But they continue in a whisper, and I can’t lurk any longer, so I have to move on.
Apart from that, I enjoy the wedding. I’ve never been to one before, as my mother isn’t close to her two brothers and no one at the salon invites me to this sort of event. I even like the speeches. The groom’s father talks about how he’s gained a daughter, and tells the story of how they got together. Then the groom blushes through thanking everyone for coming, and his best man embarrasses him with a story about how head over heels he was with Francesca when they first met.
It’s lovely, and I’m not jealous at all of Francesca having a husband who clearly adores her and has since the beginning. Not envious. Nope, it’s just that green isreallymy colour.
It’s funny, because as I join in the toasts to the happy couple, I almost feel like a part of this family.
What I’m waiting for though, is Dante. He’s standing in for the “father of the bride”, and I do wonder what happened to Francesca’s father. Maybe he was a one-night stand who never wanted to be involved, like my dad.
When Dante delivers a confident speech, with a self-deprecating joke about how it was only five minutes ago that Francesca was his baby niece, and how he’s so proud of her, I tear up a bit.
I wish he were mine. Even though he’s probably too old to think of me as anything but a child like he does his niece.
I’m not sure what to do when everyone gets up to see the happy couple have their first dance. I’m not a big fan of crowds of people, and I’m short, so I won’t see unless I’m near the front. I stay at the table, clap, sip water, and watch from a distance.
I’m going to be so toasted tomorrow. I like people, but I find it much easier one-on-one and when I have something to do. A job, like when I’m doing hair. Not surrounded by people I don’t know, with no clear task, or anyone to talk to. I take several calming breaths. This is okay. I’m supposed to have a great time.
“Ruby?” I look up to find Dante, jacket and bow tie discarded, looking down at me.
“Hi!” I say brightly. “Your speech was so good.”
“Thank you. Will you dance with me?” He smiles softly, as though he can see into my heart, and holds out his hand.
It’s aCinderellamoment. OrDirty Dancing. I’m in the corner, and he came and found me.
“Yes,” I squeak the word.
Then as I put my hand into his—so much bigger than mine, and warm and strong—a trill comes from his pocket.
We both freeze.
His face falls, and he heaves a sigh.
“I’m so sorry, I have to take this.” He sounds despairing as he takes out a sleek, top-end mobile phone. “Will you wait for me? I still want that dance.”
“Of course.”
“Promise?” he asks in a gravelly voice that would convince me to sell my soul.
“Yes.”
And his nod and smile before he turns away and takes the call sends tingles down my spine.
For a while, I’m a wallflower. Everyone ignores me, and I look around at the guests. They’re all having a great time. I play on my phone for a bit, scrolling social media.
Ack ack ack. I know Dante said to stay here, but I feel like a lemon.
So I head out of the main wedding reception and through the garden towards the lake. There’s a sheltered spot beneath some trees that looks nice, and the path leads off the other way. I step carefully over the grass—it’s Mediterranean grass so it’s not muddy like it would be at home in England—and stand at the low wall made of stone pillars. My muscles relax at the relief of being away from the crowd, and the view of the water is just gorgeous here.
It’s dark now, and lights dance on the surface, shimmering reflections from the hills and the boats. From behind, the voices and music are a pleasant burble. I breathe in the scented air, sweet and fragrant with herbs I don’t know the names of.
It’s peaceful, and I’ve been so lucky to be a part of this wedding.
“Ruby.”
I spin around. Dante stands glaring at me. Furious.
6
