Page 8 of And the Best Man Ran Away With the Groom

“What are you talking about? It’s a brilliant idea.” I’m actually still a little shocked that I even managed to talk Xavier into going. Alastor helped, of course; it’s a shame he has to work because it would definitely be a lot of fun if he could join us. But even with just Xavier and me it’s still going to be a great trip; I’m going to make sure of it. Number one on my priority list: help Xav get over Jack.

Alicia pauses in her task of folding the kids’ clean washing to glance up and cast me a plaintive look. “Trent, you’ve been cleaning up after Jack’s messes since you were kids. Maybe it’s time you let him deal with his own cock-up? Maybe then he’ll start to learn some responsibility.”

I narrow my eyes at her, instantly jumping to my best mate’s defence. “Don’t act like he hasn’t had my back when I’ve needed him.” Jack might be a little thoughtless at times, with a tendency toward rash action, but he’s always been there for me when it counted. “Besides,” I add, “this isn’t really about Jack. It’s about Xav. I feel bad for the guy.”

“I didn’t realise you guys were such good mates?”

“Well, we’re not,” I admit. “But only because I haven’t had a chance to get to know him that well yet. What I do know is that he desperately needs to get away for a bit, and I happen to have a few more weeks off work—why not spend them in Thailand?”

She arches a sceptical brow at me. “And he’s just thrilled to be spending the next two weeks on a holiday with his ex’s best mate?”

I offer a wry smirk. “Come on, Alicia. Who wouldn’t want to spend two weeks with me? I’m fucking amazing.”

GLOSSARY

Holiday - Vacation

4

Xavier

“Ican’t believe I let you talk me into this,” I grumble into the phone at Alastor as my Uber makes its way to the airport.

“Oh, I’m sorry. Two weeks in Koh Samui is going to be such a hardship on you,” is his droll response.

I sigh, tossing my head back against the leather seat. “You know what I mean. I barely even know Trent. And I don’t care what either of you say—it’s weird going on a trip with my ex’s best friend.”

“It’s only weird if you let it be weird,” Alastor says. “And trust me, Trent’s a good bloke. I have no idea why he’s friends with Macey. Maybe they made some kind of death pact when they were kids and now Trent can’t escape.”

“Alastor…” I warn.

“What?” he asks, all innocent. “You’re broken up. I don’t need to hold my tongue anymore. Please let me enjoy this one silver lining.”

I roll my eyes. “Go ahead, enjoy. It’s so wonderful to know my best friend was hoping for my relationship to implode the entire time.”

“I wasn’thopingfor it to implode.”

“But you’re glad it has,” I press. I have to admit I didn’t actually realise just how much my best friend disliked the guy I’d planned to spend the rest of my life with. I mean, I knew Jack wasn’t Alastor’s favourite person and vice versa, but they both did pretty good jobs of putting whatever shit they have between them aside while Jack and I were together. For over a year I lived under the assumption that they’d warm up to each other eventually, but in the last couple of days it’s become clear just how naive that notion was. It’s as though the abandoned wedding caused a dam to burst for Alastor and all his true thoughts and feelings have come flooding out.

He sighs, his tone more serious now. “I just never thought he was good enough for you. And clearly, I was right. But I’m notgladyou’re all heartbroken,” he clarifies. “That’s why I think this trip’s a good idea. The sooner you start moving on, the better.”

Considering Alastor’s most serious relationship lasted about four days I’m not sure he’s in the best place to give advice about moving on from heartbreak, so I take his comment with a grain of salt. Truthfully, though, I’m not sure how heartbroken I actually am; I still feel numb about the situation as a whole—the shock and embarrassment has definitely not worn off just yet—but I honestly don’t know how upset I am about the breakup itself. I should be devastated, right? I was planning to marry Jack, and then, just like that…

“I should go. I’m at the airport,” I say to Alastor as the car pulls up at the international terminal.

“Alright, have fun.” He manages to pack those words full of innuendo and I can’t stop myself from rolling my eyes.

I end the call and slip my phone back in my pocket before climbing out of the car and retrieving my suitcase from the boot. Then I head inside the bustling terminal and go in search of the right check-in desk.

I don’t usually fly business class. In fact, I usually opt for whatever the best deal is when I’m booking flights and accommodation, but this trip was supposed to be for a special occasion, so I decided to splurge a bit. Now that it’s just a holiday and not a honeymoon, I cancelled the booking at the ultra-romantic resort in a secluded part of Koh Samui, opting for something a bit more cost-effective in Chaweng. But I wasn’t about to give up my chance to fly in style, even if it’s not quite the trip I was anticipating when I booked.

I don’t have Trent’s exact flight information, but I know he’s on an earlier one than me; it’s actually quite possible that he’s in the air already. I feel a small twinge of guilt when I remember his insistence that he’d wait for me at the airport in Thailand so we could go to the resort together; I hope he’s not waitingtoolong. I can’t imagine there’ll be much to do in Koh Samui airport. But then I give a sharp shake of my head, reminding myself that I didn’taskTrent to wait for me; if he’s inconvenienced it’s his own fault.

I check in and make my way through security and passport control; once I’m clear on the other side, I scan the flight information boards and see that my flight is scheduled to board in an hour from gate twenty-two.

With time to kill, I make my way to the business class lounge to see what all the fuss is about. As soon as I step inside the noise and bustle from the terminal seems to melt away. I can’t help gazing around in awe as I take in the lush surroundings; if this is business, I can’t even fathom how swanky the first class lounge must be. I’ll never find out first-hand, that’s for sure.

Spotting the bar on the other side of the lounge, I start making my way over.

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