Page 60 of Arse Over Irish Teacup
“That was the most delicious meal! Did you have the chocolate dessert or the raspberry?”
“The chocolate. I thought about getting both.”
Of course, he had. She’d remembered ordering two desserts on the plane too. She didn’t mention that she had offered to split hers with Roan who had the chocolate torte but he’d declined. The spoiled sport. “I ate more than I should have.”
“Nonsense. Life is too short not to enjoy yourself—or so they say.” Her perfect heart shaped smile lit up her face. He would miss her smile. There was another awkward moment of silence before Aidan spoke again. “Listen, enjoy the rest of the wedding and I hope you have a safe flight home.” With a nod and a quick smile, he turned to head for the nearest exit. At this point he would jump down a manhole if that’s what it took to get him out.
“Are you leaving?”
“Yeah, weddings aren’t really my thing and Heather won’t mind.”
Beth cocked the corner of her mouth. She didn’t know Heather well, but something told her she would mind very, very much.
Aidan flicked his hand in the air. “Okay, Heather won’t mind until she realizes I’m gone and that won’t be for a long time.” After which she will string him up by his toenails and rip out his nose hairs one by one. Which would be marginally less painful than watching Beth enjoy herself with Roan.
Heather was going to find out about Aidan’s absence a whole lot quicker than he’d anticipated.
Should Beth tell him Heather is in the ladies’ room? Probably. I mean, that’s what smiling, happy people do, right? They warn others away from trouble.
Beth couldn’t say what possessed her but right then she kept his sister’s whereabouts to herself. Clearly, he was intent on leaving, why stop him? “Well, thank you for the dance and everything else. I wouldn’t have made it without you.” Her sweet face smiled at him as she stood on her tip toes to softly kiss him goodbye on his whiskered cheek.
He hadn’t seen that kiss coming. The place on his cheek where her soft lips had touched his scruffy face turned warm and he got warm and gushy inside. Like all he wanted was to throw his arms around her and sweep her off her feet.
Oh, come on! All he wanted was to leave, go home, and drink cider until he couldn’t pronounce it!
Bullshit. All he really wanted was to dance with Beth again.
Then Heather appeared in the ladies’ room doorway. “Aidan, there you are. I was looking for you.”
Aidan looked at the angel-faced traitor, Beth, with his tongue in his cheek. He may have had that coming.
Elbows bent, she raised her hands and fluttered her long eyelashes, feigning innocence.
“You were looking for me in the ladies’ room?” he said, still looking at Beth.
“No,” Heather sneered. “I made a pit stop.” She pinched his sleeve and tugged. “You have to dance with Kim.”
“Nope. Not on your life.”
“Come on Aidan, please? She’s dying to dance with you and you’re such a great dancer. You know how much I love seeing you dance.”
“Yes, dear sister, I know. I also know that I just rubbed Kim’s foot print off my thigh.”
That was not an acceptable excuse. “I’ll tell her to keep her hands to herself. But the maid of honor always dances with the best man, you know that.” She was whining.
“Heather, I just met Joey last week. I don’t think he knows I’m his best man. I’m not even sure he knows who I am at all. Therefore, I do not. I repeat do not feel guilty for saying no.”
Heather appealed to Beth. “Beth, help me out here, would you?”
“She’s right. It’s tradition.”
Aidan pursed his lips together. Beth was full of it today!
“It’s only one dance. Just a few measly minutes to make your sister’s wedding perfect. How bad could it be?” With that, Beth excused herself.
Heather waited until Beth was out of earshot before leaning close to Aidan and speaking low. “Beth’s much prettier than you described. And so, so nice! I knew she would be.”
“How’s that?”
