Page 17 of Where Quiet Hearts Scream
His brows arch and he grins. “That is a lot ofItalians. The main function room here is pretty impressive. I’m assuming it will take place in there?”
“That’s right,” I say, smiling at the way he’s indulging me.
“And you’re a bridesmaid,” he states, to which I nod. “I’m guessing there are ushers, a best man?”
He lifts a fork and starts digging into his chicken.
I spear some pasta. “Two ushers and a best man. Benito, his name is.” Then I pop it into my mouth as delicately as I can.
The air around me grows a little cool and I lift my lids to see Andrew watching me with a rigid jaw, his gaze slightly distant.
“Is your chicken okay?” I ask, mildly alarmed.
He dips his gaze back to his plate and slices another piece. “It’s delicious.”
We eat in silence for a while, then Andrew lowers his cutlery and offers a small smile. “So, when does the wedding party arrive? I guess that’s the moment you’ll be run off your feet?”
I laugh. “You got that right. They arrive the Thursday, and the wedding is on the Saturday. Me and my sisters will be having a little bachelorette party to celebrate.”
He waits for me to finish eating then props an elbow on the table and rests his chin on his fist. My eyes are drawn to the ink covering the backs of his hands and wrists and I have to swallow for the millionth time since we sat down.
“I was a best man once,” he muses. “It was anhonor, but there’s so much pressure to do an amazing speech. I think I wrote it out thirty times before the big day.”
“Was it funny, or a flop?” I ask. Working in one of the Hamptons’ most popular wedding venues has exposed me to many a best man’s speech and the quality is, let’s say, varied.
He wipes a knuckle across his mouth, stifling a smile. “If it was a flop no one would have dared tell me.”
His voice has dropped to a whisper so I don’t quite hear.
“I’m sorry, what did you say?”
“I said, if it was a flop, no one told me.”
“Ah, of course,” I grin. “They wouldn’t have wanted to hurt your feelings. You must have some very considerate friends.”
Hie eyes narrow and he feigns an accusatory glare. “What are you saying?”
“Nothing,” I laugh. “I’m sure it was a very funny speech.”
We talk easily for a little while longer until I check my watch and realize, with a sinking heart, I need to change into a fresh uniform then get back on shift.
“I can’t believe it’s that time already. I have to go.”
I drop my napkin to the table and stand.
“It’s been a pleasure, Andrew. Thank you for inviting me.”
His chin tilts and his eyes sparkle like onyx stones in the sunlight.
“The pleasure has been all mine.” He swallows, then lightly bites down on his bottom lip like there’s more he wants to say, but no further words come out.
I shift awkwardly from foot to foot, unsure of how to leave our short rendezvous. This was never going to become anything, anyway. Maybe friendship at a push. But the second Andrew Stone checks out of the hotel, he’ll forget about me. Another guest will take his place and another waitress will take mine.
That last thought tightens a fist around my heart. Of course there will be another woman. Someone stunning, accomplished, slim. My throat closes up and I feel like I might cry. I would give anything to have a man like Andrew Stone want me. But it’s a pipe dream. It’ll never happen. I’m stupid to even think about it.
“Okay, well, I’ll see you then,” I mutter, then turn on my heel and walk away quickly before he catches the swollen tear as it slides down my cheek.
Andrew
