Page 6 of The Last to Know

“No,” Caz laughed, “the proper kiss. Was it at least a good one?”

Grace giggled, shrugging at the same time. “I guess so. It’s never been beaten.”

“Wow, that good,” Caz gloated. “Even better than Christopher Spencer?” He was the boy Grace had had a crush on in her teens, who had kissed her once and she’d never forgotten it.

“Shut up.” Grace laughed, and as they became serious again for the photo, she said, “Yes, better than him.”

They walked into the hall, still hand in hand. It was something neither of them had consciously thought about since they’d left the church. It just felt natural to them both to gravitate towards one another and always be connected. Plus, it didn’t hurt the charade they were playing out.

A round of applause erupted, and whoops of excitement filled the air, along with several wolf whistles from Dani and the car crew.

“Here we go. Incoming,” Caz whispered, spotting Grace’s parents heading straight for them. “I’m gonna go and chat with the girls—let you have some time with them.”

Their hands slid slowly apart as though their fingertips were not ready to detach. Eyes held on one another until Grace was tapped on the shoulder and turned to find a very happy face staring at her.

“Mum,” Grace said, before one last glance over her shoulder at a retreating Caz. A glass of champagne was handed to her and she took a long gulp, still watching for where Caz had gone.

“Oh, Gracie, that was just…beautiful,” her mum said, dabbing at her eyes. “Such a lovely service.”

“It was, wasn’t it? I don’t really remember much.” Grace laughed. Her eyes scanned the room. Caz had completely disappeared from her line of sight, and she felt the loss of her by her side.

“Don’t worry, Sweetpea, it’s all on video.” Her dad leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Your wife already legged it?”

“Yeah, I think she’s…” She looked around for a third time before, finally, she spotted the long dark hair through a window. ”She’s getting some air with her friends.”

“I still can’t believe it, really. Who’d have thought it—you and Caz after all these years.” Ron chuckled.

“I know…took us by surprise, too,” Grace said, still watching Caz. She smiled to herself when something Portia said made Caz laugh and her new wife’s entire face lit up.

“Did it?” her mum asked seriously, and Grace brought her attention back to the room. “I mean, I know you’ve never been gay, but, I dunno, I always thought there was something about Caz that just…fit with you.”

“Really?” She caught sight of Caz through the window again, only this time, Caz was looking back. They shared a smile. “I suppose we have always been thick as thieves.”

“And the rest,” her mum laughed, “I thought she’d moved in with us at one point, she was there so often.”

“Was she? I don’t remember that.”

“Ron, what did we say about Caz that summer? You remember?”

“We said, ‘At this rate, we’ll have to start charging rent.’”

They both laughed and Grace smiled, but her attention was still on Caz, laughing again with her work bestie, Dani. Fooling everyone into thinking they were a real couple was going to be a piece of cake if her own parents bought it.

“I’m just going to…find my wife.”

“Good plan. Dinner will be served in a few minutes.” Her dad glanced at his watch and nodded. “I’m starving. Couldn’t eat a thing this morning—I was that nervous.”

“Oh, Dad, you are sweet.”

“Only gonna happen this once. I couldn’t mess it up for you, Sweetpea.”

“Never.” She kissed his cheek then gave her mum a quick hug. “Go get settled, I’ll find Caz.”

Outside, the fresh air was welcome. She waved to Caz, who spoke quietly to Dani and then walked away from her group of friends towards Grace.

“Everything alright?”

“Yes, darling,” Grace said, as another small group bundled outside for cigarettes, passing them. When they were out of earshot, she said, “Dinner is about to be served and we need to be in place, ready for speeches.”

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