“For the French waiter. He’s here today, you know, helping to serve the drinks. Are you peacocking for him?” Ruby shares a grin with Simone, who arrived for the wedding on a late flight last night, completing our university group here to support Cali on her big day.
“No!” I roll my eyes, irritated at having to admit the truth. “I’m trying to keep an eye on Matthew.”
“Oh, right.” Ruby glances over to him with a repulsed expression. “Is he aware he’s wearing the wrong shoes with that suit?”
“They’re awful, aren’t they? But other than that, he looks nice.”
“He looks like a prick.”
“Ruby’s right,” Simone says nodding. “He does.”
“You would both say that no matter what he wore.”
“No, we wouldn’t. Anyone can tell he’s wearing the wrong shoes, Freya. He doesn’t have anyone to curb his disastrous flair for shit fashion anymore, that’s the problem.” Ruby sighs heavily, shaking her head at him. “Are you going to speak to him today?”
“I’m not sure I’ll be able to avoid it.”
The ceremony was lovely, outside in the sunshine on the lawn of the hotel, where Cali and Dominic said their vows under an archway of bright, colorful flowers. Cali looks stunning in an elegant strapless gown with a flowing chiffon skirt, perfect for the hot climate, and Dominic and his ushers are very smart in matching light beige blazers and navy trousers. We’ve just finished the wedding breakfast, which was absolutely delicious, and a jazz band is setting up, as all the guests mill about in anticipation of the cake cutting and the start of the evening festivities. It’s such a beautiful, warm evening, and it makes for an excited, happy atmosphere.
Matthew and I never really considered a destination wedding because I’d always thought I wanted to have a traditional Englishcountryside wedding at Dad’s. But now that I’m here, and it’s so magical and dazzling, such a spectacular escape from reality, I’m not so sure.
Not that I imagine I’ll ever have to worry about a wedding again.
Which is weird to think about, actually. Will I ever get married? I wonder if I’ll ever get to the stage where I can trust it will go ahead. If I ever even got engaged sometime far in the future, would I be terrified the whole time, wondering if it was real?
“You look stressed,” Ruby observes. “Are you worried about talking to him?”
“I was actually thinking about whether I’d ever trust anyone ever again.”
“Bloody hell.” Simone wrinkles her nose. “Some nice, light thoughts for a wedding celebration, then.”
“I’ll likely become a cynical, bitter old bitch,” I add.
“What do you mean ‘become’?” Ruby raises her eyebrows. “You’ve already got the cynicism down. Whenever we watch a nice, happy, romantic movie, you go off on one as soon as it ends about how the couple won’t stay together—”
“If it’s set during their school years, then it’s highly unlikely.”
“—and don’t think I didn’t notice you mutter something snarky when we saw that couple kissing at the airport.”
“I could literally see that the guy had a wandering eye. He’s probably going to screw her over at some point.”
“We didn’t even speak to them.”
“Yes, but I saw him checking out the flight attendants as they boarded the plane.”
She smiles, amused. “Don’t let Matthew warp your view of love.”
“If I ever need proof that love prevails, I have you and Leo right here,” I assure her, prompting Ruby to look down at her shoes bashfully. “Not to mention all the weddings this year. So don’tworry. I’m not an old bitch quite yet, I just wanted to give you enough warning in case things start heading that way.”
“In the hopes of never letting that happen,” Simone says, jumping in, “I’d like to point out the hot French waiter is looking at you.”
She nods in the direction of the bar. I glance over in what I hope is a subtle manner and spot him midway through opening a bottle of champagne. He catches my eye and smiles, before pulling out the cork in a swift and easy motion.
“Bloody hell,” Ruby whispers, watching him, “I am unbelievably turned on.”
“Ruby!”
“Sorry, but did you see the way he opened that bottle?” Simone gasps. “The way his arms actually flexed? I actually think I might need a glass of ice-cold water after that.”
