Page 26 of Modern Romance November 2024 5-8

The sense of unease she seemed to have lived with for ever had dimmed. In fact, it had dispersed completely—only noticeable by its absence. For in his arms, with the brush of his cheek against hers as he moved closer to speak, she imagined his lips finding hers...

Sahir’s low voice didn’t jolt her—it felt like a caress. At least until her dizzy mind deciphered his words.

‘The music has stopped.’

Violet blinked, as if snapped from a trance. ‘So it has...’ She pulled back from his embrace, a little flustered as to where her mind had just been, for it felt as if they’d kissed. ‘I was miles away.’

‘And me.’

CHAPTER FOUR

‘IBELIEVETHEcake is coming out.’

Sahir unravelled her reluctant arms and peeled her body from his.

‘They’ve already had a cake,’ Violet grumbled—but only because she’d far rather dance. ‘And I don’t really...’ She halted, deciding not to mention that she didn’t like fruit cake.

Perhaps she was a fussy eater after all, Violet pondered, retaking her seat at the top table. Only Sahir didn’t join her. Instead he stood by the dance floor, speaking with the bride and groom.

‘They lied,’ Sahir said when he came back.

‘About what?’

‘There will be speeches after all.’

‘Oh,’ Violet said.

‘Slightly irregular order, though,’ he said. ‘If the cake is to be cut now.’

‘Irregular?’ Violet frowned.

‘Usually the cake is cut at the end.’

‘Only if you’re a stickler for protocol.’

‘I am.’

She didn’t envy Sahir having to make this particular speech. The bride’s parents were both absent, the groom’s family all dead.

She swallowed. ‘Are you going to mention his family?’

Sahir didn’t respond, and she wondered if he was pondering the same.

The cake was being cut, and as coffee was served, slices came round...

Fruit cake.

Violet chopped it up, to look as if she was eating it, nibbling on the white icing and hoping the speeches were short as she wanted so badly to dance again.

There was no father of the bride, so the groom spoke first, thanking his bride, the bridesmaid, and also the guests.

‘Sorry to tear you away from an excellent cricket match...’

A few of the guests groaned, and then Carter glanced over to his best man.

‘Sahir, I’m sure you weren’t best pleased when I told you the wedding was today.’

Sahir spread his palms, as if admitting it had been a difficult choice he’d been forced to make to attend the wedding and not the match.

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