“They worked tirelessly,” Michael adds, “day after day, late into the night.”
Heat blooms in my cheeks and I peel my gaze from Luke’s. I mean, we certainly were up for all hours of the night, but…
“We are so very grateful,” Michael continues, raising his glass. “Thank you, guys. We’d also like to thank all our friends and family for making the trip here, especially Alex’s family who have come all the way from New Zealand. We’ll be coming for a visit very soon.” He grins, tipping his glass in the direction of my parents who beam back at him.
Oh bless, Geoff. You’ve done it.
Michael turns to Alex, his eyes twinkling. “And I have to say something about my beautiful bride.” He gazes at her and they exchange a secret smile. “A year ago I was trying to buy a sandwich when a girl spilled coffee all over me.” He shakes his head with a chuckle. “When she turned out to be my new neighbor, I wasn’t happy. Things in my life had been…” He pauses, running a hand over his beard. “They’d not been very good, for a while.”
I glance at Mel. She shifts in her seat, lifting her chin defiantly.
“But it didn’t take long for me to fall in love with Alex,” Michael continues. “She’s beautiful, she makes me laugh, and she’s the sweetest, most optimistic person I’ve ever met. She accepts me for who I am and supports me in everything I do. And she’s an amazing step-mother to Henry. She loves him as if he were her own son, and we are both so lucky to have her in our lives.”
I squirm in my seat, stealing a look at Mel again. EvenI’mfeeling uncomfortable on her behalf now. Her glare has turned icy but her head is still high.
When I turn back to Alex, she has tears streaming down her face and delicately pats at her cheek with her napkin. She’s such a sap.
“I never thought I could be as happy as I am,” Michael says, his own eyes moist. “Alex, I cannot wait to spend every day of my life with you. I’m the luckiest man in the world.”
My throat cinches tight as we raise our glasses. Under the table I feel Luke’s hand on my leg, brushing and gently squeezing, telling me something without words. When I let my gaze meet his, my heart expands at the tiny, almost shy smile on his face. And in that moment, I can’t deny it anymore.
I’ve fallen in love with him.
I don’t even know how I know that, but I do. It’s this warm, insistent, exhilarating feeling behind my breastbone telling me that it doesn’t matter that it’s only been two and a half weeks; I’m in love with this man. And instead of feeling panicked, I just feel… calm. This feels right. Because I think he feels it too.
I slide my hand under the tablecloth and interlace my pinkie finger with his, deciding that I’m going to tell him. Today. I’m going to tell him how I feel, and I’m going to tell him the truth about Harriet 2.0. And while I’m not quite as fearless as I told him I was on the plane, I’m also not that far off, because telling him I’m in love with him is a totally different kind of leap—one that’s more terrifying than going on the trapeze, or jumping from a plane. But I want this more than I’ve ever wanted anything, and I’m going to be brave enough to go after it.
Henry stands up next, his cheeks pink as he clutches a piece of paper to his chest. “Um, hello. I just wanted to say congratulations to Dad and Alex.” He pauses to check his paper, then takes a faltering breath. “Last year, Alex saved my life when I had an allergic reaction. Dad said it was a sign she was meant for us, and I think he’s right.”
Alex is blubbering now and Michael squeezes her into his side, pressing a kiss to her temple with a little chuckle.
“I’ve loved spending time with Alex,” Henry continues. “And it’s been nice to see Dad so happy. It’s made me really happy too.”
My gaze swerves to Mel again, and there’s a vein pulsing in her temple. But she’s not glaring at Henry; she’s shooting daggers at Alex. Instinctively I straighten up, as if preparing for battle.
“Congratulations, Dad and Alex. Alex, welcome to our family,” Henry says finally. The whole room erupts into applause and Henry sinks down into his seat with scarlet cheeks. Alex stands and rushes over to him, pulling him into a tight hug. She whispers something in his ear and he grins, squeezing her. I smile as I watch them. Alex has nothing to worry about with Henry; he loves her dearly.
Dad is up next. He gives a gushing toast about how proud he is of Alex and all she’s achieved moving over here and writing her books, which sets Alex off again, especially when Mum nods along in agreement. Then Dad talks about how wonderful Michael is and how pleased he is to welcome him to the family, and makes multiple hints about how he and Mum are expecting grandchildren in the very near future. This earns a grin from Michael in response.
Then William rises to his feet with a loud scrape of his chair, and I tense in anticipation for some kind of rant about what a disappointment his sons are. Of course, he doesn’t do that. His toast is sweet, about how Alex is lovely and he is happy to welcome her to the family—more glares from Mel, but honestly, what did she expect?—and how he looks forward to more grandchildren. In fact, it’s all going swimmingly until he wraps it up with the comment, “Let’s hope this one sticks, eh son?” Then he chuckles merrily to himself, raising his glass.
Crimson creeps onto Michael’s cheeks and Alex, who has been smiling pleasantly throughout, looks down at her lap, her shoulders sagging.
For fuck’s sake, William.Did he really have to get that last line in?
As we lift our glasses, I notice the smile is gone from Alex’s eyes. There’s a twist in my heart and I decide it’s time for me to get over myself and put her needs first.
I pull in a deep breath, grasping my glass, ready to stand and say all the wonderful things I’ve been thinking. But to my absolute horror, Mel pushes her chair back and stands, bashing her knife against her glass to get attention. My eyes whip back to Alex and I see her rosy complexion pale.
Oh, no. This is not happening. Not on my watch.
I summon all my inner strength and stand, stalking over to Mel just as she draws a breath to speak. As respectfully as I can, I lean over and whisper, “I don’t think you should make a toast. Maybe save what you want to say for later?”
But she waves me away, like I’m nothing more than a pesky mosquito. Then she turns to the expectant room, a savage smile spreading across her face. “As you may or may not know, Michael and I used to be married.”
I glance at Alex again, wringing my hands. She looks panicked as her fingers grip onto Michael’s. Even Henry is looking slightly ill.
I have to stop this.
