Liam played against Savannah and won – a light-hearted and easy-going game, as it was clear neither wanted to incur an injury before their big day. Holly then declared that she would play against Ellie next. They tossed a coin to see who would serve, and Ellie was secretly pleased when she won the toss.
Holly looked incredibly smug as she took a position near the middle of the court. She began to slide her hips from side to side like a pro.
Ellie took a deep breath, tossed the ball in the air and smashed it as hard as she could. Caitlyn had to leap out of the way as it smacked into the fence on the other side of the court, having bounced just once within the lines. Holly, on the other hand, was still clutching her racket and clearly wondering what the hell had happened. Alex cheered.
‘Wow,’ shouted Keira, ‘that’s one hell of a serve!’
Ellie shrugged lightly at the scowl on Holly’s face. ‘I did warn you that you might not want me to play.’
The rest of the match followed a similar pattern, with Ellie hitting the ball so hard and fast that Holly could never react quickly enough. She only managed to return the ball once, and Ellie took great pleasure in tapping it over the net lightly before Holly could sprint back for it.
‘Team groom wins again!’ Liam said, calling an end to the match.
Alex roared with approval and ran on to the court to lift her in a bear hug as if she were a champion player, and she dropped her racket in shock. Ellie gulped with fear as he swung her in a circle before setting her down. At least he’d managed it without any grunting or straining, which was delightful in itself.
‘Serves her right.’ He snorted as Holly stomped away with a furious scowl on her face. ‘You were fantastic.’
Ellie fought to get her breathing back under control, though she wasn’t sure if her elevated heart rate was due to running around on the court or being wrapped in Alex’s embrace. ‘Mark played for the school. We used to practise at a court in Hackney. I’m actually not that good, but Mark liked me to serve to him so he could practise his volleys.’
‘I thought you didn’t want to play. You should have said you were the third Williams sister.’
She blushed and swatted his arm lightly, but he refused to let go of her. The silliness of the moment evaporated. Everything fell away but the summery breeze and his ocean eyes. His head was turned away from his family, so they couldn’t see him when he said quietly, ‘Now feels like a perfect time to kiss you.’
Excitement raced through her veins and she nodded. ‘It is.’
His head bent and his mouth pressed against hers in their practised Disney kiss. Her heart leapt in her chest, and courage and need rushed through her in equal measure, buoyed by Alex’s confession last night.
The last two days had changed something between them. The chemistry that had always been fizzing between them seemed to have reached a tipping point. They were simply dancing along the edge of the precipice, afraid to leap, and yet too far gone to step back.
Wickedly, she pressed closer, her fingers daring to snake to his hips and ever so slightly pull him closer. He tensed, and she was afraid she’d pushed him too far, but then a low moan rumbled in his chest and his mouth opened and his tongue slowly stroked hers, causing a moan of her own to escape.
It was the best kiss she’d ever had. Fantasy and anticipation melting into perfect harmony. She was lost in his arms, and happy to stay that way for as long as he kissed her back.
But reality intervened and he pulled away. ‘My parents are watching,’ he said, chuckling, but looking as shaken as she felt.
Oh God!What was she thinking? She glanced over to his family and saw the surprise on all of their faces, as well as the absolute disgust on Holly’s. The hatred in her eyes burned through Ellie, and a hot wave of shame flooded her cheeks. She’d seen that look before, on David’s fiancée’s face.
‘Sorry,’ she mumbled, shuffling awkwardly out of his hug. But Alex didn’t fully let her go, just moved one arm to drape across her shoulders as they walked back to team bride and groom.
She lowered her head, feeling guilty, and mumbled, ‘Sorry, I got carried away… Let’s remember our boundaries in future, yeah?’
Alex’s arm dropped from her shoulder. ‘Sure, if that’s what you want?’
She smiled, even though it hurt to do so. ‘Might be for the best. Don’t you think?’
Alex had to play against Keira next, and he won. Holly’s persistent thunderous face brought down everyone’s mood and,in the end, everyone was grateful to part ways and enjoy the rest of their day alone before the rehearsal barbecue.
Ellie and Alex did the same, Ellie muttering about wanting to read through the career information she’d printed out and brought with her. Alex nodded, an unspoken agreement that they would take some time apart.
Chapter Nineteen
‘Could this get any more awkward?’ whispered Ellie. She was staring at the giant seating plan placed on an ornate gold stand in front of them.
Honestly, Alex had been worried sick about overstepping the mark with her at the tennis match. But seeing her cracking jokes again eased some of his worries.
Some, at least; he couldn’t shake the feeling he’d messed up somehow, and, to make matters worse, the rehearsal dinner had arrived with terrifying speed. He’d dreaded it almost as much as the wedding itself.
He glanced at the plan over her shoulder. ‘What’s wrong?’ he asked, although he could already guess the answer.
