“I wouldn’t know,” I say, feeling more flustered than I should.
Leah coughs, choking on the air she has inhaled. I slap her on the back with a tut.
Leah and I have become firm friends since she started dating and married Gabriel. I liked her from the get-go. She’s smart, funny and put the society bitches in their place. I can still seetheir faces, and Gabriel’s. I don’t think I’ve ever seen my friend go so red. But the way he looked at Leah, how he looks at her now. It’s like he could devour her, and she him. When they’re in the same room, it’s as if the air will combust.
We grab a seat in the corner where there’s space for the pushchair. A waitress comes over to take our order. Once she’s left, Leah turns.
“I saw the way Elijah looked at you. Are you telling me nothing happened?”
“I am. Nothing happened. We worked all night, reminisced about the past. But I hate to disappoint your romantic streak. You’re seeing things where there is nothing.”
Leah scowls at me.
“If it’s nothing. Why did he look like he’d swallowed a wasp when I mentioned your wedding?”
My heartbeat picks up at her words.
“You’re imagining it. Weddings aren’t exactly Elijah’s favourite topic. The man’s wedding was a train wreck. Darra’s parents overwhelmed him, parading him around like a prize bull. A society and celebrity who’s who. It was awful. Believe me.”
It was before Leah’s time, but I’ll never forget my friend’s face when I found him hiding in the bathroom.
I give myself a shake. That happened ages ago. A lot has changed since then for both of us.
Leah snaps her fingers in front of my face.
“Earth to Pen,” she says as I refocus on her. “I’m not blind. It was more than that. He couldn’t take his eyes off you, and when I mentioned Kris, I swear he went green around the gills.”
“Don’t,” I say.
“Why not?”
Leah grips my forearm, stopping me in my tracks.
“Because you’re marrying Kris?”
When I say nothing, Leah continues.
“Why are you marrying Kris?” she says, her fingers gripping my arm tighter.
I frown down at her hand.
“Leah,” I warn.
“No Pen. You’re my friend. I’m worried about you.”
“You don’t need to worry about me. I’m fine.”
Leah groans at my words.
“Fine? Really?”
I grimace at her tone.
“Do you love him? Do you love Kris?”
Her eyes lock on mine, and I know she’s not going to let this go.
“Of course, I love him,” I tell her.
