Page 19 of Even Ground

Today is the most insane day of my life.

Delaney’s backyard is filled with the who’s who of Hollywood, but only one man is on my mind.

Reece has been a bit of a dick, but I think Delaney’s right in that there’s more to him than what’s on the surface. Although how far down I can scratch before he gets on my nerves is a whole other matter.

I reach for the diamond earrings Mum loaned me, and slide them into my ears. They were an anniversary gift from my dad. He died a few years ago, but he would have loved to have been here for Delaney’s wedding day. As it is, Mum’s terrified of flying—she’d never make it all the way here. Wearing the earrings makes me feel, a little, as if they’re both with us today.

Taking a deep breath, I exit my room and head to Delaney’s. She must have spent a fortune on getting hair and makeup done for us, my eyelids dusted in a silver shimmer, my lips glossy and pink. I delicately sweep my carefully pinned, honey curls off my shoulder and let them cascade down my back. I feel like a princess.

I hope it feels that way for her too.

Reece meets my gaze as I step in the doorway. Delaney asked him to give her away in the absence of anyone else, while Josh wanted him as best man. Somehow, he’s performing both roles today. It’s weird, but so is this whole world I find myself in.

“Aren’t I lucky? Surrounded by beautiful women.”

Delaney fiddles with her earrings. “So full of compliments today.”

“Just because you’re getting married doesn’t mean that I can’t try and win your heart.”

I clamp my lips together as she shoves him. “Good luck with that.”

Cocking an eyebrow, I meet his gaze. “We should get this show on the road before Josh thinks you’ve abandoned him.”

“Look what I got, Pania.”

I glance down to see Melly holding out her arm. Around her wrist is the most dainty bracelet I’ve ever seen.

“That’s lovely.”

“It’s from my daddy.” She beams. God, how I love this kid. She took her own chunk of my heart the day she was born, and I was so lucky to see every moment of her childhood until she moved to the US.

“Your daddy has very good taste. It’s so pretty. Just like you, Miss Melly.” I tap her on the nose, and she giggles. “Are you ready to get your mum and dad married?”

Melly nods, and picks up her basket of rose petals.

I raise my gaze to meet Reece’s. There’s a look in his eyes that I can’t read, but he’s not paying any attention to Delaney chatting beside him.

For just a moment, it’s as if we’re the only two people in the room.

“Pania, we gotta get Mummy and Daddy married.”

I look down at Melly. Her lips are pursed, and her expression is so serious, I have to clamp my lips together to suppress a smile.

“Right you are. Let’s go.”

Taking Melly by the hand, I look at Delaney. “Ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.” She adjusts the sweetheart neckline of her dress then fiddles with her diamond necklace.

“Do I have lipstick on my teeth?” She bares her teeth and grins at me like the Cheshire Cat.

“No. It’s a lip stain, silly. It won’t budge.”

Her smile is radiant as she inhales and puffs her chest. “Okay. Let’s do this.”

“We’ll be right behind you,” Reece says. “Lead the way.”

I take Melly’s hand, and we walk out of Delaney’s room, along the hallway, and down the stairs before exiting the house through the kitchen and out of the back door.

---