Page 132 of Fake As Puck
I turn to see him walking toward us, and my heart does something insane in my chest. It’s in a tight knot.
He looks beautiful. Relaxed but put-together, like he belongs in this wonderful place. Like he’s genuinely happy to see me.
“You two are really together?” Linda asks, looking between us with raised eyebrows.
“Yeah. She’s my... we’re...” West trails off, clearly struggling with how to finish that sentence.
“We are together,” I supply, hoping it sounds more confident than it feels.
Linda stares at us for a long moment, then smiles.
She looks at me with the kind of knowing expression that makes me feel like she can see straight through to my soul.
“Well,” she says finally, “you look beautiful, Liv. That dress is stunning.”
“Thank you.”
“And you,” she says, turning to West, “look nervous as hell.”
“I’m not nervous.”
“Honey, you’re rattling. I can see it in your shoulders.”
He glances at me, and I offer a kind smile because my heart is in my throat too.
His mom continues on, grabbing his shoulders. “Can we not do this here?” West asks, glancing around at the other wedding guests who are definitely listening to our conversation.
“Of course. We’ll continue this later.” Linda pats his cheek.
She walks away, leaving the three of us standing in silence.
Charlie and Emma run to their uncle West. “Mickey Mouse!” Charlie says, and Emma hits his knee.
“I threw up,” Charlie announces proudly to West.
“On the plane?” West asks, lifting her up.
“On Daddy.”
“Poor Daddy,” Tessa adds.
Charlie says, “He said bad words.”
West answers, “I bet he did.”
We’re interrupted by David approaching, looking like he’s been through a war.
“They were angels,” he says sarcastically. “Absolute angels.”
“I can see that,” West says, trying not to laugh.
“Where’s your room?” Tessa asks. “I need to get these two settled before they destroy something expensive.”
“Third floor. You?” West answers, looking at me. “You’re with me,” West says quickly. “I mean, we’re sharing. A room. Like we discussed.”
Tessa answers, “We’re on the second.”
I say to West, “Right. Like we discussed.”
