“Please, maid of honour and best man, pull yourselves together. It’s not time for twenty questions, just look forward and smile. It’s quite simple,” the photographer barked at them impatiently.
Exchanging a look that saw Steph’s brow crease into a frown, she huffed. “I have a whole team I manage, I have an assistant, I’m responsible for all of their admin staff as well as overseeing new accounts to my company and I have just been publicly chastised for simply talking to you,” she said wryly as the call of ‘cheese’ was repeated.
With a broad grin, Jon placed an arm around Steph’s waist before they both picked up their cue and smiled.
“Thank you,” said the photographer, two words that should have been the epitome of good manners dripping with sarcasm and delivered patronisingly.
“Would you like me to hit him for you?” Jon laughed at her expression. “I would do that as an apology for my behaviour last week.” He winked at her and it was the sexiest thing ever.
It was only normally her dad who winked at her and when he did it she didn’t get that fluttering sensation in her tummy or anywhere else, and right now she was fluttering everywhere meaning this man was seriously dangerous for her head and heart.
“That won’t be necessary.” She smiled far too much.
“The offer is there if you change your mind and I’m good for it,” he assured her.
“I don’t doubt it.” She smiled again.
“You are very beautiful when you smile.” His tone turned darker, serious.
“Thank you,” she replied with a slight flush.
The photographer was organising other people again and as Mr Walters appeared at her side, she turned to talk to him, then realised that Jon had gone. She felt sad that he wasn’t next to her, but presumably he was back with his wife who Steph hadn’t yet caught sight of. She really needed to keep that in the forefront of her mind . . . he might be hot, sexy, and charming, but he was married.
The brideand groom left together and suddenly Steph realised that she was minus the other bridesmaids who had left with the parents of the bride.
“Ride?” asked a familiar voice from behind her.
She turned and found Jon looking at her enquiringly. What about his wife? Could she stand a journey with him and her together? He’d be all attentive to her and Steph would have to sit and watch it all.
“Stephanie, do you need a ride? A lift?” he asked, slightly impatient.
“Yes, thank you, what about your wife? Won’t she mind?” she babbled.
He frowned and then smiled at her. “My wife?”
“Yes,” she replied, irritated by his vagueness. “You may remember her in a big white dress, sickness and in health, I do, blah, blah, blah.” Her voice oozed sarcasm.
He smiled, irritating her further. “You’re funny, really you are. Far more interesting sober than you are drunk, Stephanie.”
“And yet you sent Lindsay and I champagne at the spa?” she suddenly realised.
“But that was gestural alcohol, apologetic, not for getting trollied,” he explained. “Now, do you want a lift or are you walking?”
“Thank you.” She accepted his arm again for him to lead her to a very sleek, sporty car that gleamed.
He held the passenger door open for her. “My wife? Is that courtesy of the blushing bride?” He spoke with a flatness that somehow unnerved Steph who was now wondering if she had overstepped the mark somehow.
“Yes, Linds did mention that you have a wife.”
“What else did she say?” he asked seriously.
“Nothing, just that you had a wife,” she replied honestly but added, “I was really mad with you at that point so the conversation ended there.”
“I see. My life is complicated, but divorce really isn’t possible. I don’t have children but yes, I do have a wife. Any more than that is not something I share with people I barely know.”
“Do you have mistresses?” she asked bravely considering his angst was already rising with her, although Steph did wonder if it was with her, himself as the guilty husband or Lindsay for having told her about his wife, not that she’d really said anything of note.
“I have had one-night-stands and flings, but I have never had anyone I considered to be a mistress,” he said honestly, and at that point Steph really did have no response.
