Page 5 of One Weekend in Perth

It was possible, but the way Ben rushed up to her in the hotel as if she was a lifeline negated that thought.

As if he finally made up his mind, Ben came over to where she’d perched herself back on the bed and grabbed the bottle of wine out of her hand. He finished the contents, a full body shudder rippled through him. “Fuck, that’s gross.”

“I know, but you can’t expect to have ‘top-shelf’ in the mini fridge.”

“I suppose.” He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. “Everything is so fucked up.”

Nothing hurt Clara more than seeing her friend so distressed. Regardless of his claim that he wasn’t sure he loved Fern, she believed his heart was broken. “I’m sure it can be fixed.”

Although if she found out that her betrothed was cheating on her an hour before the ceremony, she’d have run off too.

By now Ben’s absence would have to have been noticed. There’s no way Reed wouldn’t be frantically searching for his brother. The muffled sound of her cell’s ringtone came from her small clutch. Beside her, Ben stiffened, as though he knew the call was from someone looking for him. “Do you want me to get it?” she asked softly.

“Probably for the best.”

Clara retrieved her phone from her bag as the ringing stopped. She could see the call was from Reed. Seemed her thoughts about him had conjured him up. “It was Reed.”

“Surprised he took this long to call you.”

“Do you want me to call him back?”

“I want to say no, but I don’t want to worry my brother.”

Clara could understand his apprehension. No one wanted to admit that their fiancée wasn’t the person they thought they were. Let alone to family. But she believed Reed would understand and wouldn’t cast out any judgment. Once Reedknew the truth, he’d be glad Ben had found out when he did. “I’m sure he’s already concerned that he can’t find you.”

“Especially since my wallet and phone are still in the room where I was getting ready,” Ben said with a small smile.

“Right, then we need to let him know you’re okay.” Clara woke up her phone and called Reed. He picked up almost immediately.

“Clara! Do you have him?” For the first time since she’d known the Bolton boys, Reed sounded frazzled, so out of character for the normally cool-headed former soldier.

“I do.”

“Thank fuck,” Reed said. “Is he coming back?”

Clara looked over at Ben, and he shook his head, obviously having heard Reed’s question. “No.”

“Okay, can I talk to him?”

Ben shook his head, and normally she’d heed her friend’s wishes, but not this time. She held out the phone. “You need to say something.”

His eyes narrowed in annoyance, and Clara took it on the chin. There it was, the anger she knew had to be lurking within him.

From past experience, she knew Ben wouldn’t stay angry with her for long. She waggled the phone in his face, and after another couple of seconds, he snatched it from her. “I’m fine. With Clara at her hotel. The wedding is off. I’ll explain everything later.” He ended the call and tossed the phone on the bed, glaring at her. “Happy now?”

“No, I’m not happy. Why would I be? My best friend found out the future he was excited about is disintegrating in front of him. How can I be happy about that?”

Chapter 3

Beingangry at Clara wasn’t going to fix anything. He was being angry at the wrong person. Clara’s phone shrilled beside him, and he didn’t need to look at the screen to know who was calling again. There was no way Reed would’ve been happy with his response, and he was making his brother deal with the fallout from him walking out on the wedding, but there was no way he could go back and face Fern and not say something.

“Hey Reed.”

Clara taking the call didn’t surprise him, and Reed would know that too, which was why he called again. Probably trying to seek answers. Answers Clara didn’t have because he hadn’t given her the full story. He half-listened to their conversation.

“Okay, I’ll let him know. And thanks, I know he’ll appreciate it. I’ll look after him. I promise. Bye.”

Ben looked up at her, his fury abating a little. “Thanks.”

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