‘Fake dating and one bed. I just can’t cope,’ Clara fanned her face. ‘I’m not sure what’s stopping me from jumping your bones.’
He let out a little laugh. ‘Didn’t you try that last night? You were stuck to me like a leech.’
‘Oh god, was I?’
‘Yep.’
‘Hell. That’s my subconscious desire for physical contact kicking in. I’m so sorry if it was annoying.’
‘I’m not sure annoying is the word I’d use.’
‘Oh? What word would you use?’
‘Hmm… I don’t know.’
She eyed him over, and he winked at her. She burst out laughing. They found seats on the pew in the middle. The church filled up quickly, and they were a little squashed. So many people had shown up.
Dominic and his brother, who was best man, arrived and stood at the front as the organ music played.
Then the vicar held up her hands, and everyone fell quiet. ‘Please stand.’
They all got to their feet, and the bridal march started. Everyone’s heads turned as Astrid made her way down the aisle beaming. Clara raised her hands to her lips, and Sam looked at her. Her eyes were welling up. She hadn’t even known Astrid that long.
Bless her, such an emotional person.
Clara blinked hard, lifting a finger to brush away a tear. Sam leaned a bit closer, lowering his voice. ‘You ok?’
She gave him a nod, letting out a soft laugh at herself. ‘I’m fine… weddings always make me cry.’ She moved closer, and the warmth of her arm pressed against his. Lifting his hand, he put it around her. Leaning against him, she smiled through her tears.
Sam breathed deeply, inhaling her sweet perfume, and trying to force himself out of his own head. But even if he moved his mind to a place of detached calmness, that place still had Clara in it. And there was no getting away from her.
Chapter Seventeen
Clara
Clara settled into her seat at the round, white-draped table and put down her flute of prosecco. The soft hum of conversation filled the air in the rather grand room, from the red carpet up to the corniced ceiling, where large confetti filled balloons floated above them. The floral centrepiece in front of her was so extravagant she had to lean sideways to see the couple across from her.
‘So, how do you know the bride and groom?’ Clara asked, her glass resting lightly against her fingertips as she turned to the woman on her left, a stylish older lady wearing emerald green.
‘I’m Astrid’s aunt,’ the woman replied with a warm smile. ‘And you?’
‘Oh, I’m here with Sam.’ Clara nodded towards him. ‘He’s one of Dominic’s oldest friends; they were at school together.’
‘Oh, you’re Sam.’ The aunt looked past Clara to smile at him. ‘Dominic was talking about you earlier.’
‘Was he?’ Sam pulled a face. ‘I’m not sure I want to know what he was saying. He has a talent for exaggeration.’
The aunt chuckled. ‘Not at all. He said you’d found the loveliest girlfriend, and he was very happy for you. That must be you.’ She smiled at Clara, who was suddenly lost for words.
‘I’m very lucky,’ Sam said. ‘To have Clara.’
She took a sip of her drink and caught his eye. His cute little grin tugged at his lips, pressing dimples into his bearded cheeks.
‘You’re very sweet,’ she whispered when the aunt’s attention turned elsewhere.
‘Just being honest. Iamlucky to have you here. It’s made everything so much better.’
‘I think we’re about to get speeches.’ The aunt’s voice cut into their conversation, and they looked towards the top table. ‘I hope they don’t go on too long. They can be such a drag.’
