Page 74 of Don't Point at the Moon

Preceded by the bridesmaids, Sammi’s father accompanied her down the centre aisle before helping her onto the stage then retreating to his seat in the front row.

The ceremony played out during the next forty-five minutes, with vows spoken, rings exchanged and finally, the kiss that had everyone applauding. In the end, the newlyweds descended the steps and strolled unhurriedly down the aisle, frequently chatting with congregation members and showered by rose petals on their way to the waiting white Rolls-Royce. Before they had reached the final row, Gerry nudged Mitchell.

“Wanna grab a cold one at the Hyatt?” he asked, standing and stretching. “Alec tells me they’re serving drinks in the lobby bar. And those taxis will soon be snagged if we don’t shake a leg.”

Mitchell stared above the sea of heads coming their way but couldn’t see Tommy. Or anyone else, for that matter. Maybe they had already left. Mitchell sighed in resignation. Getting Mitchell together with Gerry had been the plan, after all.

“Why not? A quick drink can’t do any harm. Lead the way.”

Chapter Twenty

The moment the ceremony ended, as the bride and groom made their way down the aisle, Tommy thanked the violinists before jumping down from the stage. Overheated from wearing his suit in the midday sun and eager to grab a cold drink and find Mitchell, Tommy locked his cello and bow into their case. Once he had stashed the instrument securely, he headed for the small white tent where his friends sheltered. Huddled around a tall table, he found Devon, Oscar and William—but no Mitchell. With Harold still recovering in hospital because of complications with his surgery, Mitchell had asked if William could be invited.

“You’re a dark horse, Tommy Chow,” said Oscar, patting his shoulder and shoving a glass of bubbly into his hand. “You play beautifully. Heaven only knows how my boyfriend managed to keep that amazing talent of yours a secret.”

“No need to cover for me, darling,” said Devon, pecking Oscar on the cheek. “Tommy knows how hopeless I am at keeping secrets. I told him you’d be playing, Tommy, but made him swear to tell nobody. Honestly, I didn’t even know if you would go through with the whole playing-to-an-audience thing.”

“Sammi would have killed me if I’d backed out. Where’s Mitchell?”

Not that Tommy didn’t appreciate his friend’s praise, but he wanted Mitchell’s opinion.

“Nobody’s seen him,” said Devon, trying to hide his concern. “But don’t worry. I’m sure he’s around here somewhere.”

“She looks beautiful, by the way,” said Oscar, maybe to distract Tommy. “Your sister.”

“Like a modern day Princess Grace of Morocco,” said Devon, adding a sigh. “And their vows almost had me in tears again. Come on, Oz. Let’s go over and say hello before they’re chauffeured off to the reception.”

Oscar and Devon sauntered across the lawn, arms around each other. Once again, Tommy scanned the grounds to see if he could spot Mitchell.

“What the hell did you do to him?” asked Aaron, appearing through the crowd. Sammi had told him that Aaron had managed to snag an invitation courtesy of his cousin, one of the bridesmaids.

“Devon?” asked Tommy, following Aaron’s line of sight to an row of seats at the back of the lawn.

“Baxter. He certainly washes up well,” said Aaron, nodding his approval. “You managed to turn an ugly fuckling into a swan.”

“I did nothing. Mitchell Baxter,” said Tommy, irked at Aaron’s tone, “has a unique brand of attraction.”

“If you say so. He’s certainly looking delicious today.”

“Where is he?” asked Tommy.

“Alec’s friend seemed to think so,” said William. “Practically drooling on him.”

“The haircut, the designer clothes, the makeover,” said Aaron, rubbing his chin. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him looking more…”

“Uncomfortable?” finished William, staring off into the crowd. Tommy glared at him but saw only pity in his eyes. “Thank goodness Harold wasn’t here. He’d have been mortified.”

Had Mitchell looked uncomfortable? If only Tommy hadn’t been in such a rush that morning, he could at least have checked in with him. But Mitchell had willingly volunteered to dress in the clothes they’d picked out together. He’d sacrificed his usualplain style to improve his appearance. Or had he only agreed because he’d wanted to make Tommy happy?

“Where the hell is he?” asked Tommy.

“Poor thing. About to lose his job, too,” said William, either oblivious to or ignoring the remark.

“William. Where’s Mitchell?”

“I think him and Gerry went to the Hyatt,” came Alec’s voice behind him. “One of the bridesmaids saw them getting into the back of a taxi together.”

Tommy's heart sank. When he turned, Alec studied him with sympathy. Tommy had texted Mitchell a couple of times during the week, but they had not spoken because of Mitchell’s stupid work issues and Tommy being roped in after school to carry out last-minute wedding chores and entertain relatives.

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