Page 40 of Bitten Vampire
It still hurts that he never defended me against her slander, but why should he? I’m only his son’s ex-partner. I was never family.
“Hi, Hamish,” I reply, matching his smile.
“You look incredible. Being single suits you.”
“Thank you. May I say you look extremely dapper in that suit?”
“Why thank you.”
He guides me onto the patio: broad slabs of white stone framed by manicured gardens and the hotel’s rear façade, where floor-to-ceiling doors stand wide open. Inside, a dining room glows in white and gold tones.
Small groups of guests chat over champagne flutes while waiting staff drift past with silver trays. Somewhere nearby, a string quartet threads the delicate hum of music through the laughter and conversation.
I spot the gift table, place mine among the others—white and gold boxes, tissue-stuffed bags with glittery bows. Mine blends in perfectly: classy, tasteful, not at all petty.
Not…obviously, anyway.
I feel eyes on me. Some curious, others confused, a few outright hostile. The stares range fromWhat’s she doing here?toWow, her ‘magical makeover’ is impressive.
Yet there are smiles too, little nods of recognition from people I met during those ten long years. Old acquaintances wave as though we’re still connected. I wave back and smile.
It’s curious that none of our former friends are here. Perhaps Melissa planted her designer heel and struck them from the guest list. I still can’t fathom why I’m here or why I came at all. The idea of reclaiming my career seems silly now.
“This is lovely,” I say, my gaze snagging on the ceremony space: rows of white chairs flank a pale aisle and six flower-arched gateways.Six, as if one weren’t enough. I’m so glad that this isn’t my wedding day. Nothing says closure like attending your ex’s wedding on your own birthday.Cheers to me.
“Melissa and Theresa worked very hard on all this,” Hamish says with a small grimace, trying to hide behind his glass.
I smile and pat his hand. I’m simply glad to see a friendly face and secretly relieved security didn’t toss me out at the gates. Perhaps that’s the real reason why I didn’t risk the hotel car park.
Hamish passes me a glass of orange juice, then steers me towards a knot of relatives.
“These are a few of Jay’s cousins,” he says. “Maristella, Tracy, Belinda and?—”
“Oh, we’ve met,” Maristella cuts in, eyes wide. “Ages ago, five years, I think?”
“Yes, I think so. Lovely to see you all.” I smilepolitely.
“You look fantastic! Whatever you’re doing, it’s working,” says Belinda. She and the others exchange one of those tight-lipped glances that says far more than intended.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” Tracy blurts, then winces. “Oh, I don’t mean that badly. I just mean… wow.”
“You’re incredibly brave,” Belinda says.
“Incredibly beautiful,” adds a new voice. “Hello, ladies.”
A man steps into the circle with the confidence of someone who has never heard no. Dark hair, film star looks, and he knows it.
“I’m Charlie,” he says, flashing a toothpaste-advert grin. “We haven’t been introduced.”
He offers his hand.
“Fred.” I hesitate, but everyone is watching, so I accept.
Mistake.
He lifts my hand, and instead of a friendly shake, presses a kiss to the back of it. I keep my expression miraculously neutral, though the impulse to wipe away his spit is immediate. I step discreetly back.
“So,” Charlie says with what he clearly thinks is a charming smirk, “bride or groom?”
