Page 101 of Storm in a Teacup
I introduce myself to her. “Hi, I’m Ben.”
Her face brightens. “Ah, Linny’s ‘boyfriend.’” She puts air quotes around the word.
Harry says, “Emily, put those fingers away.”
She rolls her eyes, but just says, “Sorry. Hello, Harold.”
He grins. “Hiya, Em.”
I know they’re divorced, but there is an odd sexual tension between them that I have uncomfortably been put in the middle of. I glance around Harry, hoping for some reason that one ofLinny’s sisters will step in to save me, but from the looks on their faces, I think they find my current position rather funny. I’ve seen a very similar expression of amusement in Linny’s eyes before. They want to watch me sweat.
Emily focuses back on me. “So, Ben, what do you do for a living?”
I resist the urge to gulp. “I run a café. Right next door to Better than New, actually.”
“Really?” She looks around me at Harry. “Harold, did you know they worked next door to one another?”
“I did.”
She huffs. “Linny never mentioned that to me. She said you met on a bench.”
“We did meet on a bench, to be fair.”
“But you work next door to one another?”
“Yeah. Lucky coincidence.”
Harry nudges me. “Some would call that fate, son.”
I gulp now. “Yeah, some would.” I look at him seriously. “I am very lucky to have met your daughter.”
“Damn right,” he confirms.
We quiet down when Julien and Paul enter the church, knowing the ceremony is about to begin. The minister is not far behind them. The music commences, and the bridal party starts to walk in. Linny enters the church linked to Darren. I want to catch her eye, but she is looking straight ahead. She squeezes Darren’s arm before she lets go of him and takes her place at the front of the church.
As the rest of the bridal party enters behind her, she glances over our way. I think she sees her mum first, then her dad, her gaze glancing over me. Then she notices me and where I am sitting, stuck between her parents. Brow furrowed, she looks backand forth between them, then catches my eye. I give a small shrug, making her giggle into her bouquet.
Then the bridal march starts, so we stand, all eyes turned to Melanie walking in with her father.I glance back at Julien, who has a smile so wide on his face as he watches the love of his life walk down the aisle. I’ve been to plenty of weddings before, but I think this is the first one I have ever felt jealous at.
My attention shifts to Linny, who is watching Mel with tears in her eyes. I should keep watching Mel, but Linny has stolen my focus. As she always does.
We take our seats as soon as Mel’s father gives her away and Julien takes her hand. The ceremony continues, and my eyes stay on one specific woman in pink rather than the one in white.
…
I meet Linny outside the church after they proceed out, only for a moment, as they need to go back inside to take photos.
“Hi, again,” I say as soon as I see her.
“Hi.” She adjusts my tie, then smooths it down. “How did you end up between my parents?”
“Blame your dad and your sisters. I was sitting happily on my own near the back of the church before he came to get me.” I lower my voice. “So, your parents…?”
“Are still completely into each other? Yes. It’s disturbing. Divorce was grossly good for their relationship.” Linny’s hands are still on my tie. “It was nice to see you sitting with my family.”
Linny turns when someone calls her name. “I’ve got to go. Are you fine getting to the reception venue? I think Kensie or Paul is going to drive me.”
“Aye, I’ll see you there.”
