“And you went from the navy to wedding photography?” Luis asked, scratching his head. “How did I not know this?”
“The navy, weddings...” Stella shrugged, taking a sip of wine. “White uniforms all look the same once you’ve seen them through the lens.”
“A wedding dress is not a uniform,” Luis replied emphatically.
“It’s the expected dress code for an event or place in a particular shade stocked by select retailers,” Stella replied easily. “That’s a uniform.”
“Actually, she has a point, Luis,” Sebastian said. “Did you know Ari and I once planned a wedding at the Bulgari Hotel in Knightsbridge, and, I kid you not, if the bride wasn’t in a particular designer, they wouldn’t host the wedding. Maggie Sottero fans were not getting through that door, let me tell you.”
“Was I on their list? I mean, was De León Designs?” Luis quickly asked, and Sebastian paused.
“Let’s not make this awkward, hmm? Besides, I want to hear more about esoteric Druidry. That’s where you wear robes, right?”
Corentin nodded. “Some of us do, when the occasion calls for it. I guess they’re just another type of white uniform though, eh?” He gave Stella a playful wink, which made Tom shudder.
“Oh, I don’t know about that,” Stella replied, and Tom stared at her, because was sheflirting with his brother? “I always thought robes were rather dashing and sexy.”
Dear God, shewasflirting with him. Tom clutched at his wine glass, desperately trying to catch Ari’s eye from across the table, only to find her with her head firmly down, her hand wrapped around the stem of her own glass.
He’d been trying to catch Ari’s eye all evening. From the moment they’d sat at this wretched table, waiting for the Oscietra caviar to be served, he’d been waiting for Ari to look up, to notice him, to give him even the smallest flicker of hope that his breaking up with Sasha meant something to her. But not once had she even glanced in his direction, sitting quietly sandwiched between Sebastian and Luis, who were watching Stella and Corentin interact with interest, Tom realised.
“Robes? Dashing and sexy?” Sebastian wrinkled his nose. “You mean capes, right? Not robes. Robes aren’t sexy.”
“Robes can be sexy,” Stella returned, and Tom watched her give Corentin a playful wink back, making his stomach turn.
“Robes?” Sebastian asked again. “I mean, robes are what wizards wear, and I can’t think of a sexy happy medium between Gandalf the Grey and Harry Potter, can you? But capes? I can absolutely think of a few men who have been sexy in capes.”
“Your father once wore a cape,” Marnie suddenly cut in. “It was a Halloween party, and he was dressed as Dracula, but he was still dashing and sexy.”
“Mother,” Tom groaned, to which Marnie shrugged.
“What? He was sexy and dashing. So sue me for finding your father attractive, why don’t you?”
“I remember that Halloween party,” Corentin mused. “You’re right, Dad was sexy and dashing. Maybe I should switch to capes.” Then he grinned, and Stella gave a high laugh, tapping Corentin on the shoulder playfully.
This cannot be happening,Tom thought.How can I be sitting across the table from the absolute love of my life, not communicating at all, while my priestly brother scores with my former wedding photographer?
“I’m sure you’d look dashing and sexy in capes too,” Stella replied. “I have to admit, I own a cape or two myself.” She gave Sebastian a sideways glance. “In tweed. They’re an autumn staple when you’re about town.”
“Indeed.” Sebastian nodded knowingly, and at that, unable to bear a second more, Tom stood.
“You know, I’m really not very hungry,” he announced.
Five pairs of eyes immediately shot to him, although the sixth pair, the pair Tom really cared about, kept resolutely down.
“Are you all right?” Marnie asked in concern.
“Yes, I’m fine. Just not in the mood for any dinner.”
“Because of Sasha?” Stella asked, her voice once again cool.
“Sasha? No, I—”
“Because we all know she’s gone, Jawline,” Stella added, her words echoing across the room in the sudden silence that followed.
Tom sighed, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Oh, you do?” Though his words were addressed to the table, they werereally meant for Ari. Ari, whose eyes remained down, her face still and expressionless.
“Yes. Marvellous decision, actually. Top form of you.” Stella nodded her approval. “Though I’m aware heartbreak can affect the stomach. I’ve never experienced it myself, but if you weren’t hungry because you were, I don’t know,” Stella waved a hand, “missingher or some such thing, well, we would all understand.”
