“Are you feeling okay?” I ask, the first time I’ve said anything for a while.
She looks at me then, her eyes shining in the lights that flash overhead. She nods, but doesn’t say anything.
For the first time, I’m able to think about what Mum said.It’s difficult for her, this arrangement. I can’t believe Dad told Mum.
She likes you a lot. But you Ashfords can be quite intimidating when you want to be.
I intimidate her? I assumed Wren was regretting marrying me. But could her quietness be due to the fact that she’s just nervous?
I think about how I acted at the house, dragging her outside, then telling her I was going to take away her freedom before I pushed her up against the wall and kissed her senseless. I wince. No wonder the poor girl’s terrified.
Wren gives a little sigh. Softening inside, I reach out and take her hand in mine. “It’s okay.”
She looks across at me. Her eyes look huge in the dim light.
“Have I told you that you look beautiful today?” I ask.
She gives a small smile. “A few hundred times.”
“Doesn’t matter, I’ll say it again. You look stunning.”
Her lips twist, and she lowers her eyes bashfully.
“I’m the luckiest man alive,” I tell her.
She tips her head back on the seat, blows out a long breath, and closes her eyes.
“How are you feeling?” I murmur, moving a strand of hair from her face.
“A bit dizzy.”
“Do you feel sick? I can ask Tane to stop.”
“No, I should be okay…” She sighs and lifts a hand to brush unsteadily over her face. “I’m sorry. I think I had too much champagne.”
I chuckle. “It’s your wedding day. I think it’s allowed.”
“It was a lovely day,” she whispers. “I didn’t let you down, did I?”
I frown, lifting her hand to kiss her fingers. “Of course not. Why would you think that?”
“You and your parents… you’ve been so good to me… and I wanted to do it right…”
“You did everything right, Wren.”
“I always screw everything up…”
“Not this. You were perfect.”
“Thank you for not changing your mind,” she murmurs.
“What?” It startles me. “I was never going to change my mind. I was worried you might not turn up.”
I don’t think she’s heard me. “All morning…” she continues hazily, “I thought they were going to come in and… tell me you’d called it off…”
“Babe…”
“I couldn’t believe it when… I saw you standing there… in your suit…” She leans toward me. “I’m not going to tell you how handsome you looked…”
