Page 71 of Promise Me Ever After
If I could get that key from Stella, we already had one…
“Sorry, mate. It’s been a long day away from this one. And there’s something I need to tell her in person.” Alex released me and pulled me flush to him, moulding my body to his.
His actions made all the frustration and negativity at seeing Russ almost slip away. Almost, but not quite. Knowing he was here, in the room somewhere was driving me to distraction. Knowing my sister had sanctioned the invite and hadn’t thought to mention it also riled me.
“You guys want a drink, or—” Curtis asked. He waggled his eyebrows.
Stella rushed over. Perhaps now was my opportunity to ask her about the room key. “Georgie, you need to come now, Darcy wants some more pictures of her and the bridesmaids.”
Of course she did. At least I could confront her over Russ’s attendance.
“Do all the bridesmaids look this amazing?” Alex held me at arm’s length and twirled me around.
“Why should you care? You’re only interested in one.” I laughed, the sound refreshing my current state of mind.
He spun me once more, then drew me back into him. “Damn right I’m only interested in you. The one I love.”
Our eyes locked, hazel on sapphire.
Everyone else in the room disappeared and we were the only two there.
Until someone broke into my reverie.
“Georgie, come on,” said Stella. “Darcy will flip if we keep her hanging around.”
I didn’t want to leave Alex, not now he’d arrived. Simply having him close to me dulled the whole Russ-being-there pain.
I sighed. “Sure. Where is she?”
“Out on the patio. She wants to get some shots of the marina.”
“But it’s freezing out there!”
Alex’s breath tickled my ear as he spoke. “I’ll keep you warm.”
I could have kissed him. And I would have if Stella hadn’t grabbed my arm and started dragging me across towards the exit. Alex didn’t let go of my hand.
When we got outside, I wished I was still snuggled up against Alex’s chest. My prediction of plunging temperatures proved correct.
Darcy stood by the railings. She was huddled underneath a couple of blankets that looked like they’d been stolen from the sofas in the hotel reception area. If Ems saw them, she’d go ballistic.
“There you are!” Darcy called. “Seriously, who wants pictures of a blue bride?”
I stepped away from Alex’s protection and went towards my sister, trying to ignore the cold. “Well, I think you were the one who came up with the picture lists.”
The photographer fiddled about with his camera and called out to us to line up. Darcy in the centre, with me on one side and Stella on the other. Alex stepped in to take the blankets away. The three of us huddled together, trying to keep each other warm while the photographer took the pictures Darcy had requested. Aware of the cold, he worked quickly and only a matter of minutes passed before he was happy with the shots.
“Let’s get back inside and get some drinks,” Darcy announced.
“Hang on a sec, sis, I want to ask you something.” I hugged my arms around myself, trying to ignore the need to shiver.
Stella hesitated, but Darcy shooed her back indoors. The photographer also made himself scarce. Alex draped the blankets around each of us and stepped away, staying at a close but respectful distance.
“Why did you agree to let Russ come to the wedding?”
Darcy stared at me, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. Now wasn’t the time for her to lay any little sister shit on me. Her mouth formed a tiny o shape, clearly not expecting my question. “I, um, Fraser…” she stumbled over her response.
Instantly, I knew she hadn’t fought my corner, hadn’t thought about how I would feel if he did turn up, hadn’t thought about seeing him withherwould make me feel.
