Page 6 of Four Weddings to Fall in Love
“Iris!”I say.Why are you disrupting me?Can’t you tell I was busy?
Incredibly, I manage not to swear.
“I’m really sorry,” she says.“Tessa is tossing the bouquet in a few minutes, and she insisted I find you.”
“For fuck’s sake.”And there it is.“I don’t even want to catch the bouquet.”
“I know.I told her that, but like I said, she insisted.”
“Fine,” I huff.“I’ll be there in a minute.”
Iris nods and starts walking away.But she looks back a few seconds later, and although it’s hard to tell in the darkness, I think she shoots me a wink.
I turn to Max.“We’ll continue this later?”
Chapter 3
Max
Fireandice.That’show I think of us.
I’m cool.Reserved.
She’s bold.A flame that consumes whatever’s in its path.
This is the first time I’ve kissed a woman not long after meeting her.I haven’t made out with a huge number of women.Some, sure—I’ve had a few relationships—but not many.
Kim knows what she wants, and, improbably, she wantsme.
I’m entranced.
“Why don’t you want to catch the bouquet?”I ask as we make our way back to the tent.
“It’s a stupid tradition,” she says.“Many brides don’t bother with it these days, but for some reason, Tessa still wants to do it.”
I wonder how often the person who grabs the bouquet actually gets married next.Probably very rarely, but I bet anytime it happens, everyone makes a big deal of it.
“Besides,” she continues, “it’s not like I want to get married—or even have a long-term relationship again.”
“No?”My tone is mild, but I can’t help feeling a little deflated.
Not that I was thinking of marriage; I just met her.But I’d considered asking if she wanted to see me again, back in Toronto—does she live in Toronto?I don’t even know.
Except now, I suspect she’s just looking for a one-night stand.
My heart thumps faster at the thought of that purple fabric pooling on the floor of the hotel room.I’ve never had a one-night stand before.
And I don’t know her.I tell myself that I don’t know enough to want more.
Maybe a one-night stand is just perfect for us.
Though as I look at her face in the shadows, her updo slightly askew, I can’t help thinking it won’t be enough.
I try to banish the thought.
“And you?”she asks.“Do you want to get married one day?”
“Yes, one day.”I did get close to proposing a few years ago, but instead, I broke up with my girlfriend after realizing she didn’t love me; I just ticked a bunch of boxes, and she was ready to settle down.
