Page 22 of Modern Romance November 2024 5-8

‘Everything okay?’ Grace asked anxiously as he took his seat.

‘Of course,’ Sahir reassured the bride. ‘I’ve suggested we move the gifts to make room for dancing.’

Content with that, Grace got back to her dream day, but Violet wasn’t so easily fobbed off.

‘What’s happening?’ she asked.

‘Later,’ he said.

She gave a contented smile as she took a sip of her newly poured wine, knowing somehow that hewouldtell her later, and that there were conversations to be had away from the top table.

Then she put down her drink.

‘You don’t like it?’ he checked.

‘It’s fine.’ Violet smiled—after all she was hardly a wine connoisseur.

Sahir must be, though, for he took a sip of his own glass, and realised it wasn’t at all to her sweet taste.

And again he was being a gentleman, taking care of her in little ways, for he spoke to the waiter, and soon she was being poured a glass of far sweeter wine.

He noticed her likes.

And when he did speak it wasalwaysa treat.

‘Left and to the rear, wearing floral...’ Sahir said as the starter was served.

‘What about her?’

‘Is that the cousin who doesn’t like you?’

‘Correct.’ Violet smiled. ‘Tanya. How did you know? Because she has children with her?’

‘Hardlywithher,’ Sahir said.

And she had to smile, because the kids were play-fighting on the small dance floor.

‘She keeps looking at you,’ he said. ‘And I agree...she doesn’t look very approving.’

‘Hmmm...’ Violet said. ‘She never liked me—even as a little girl.’

He carried on eating as she explained.

‘I think she expected Grace’s full attention when she came to visit her.’ Tanya really was casting her dirty looks, she saw. ‘She probably thinks she should have been asked to be bridesmaid.’ She turned her face to his ear. Not to whisper, just speaking in a low voice to one side. ‘She thinks I really stole the necklace—the one Mrs Andrews was so upset about.’

‘Ah!’

‘I’m sure when she tells the story, she conveniently forgets that it was found. Still, as someone said, never let the truth get in the way of...’

She couldn’t complete the quote, let alone remember who’d said it. His scent was divine, his ear was as perfect as an ear should be...and, oh, that jaw was so smooth, yet she could see the dark shadow beneath the skin.

Sahir was the most beautiful man she had ever seen, let alone spoken to.

He must have wondered why she’d paused, for he turned his face to her. She saw those dark liquorice eyes, and as their eyes met there was a light tension between them that had her abruptly turning from his gaze.

As the starters were concluded he told her that it wasn’t just Grace’s cousin looking over.

‘There are a few men looking your way...although not with critical eyes.’

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