“It’s been pretty good, thanks,” she said. “What about you?”
“Oh, you know.”
No, she didn’t know. And she realised she didn’twantto know, either.
Steven held her gaze, apparently waiting for her to invite him to tell her all about the life he’d led since he’d crushed her heart into a thousand tiny pieces, but Carole realised she didn’t want to continue with this stupid charade any longer.
She’d said hello, she’d been polite, and that was enough.
More than enough.
“Steven, it was nice to see you, and Jilly it was great to meet you,” Carole said, offering them both a breezy smile. “But I promised to introduce Tom to a few more of my relatives beforethe bride and groom arrive and we all sit down for the meal, so I hope you’ll excuse us.”
Jilly, unfazed, nodded happily and said she hoped they’d all have a chance to chat again later. Steven, on the other hand, looked deflated as Carole and Tom nodded their farewells and moved off through the crowd of guests.
Had he really expected her to stick around, swapping news and reminiscing about old times? It was obvious he wasn’t happy earlier when Carole had described him as an ‘old acquaintance.’ How had he expected her to introduce him to Tom while they were in public?
Tom, this is my ex-fiancé, Steven, the man who I was engaged to before I found him in bed having sex with my so-called friend.
She might have explained Steven in those terms before they got here, but she wasn’t about to recount the sordid details while Steven himself stood there grinning and… lapping up the attention? Carole wondered if that was what Steven had wanted.
Surely Steven hadn’t wanted to delve into those dark days from long ago?
Or had the passage of time made him think of what had happened between them as just some silly story of youthful indiscretion?
Well, it didn’t really matter what Steven thought, and she certainly wasn’t going to spend any time today dwelling on their brief conversation, or on Steven’s comments or reactions to what had been said or not said.
“You did great,” Tom whispered in her ear as they moved across the bar area.
Carole let out a laugh that sounded more flustered than amused. “I’m just glad it’s over with. I’ve seen him, said hello, been polite, and now I can ignore him for the rest of the day.”
“It sounds like a good plan to me. For what it’s worth, he struck me as a bit of a plonker and definitely not in your league.”
She laughed again, touched just as she’d been earlier by Tom’s loyalty to her ‘cause’ where Steven Weaver was concerned.
“I appreciate you saying that.”
“So, where are these relatives you want to introduce me to? Or was that just a ruse to escape from Slimy Steven?”
This time her laughter was filled with lightness and genuine amusement. “It was just a ruse. What I really need is another top up on this prosecco.”
“Then let’s get that done. You deserve it.”
No sooner had they refreshed their drinks at the bar, than the wedding master of ceremonies appeared and asked everyone to welcome the bride and groom to the reception celebrations. As applause and cheers broke out, Carole watched her cousin and her new husband arrive, hand-in-hand and with their faces lit up with delighted smiles.
The sight of the happy couple, filled with such obvious joy and excitement on this wonderful day, brought tears to Carole’s eyes once more. She was so thrilled for her beautiful cousin and her handsome groom, and so grateful to be here to help them celebrate. With her heart bursting with happiness for her sweet cousin, she let out a whoop of appreciation as the couple glided through the room, earning her an amused grin from Tom.
“They just look so happy, don’t they?” Carole said to Tom as the bride and groom accepted glasses of fizz from the master of ceremonies and began mingling amongst their guests.
“They do. And so they should. It’s their big day, after all.”
Carole dabbed at her dewy eyes and laughed. “See, this is why I shouldn’t have any more prosecco. All this wedding romance mixed in with the booze will turn me into a blubbering wreck again.”
“Here, have some canapes to soak up the alcohol,” Tom said, snagging a napkin from the bar and loading it with the little savouries and nibbles that were laid out on the counter.
“You’re a great wedding wingman, Tom,” Carole said, accepting the snacks gratefully.
“It’s actually one of my superpowers.”
