Page 76 of The Day After Christmas
‘Shoot,’ said Felicity, wrapping a foot underneath her and trying to focus on being in the present moment.
Bex took in a long slow breath. ‘I’m so glad you were the first one here, Fliss.’
Felicity gave a wry smile. ‘Maid of Honour Extraordinaire, that’s me.’
‘Yes, well, I’m grateful because I wanted to talk to you.’
‘Okay…’
‘Stop saying okay like that. You make it sound like you think I’m some kind of ogre.’
Felicity felt her face flush a little. That was exactly what she thought. ‘Nonsense.’
‘Of course you do. And who could blame you? I am marrying Adam, after all.’
Acid began bubbling in Felicity’s stomach and she cursed herself for not bringing the Rennies. ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘You know exactly what it means,’ snapped Bex.
The sharpness of her tone took Felicity’s breath away. ‘I’m afraid I don’t. I can’t tell if you’re implying you think I still have feelings for him or…’
‘I’m not implying anything. I’m saying it.’ Bex was properly scowling now.
Felicity stood up and started pacing back and forwards across the room. She felt like she’d been ambushed but she wasn’t sure how it had happened, exactly.
‘Saying what? That you think I still love Adam? You must know that’s not true. How could that ever be true? After what he did? After what you both did?’
Bex shrugged. Actually shrugged. ‘The heart wants what the heart wants. Isn’t that the line?’
Bile rose in Felicity’s throat and she had to swallow three times, which at least gave her a moment to think.
‘Let me get this straight,’ she began. ‘On the day before your wedding to my ex-boyfriend, the man who you cheated on mewith for years and have now elected for some unknown reason to tie yourself to for eternity, you are accusing me of being still in love with him? Do I have that straight?’ Felicity knew the hot flash of anger was visible on her pale cheeks but she no longer cared.
To her surprise, Bex burst into tears. Great, lashing sobs that shook her whole body. Felicity stood paralysed, only able to watch as her friend, or whatever she was, tried to get herself under control. She had never ever seen Bex cry like this.
‘No,’ Bex said, sniffing, ‘that’s not it at all.’
‘But you said?—’
‘I know what I said,’ Bex cut in, swallowing another enormous sob, the tears rolling freely down her cheeks. ‘I know what I said but I didn’t mean it. I’m so sorry, Felicity.’
Felicity sat back down in the alcove with a thump and patted Bex’s knee.
‘What did you mean then?’ she said, trying to keep her voice even.
‘I know it’s not your fault,’ said Bex. ‘And I know I’m the worst person in the whole world for even thinking it but I think Adam still loves you. And I hate you for it. And I’m so sorry.’
Felicity rubbed at her forehead. ‘There’s no way that’s true,’ she said, after a few moments’ thought.
Bex looked up at her, hope flashing in her eyes. It was kind of pathetic. Felicity suddenly felt really sorry for her. Maybe she really did love Adam.
‘You don’t think so?’
Felicity shook her head. ‘No, I don’t think so. I’m being truthful. I’ve barely seen him since you two got engaged so I have no idea where you even got this from.’
‘Because he said…’
Felicity held up a hand at that. ‘I actually don’t want to know what he said.’Even though she really did.‘I can’t see how that’s going to help anyone, is it?’
