemistry between the two of you. I could swear the both of you know each other or something", Kevin hummed as he looked at me and Olivia simultaneously. "Do you two know each other?"

"Actually-"

"No!", Olivia blurted out alarmed, interrupting me abruptly and everyone turned to look at her. She tensed up and cleared her throat awkwardly.

"What I mean is,", she laughed nervously as she fixed her eyes on me. "Nathan and I don't know each other",

Cause you know Tony, I see what you did there Liv

I laughed to myself as I couldn't even stop this wide smile growing on my face, just looking at her was just so fulfilling in so many ways I couldn't even explain. Not to mention how beautiful she looked today, strikingly gorgeous. She was clearly a sight for sore eyes.

"Actually what Nate?", Mellisa questioned, and I rose an eyebrow in question of what she meant

"You were going to say something before Liv interrupted you", she clarified and Olivia fixed her eyes threateningly at me, it almost felt like she was almost warning me not to say anything stupid

"I thought I recognized her from somewhere, but I think I clearly must have mistaken her for someone else", I lied convincingly, and they all seemed to believe what I said, as they nodded away in agreement

"Now that we all know each other, I think it's time we go eat. I'm starving", Kevin complained and there were agreeing sounds from the group. Olivia quickly turned on her feet and walked to the table while Tristan wrapped his arm around me.

"I'm glad you could make it, Nate"

My lips spread into a grin as I watched Olivia take her seat at the table

"So am I"

"This is not the place or the time to talk about this"

"Whatever", she looked away to take another sip of her juice. I was not going to let her ruin my mood today, I was definitely not going to let her get to me.

"So Tristan-", my mother's voice called to my attention and I looked at her before drawing a deep breath

"Yes mother?", I forced a smile on my face

"How are the wedding preparations going?"

"Good", was all I could say because I had absolutely no idea how even far the preparations were going. You could swear I wasn't the one getting married because Mellisa had everything under control. It's like I didn't get to choose what happens at my own wedding. I mean yes, I wasn't going to be involved-involved in all the decision-making and stuff, but I also had to have a say in this. She even hired a catering chef for menu discussions because clearly I was a joke to her.

We were supposed to make some decision together but in this instance, it looked like all I needed to do on the day was just to show up

"Oh Tristan", Mellisa laughed dryly as she placed her hand on my lap. "No need to be so modest babe"

She turned to my mother. "Everything is going as planned, Catherine"