Page 103 of The Painter and His Poet

As it is, I feel like I’m missing something, or that he’s hiding something from me, and I’m not sure what makes me feel worse, the fact that he’s keeping something from me, or the fact that I’m doing the same in return.

For the next few minutes as we listen to the string quartet hidden away in the balcony above us, waiting for Daisy to arrive, I can’t help but steal glances at Sterling whose gaze is fixed on Dalton standing at the altar. A muscle feathers in his jaw, tension oozing from him. I know that being around a lot of people is difficult for him, and I long to place my hand on his thigh to comfort him, but of course I don’t.

“Are you okay?” I ask instead, resting my hand on the pew between us, my pinky grazing against his thigh. He looks over at me, some of the strain around his eyes softening as I caress his leg with the gentlest of touches.

“I’m good,” he whispers out, something flickering in his eyes, something that looks an awful like longing.

After a beat he places his hand over mine, and I can’t help but wonder if his heart is pounding as much as mine is, because the slightest touch from Sterling has my body reacting.

Dropping my gaze to the Bible tucked into the back of the pew in front of me, I blow out a shaky breath, trying to calm my racing pulse. I long to lean into Sterling’s side, but for now, the warmth of his palm against mine will have to do. Moments laterthe processional music begins to play, and every guest turns to watch Daisy enter the church with her brother Drix, offering us both a welcome distraction.

“Wow!” I gasp, studying Daisy's breathtaking wedding gown.

It's unlike anything I've ever seen before, and is simply exquisite. The bodice hugs her figure perfectly, leading into a long chiffon skirt that seems to gracefully dance around her legs with every step she takes. But it's not just the style of the dress that makes it so stunning; it's the gorgeous pastel shades of pink, blue, yellow, green, and lilac that blend together seamlessly to create a gorgeous ombré effect.

“Stunning,” Sterling murmurs, a smile spreading across his face as we watch her approach Dalton, who is staring at her so intently that I wonder if he’s even aware of anyone else in the church.

The way they look at each other throughout the ceremony and during their wedding vows reveals a connection stronger than what I imagine many of the gossiping attendees had anticipated. Dalton’s gaze never falters from Daisy’s face, and she in turn looks up at him with flushed cheeks and shining eyes just like any other bride would look at their husband on their wedding day.

“You may now kiss the bride,” the vicar eventually says with a smile.

Dalton steps forward, reaching up to cup Daisy’s cheeks. There’s a moment of stillness when she tips her head back to look up at him, and he leans forward and whispers something against her mouth that makes her gasp, before kissing her.

And boy does he kiss her.

It’s heated, undeniably passionate, and I shift in my seat feeling a sudden sense ofloss. Here are two people sharing an intimate moment in front of a church full of people, and here I am terrified that someone will see us holding hands.

“Harlow…” Sterling murmurs, drawing my attention to him. I’m met with agony in his gaze and I know he’s thinking the same thing too.

“It’s okay,” I whisper back, but my response is drowned out beneath the sounds of everyone clapping, which slowly peters out when Dalton raises his hand.

“Can I have your attention, please?” he says, his voice rising above the noise. The guests fall silent, waiting as Dalton lifts his chin in what appears to be a defiant gesture. Beside him Daisy frowns, an uneasy expression on her face.

“What’s going on?” I whisper.

“I’ve no idea,” Sterling replies.

“My wife and I will be heading directly to our honeymoon,” Dalton continues, his voice cutting through the whispered conversations. “The reception party will still go ahead, and of course you must all attend to celebrate our marriage, but we won’t be in attendance.”

“Excuse me?” Carl rises from his seat in the front row, his voice clipped, angry. “We have the press waiting, Dalton!”

Dalton glares at his father as Daisy’s face pales, and the rest of us just watch on with varying degrees of surprise. I can see my mother look up at Robert, her eyes widening with shock and dare I say it, glee. She’ll be living off this moment for weeks.

“This isn’t up for discussion. We’re leaving now,” Dalton snaps, and I can’t help but notice how he tightens his grip on Daisy’s hand, pulling her closer. She steps into his side, her body leaning into his and I have the urge to do the same with Sterling. The way Dalton’s father is reacting, and the way the whole congregation is muttering their disapproval has me on edge.

“The hell you are!” Carl seethes.

“Daisy’s happiness is my priority, and staying here for a second longer so the vast majority of you can all pretend to be happy for us both whilst gossiping behind our backs issomething that I will not tolerate. I will also not allow the press to invade our privacy. I don’t give a fuck about the deals you’ve made without our permission,father,” Dalton retorts with a snarl.

“Oh my God,” I whisper, equally horrified by the fact that Dalton is even having to address the gossiping at his own wedding, and impressed by his boldness in standing up to his father. I don’t know Dalton all that well, or Daisy for that matter, but I do know a man in love when I see one.

The tension in the church is palpable, with murmurs and gasps rippling through the guests.

“Why you ungrateful–” Carl begins, but Dalton holds his hand up, cutting him off.

“Enjoy your evening everybody,” he says, before striding up the aisle, Daisy’s hand firmly grasped in his.

“Well isn’t this quite the embarrassment,” my mother says under her breath as we sit at one of the circular tables in the beautifully decorated ballroom of Carl’s palatial mansion.

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