The sun’sbeginning to dip, painting the castle in warm apricot and gold. The music’s softened into that sweet spot somewhere between background jazz and ‘your uncle’s had too much Prosecco’ dancing.
I’ve officially survived the ceremony, the speeches, two awkward interrogations about my love life from distant relatives of the bride, and one canapé that detonated down my bodice like culinary shrapnel.
Now I’m tucked away behind the marquee, glass in hand, blistered heels kicked off, trying not to cry because someone stole the last vol-au-vent.
That’s when Ben appears, like he always does. Effortless. Comfortable.
And the thing is… I really do like him.
A lot.
He’s exactly what Lily needs, the still point in her constant motion.
His shirtsleeves are rolled, bowtie hanging loose, drink dangling from one hand. Rumpled, sun-warmed, and honestly the calmest I’ve seen him all day.
“Thought I’d find you back here,” he says, settling onto the low stone wall beside me like we’ve done this a hundred times before.
I smirk. “Is this where you send all the emotionally unstable bridesmaids to hide?”
He shrugs. “You’re my favourite emotionally unstable bridesmaid.”
I bump his shoulder. “That’s actually kind of sweet. Alarming, but sweet.”
We sit for a moment in companionable silence, sipping, letting the sounds of the party float in on the breeze, laughter, clinking glasses, the occasional whoop from the dance floor.
Then he glances sideways at me.
“You were incredible today.”
I blink. “What, the hair thing?”
He laughs. “The hair, yes. And…” His voice shifts, softer now, heavier, deliberate,
“…everything.”
He takes another sip, then looks straight ahead. “Can I tell you something?”
I nod, suddenly aware of the shift in energy.
“You know the whole themed wedding thing? The costumes, the tights, the hats?”
“Hard to miss.”
“Yeah, well… Tyler wasnota fan.” Ben chuckles. “In fact, he tried to talk me out of it entirely. But the second I mentioned you’d be here, he perked right up.”
My stomach flips.
Ben keeps his gaze on the horizon. “He’s never really hung out with Lily’s friends, he works all the time, always has. He’s family, obviously, but we mostly catch up when our schedules align. He’s… a good guy, Hales. Better than people give him credit for. But he’s had a bit of a reputation.”
I nod slowly. “Yeah. I’ve heard.”
Ben glances at me, lips twitching. “Helen, right?”
I groan. “Don’t say her name like that. You’ll summon her.”
He grins. “Fair. Look, I set him up with Helen back when I thought she might be good for him. Seemed like his usual type. But then he met you at my party and… something shifted.”
I blink at him. “I was barely conscious at your party.”
