Page 35 of Love Me Ever After
I wanted to explain to him why I didn’t think it was the right time, but if I started that conversation, we’d never leave the house. And I didn’t want Georgie to think I’d let her down. Slicking a pale rose coloured lipstick on, I hurriedly got my bag together before we missed the event altogether.
We arrived at E.S. Riverside around twenty minutes later than we should have done. Georgie and Marcus had agonised over the name, wanting something that would reflect the restaurant’s position overlooking the river and also give a gentle nod to the town. I couldn’t remember which of them had come up with it, but it worked perfectly. The views across the river were stunning, particularly if you were lucky enough to have one of the tables by the large windows. The decor was a mixture of rustic and vintage, looking as if it had always been there and it wasn’t brand new.
As soon as we got inside, I found Georgie.
“I am so sorry we’re late, Georgie.” I gave her a swift hug. “I got caught up at work. It was Melody Johnson’s mother’s birthday lunch, and they didnotwant to leave.”
Alex, her boyfriend, let out a hearty laugh. “Why doesn’t that surprise me? Curtis has been texting me all afternoon telling me how awful they were being to him.”
Beside me, Mason coughed. “Oh, Georgie, have you met Mason before?” I asked.
She looked between the two of us. “Mason, as intheMason?”
“You want to go and get a beer, mate?” suggested Alex. “Leave these two to catch up.”
“Sure.” Mason kissed my cheek and the guys went over to the bar.
Georgie grabbed my arm and pulled me over to one corner, where we wouldn’t be disturbed. “How come you two are here together?”
“I didn’t want to bother you because I knew you’d be busy getting tonight sorted and I didn’t want to be a distraction. But we’re back together.” I chewed on the inside of my cheek. “I haven’t seen you since I told you he moved into my house, but let’s just say things moved on pretty quickly after that.”
“And how do you feel about it?” She waved at her sister, Darcy, who came over to us.
She asked a really good question. It had only been three days since we’d agreed to try again, and I guess I’d got caught up in the excitement without giving it too much thought.
“Here.” Darcy shoved a glass of Prosecco at me. “Have this, I can’t keep up my pretence of not drinking much longer.”
“Well, you’re going to have to keep it up for at least another six months unless you start actually telling people why you’re not drinking.” Georgie gave her a sideways glance.
“What am I missing?” I glanced from Georgie to Darcy.
Darcy beamed. “I guess I can tell you. If I don’t tell someone other than the family, I’m going to go nuts. I’m pregnant!”
“That’s fantastic news, congratulations.” I leaned over and hugged her. She might have been a nightmare of a Bridezilla at times, but ultimately, I knew she was genuine. “How far along?”
“Almost three months.” She placed her hands protectively over her stomach. “It’s nearly time to make it official, but we want to be absolutely sure there’s nothing wrong before we do start telling people.”
“Makes sense. How’s Fraser feeling about becoming a dad?” I looked over to where Mason stood talking to Fraser and Alex.
“He’s already bought an England rugby kit.” Darcy rolled her eyes. “I have told him I don’t mind our daughter playing sports, but he’s convinced it’s a boy.”
I squeezed her shoulder. She was younger than me, but way more settled than I was. Living in a shared house, only just back together with the one person I’d ever truly loved, and trying to make strides in my career, children simply weren’t something I’d thought about yet.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Sonya enter the restaurant and make a beeline for the three of us.
“Shit,” I breathed. “I didn’t know she’d be coming.”
“We couldn’t not invite her, and not just because she’s Alex’s mum. She’s been really helpful with this project, even lent us some money,” explained Georgie.
I swallowed down the glass of fizz Darcy had given me, steeling myself for whatever Sonya had to say.
“Georgie, this place looks amazing.” She stepped in and kissed Georgie on both cheeks. “You and Marcus have worked so hard over the past few weeks. It’s fantastic to see it finally come together.”
“Thanks, Sonya, we couldn’t have done it without your help.” Georgie beamed.
A small pang of jealousy hit my stomach. Everything directed at me by Sonya in the past few days had been criticism.
“Let me go and get you a drink,” Georgie said to Sonya. “We’ll be eating soon.”
