“Nah, not a chance. If it happened at our wedding, I’d find it hilarious!”
“Yes, but you’re my best friends! That’s completely different. I need to apologize to her.”
“You’re overthinking this.” Ruby gestures round the guests all mingling, chatting, and laughing. “No one else cares. They don’t even know anything about the toilet incident.”
“All I wanted was to get through this wedding with no fuss and my dignity intact. Instead, I’ve drawn more attention than ever.”
“Nothing wrong with being center stage,” Ruby opines, taking a sip of champagne. “Isn’t that right, Leo?”
“Absolutely. Much better to stand out. What do you want, no one to notice you’re here?”
“I wouldlovethat.”
“Well, unlucky, because you’re going to be the last one standing tonight,” he says, flashing me an evil grin. His eyes drift over my shoulder as he spots someone. “Ah, here comes the happy couple.”
I spin round nervously, expecting Obi and Eva to come thundering over, demanding why I ruined her entrance and almost caused their vicar to have a major injury, but they’re all smiles as they envelop me in a huge hug.
“Thank you so much for coming!” Eva says in my ear, holding me tight.
“Congratulations, you two!” I enthuse, before pulling away to apologize. “I am so sorry for what happened at the church, I am completely mortified. You have every reason to—”
“Why are you apologizing?” Obi cackles, that infectiouslaugh of his immediately putting me at ease. “Eva told me the story. I think it’s brilliant. Who knew the vicar was such an action hero?”
“I know, right?” Ruby says, delighted at his choice of words.
“There was something quite sexy about it,” Eva admits, causing Ruby to shoot a disgruntled Leo a very smug smile.
I nudge Obi. “So, how does it feel to be a married man?”
“Fantastic.” He beams, showing me his left hand. “Although wearing a ring feels weird.”
“You’ll get used to it,” I assure him.
Will I ever get used to not wearing one?
As Eva falls into conversation with Ruby and Leo, Obi wraps an arm around my shoulders and gives me a comforting squeeze. Maybe my expression betrays my thoughts.
“How are you?” he asks quietly. “You doing okay?”
“I’m great, thanks!”
“I’m so sorry about… what happened.”
I force a smile, keen to move off the subject. “Thanks, Obi. Hey, this venue is cool and edgy. I’m guessing that it’s down to Eva and not you?”
“Hey!” He chuckles. “What are you trying to say, huh? That I’m not trendy?”
“Well, judging by the fact that we went to seeHigh School Musical 3in the cinema together…”
“You said you’d never speak of that,” he says in a hushed voice, before breaking into a wide smile and laughing. “Ah, fine, the setting is all Eva, but wait until we get to the food bit of the day. That was all me. Nigerian cuisine will blow your mind, trust me. Oh, and I’ve also sat you next to a certain someone.” He waggles his eyebrows at me.
“What does that mean?” I ask nervously.
“Oh, you know, it’s a single guy; he’s suave, charming, handsome…”
My jaw drops and I’m about to protest, but Eva sidles up to him and links her fingers through his, offering me an apologetic smile.
“Sorry, Obi, the photographer is calling us. So nice to chat to you three, see you in a bit!”
