Chapter 49
49
It’s been non-stop since Seph and Chester said, ‘I do.’ If weddings are this exhausting for the guests, I can’t even imagine how knackering they must be for the happy couple.
The ceremony went well – and without a hitch – which was a huge relief. I know that Ethan must have done something to fix the bench but I was on the edge of my seat, willing them to stand up and not sit back down again. It was all good though, nothing bad happened, but I’m still waiting to hear how he pulled it off.
After the ceremony the bride and groom went off for their photo shoot while the rest of us were ushered into the marquee to start eating and drinking – I don’t think we’ve stopped doing that since.
It’s fortunate that the garden is so big here because, I swear, there must be at least one hundred guests – and if there aren’t, it certainly feels like there are.
Ethan and I are very much main characters at the wedding – much to Bea’s annoyance. She and Dad approached me earlier, said that they had been talking and that, if I needed somewhere to live, that I could move back in with them. They were keen to insist that this would only be temporary, while I got set up somewhere new.
No – obviously. I didn’t say that though, because I felt Ethan’s reassuring hand on the small of my back, so I just thanked them for the offer. They did wish me happy birthday, as an afterthought, so at least there’s that.
The two of us have been mingling with guests all day. It’s like people are drawn to us – although they’re probably drawn to Ethan specifically, because everyone seems to love him. Well, what’s not to love? It’s nice though. I’ve never felt so welcome and accepted with this crowd – almost like we’re more palatable as a team, like I’m no longer the odd one out. There’s two of us now.
It’s been good though – the food was great, all four courses of it, and Ethan liked it too so he didn’t need to sneak Tim Tams (although I wouldn’t be surprised if he had some in his pocket).
The speeches were… interesting. Well, Beau’s especially. He talked about waiting for the right person, about how settling down didn’t actually involve settling – it sounded way more sophisticated when he said it, but you take my point. He’s not wrong.
He tried to talk to me earlier – to both of us – but it was only polite small talk. I think he’s taken the hint, that I’m not interested, after I gave him the cold shoulder yesterday.
I’m not – definitely – and I know that for sure now. I was initially attracted to him, obviously, and it would have been kind of cool to date an earl, but he was only ever a distraction from what I really wanted, that I thought I couldn’t have – Ethan.
We’re sitting at a large round table – and it is undoubtedly the singles table – not that we care. It’s kind of nice, sitting over here, looking at my family all together on the top table. It feels sort of like watching an old TV show, where you feel like you know the characters. They’re all in their own little bubble, and I know I’m not really a part of it, but I suddenly don’t mind being on the outside looking in. I think sometimes too much emphasis is put on the family you’re born into. I think accepting that we might not have much in common, or get on, or be all that close, is okay. Trying to get people’s approval – or kicking up a fuss in the opposite direction – isn’t the way to go. It’s all about being happy with yourself, and not giving a damn what anyone else thinks. Sure, it’s nice to have had better interactions with them, but I’m happy with the way things are. I couldn’t imagine doing this full-time, that’s for sure.
‘Would you care to dance, m’lady?’ Ethan asks in a silly posh voice, offering me his hand.
‘I would love to, m’lord,’ I reply.
It’s getting dark outside the marquee now. Honestly, the day has passed by so quickly – again, it must go even quicker, if it’s your own special day.
The music is soft and romantic – and the lighting above the dance floor is made to complement the music – so we slow dance. I think this might be the first minute we’ve had alone together all day.
‘I figured this might get us some privacy,’ he says with a smile.
‘It’s a good idea,’ I reply. ‘Unless someone wants to cut in.’
‘I’ll just say no,’ he says, laughing it off. ‘You look incredible, by the way. That’s a beautiful dress – different from the one you’ve had hanging in our room all week though. I really liked that one too.’
I can tell by his tone that he liked my original dress more, but he’s being very polite in saying he likes both.
‘Yeah, well, I thought this one might be more appropriate,’ I reply, like it’s not a big deal.
‘The Lana I met didn’t care what anyone thought,’ he reminds me.
‘The Ethan I met pretended he didn’t have a job,’ I reply.
‘That’s not true,’ he says with a grin. ‘You never asked.’
‘So, Redflags is your app?’ I confirm.
‘Yeah,’ he replies.
‘You know, I used it to try and find a bad date for the wedding,’ I tell him. His eyebrows shoot up. ‘It’s very good at identifying the freaks.’
‘That’s not its intended use,’ he reminds me with a smile. ‘But I’m glad that it works. And I’m definitely going to try to integrate your ideas – your extra safety measures. I think they would be a really good addition.’
‘Oh, God, you don’t have to do that,’ I reply. ‘I know they’re dumb.’
‘They’re not dumb ideas at all,’ he insists. ‘People don’t appreciate how hard it is to keep safe. I want to do my bit to help.’
‘You’re a regular hero, aren’t you?’ I say with a smile. ‘Which brings me on to my next question. The bench. How did you fix it?’
‘Well, I wish I could say that I did it with brawn and manliness,’ he begins. ‘But I didn’t. I went around all the local bars until I found a carpenter, with a romantic streak, who wasn’t too drunk. That said, he definitely did it for money, not love. There’s some sort of old-fashioned technique, of putting them together – he tried to explain but I was just trying to get him in and out as quickly as possible.’
‘So, we just need to hope no one has any reason to check the CCTV outside,’ I say with a grin.
I feel like we might have actually got away with this one.
‘They have no reason to check it,’ he says. ‘It will probably get overwritten, eventually, but if not, well, I’m sure we’ll come up with something between us.’
I can’t help myself any longer. I lean in to kiss him, to seal the deal, but he subtly pulls away from me.
‘I think it’s probably safest we don’t do that here,’ he tells me with a smile. ‘You never know with us – there’s still time to ruin the wedding.’
‘Oh, okay,’ I say, trying to hide how devastated I am. Have I completely misread this?
‘Instead, how about you go upstairs, you change into the dress you want to wear, and then you meet me down on the beach,’ he suggests.
A smile spreads across my face.
‘Okay, sure,’ I say, trying to hide how giddy I am, but probably doing a terrible job.
I duck out, as instructed, heading up to our room where I step out of my sophisticated dress and into my trashy one – I mean, I think both are lovely, but you take my point. I check my make-up is perfect (or close, after a warm day), spritz myself with perfume, and then make my way back outside.
I pass the marquee, heading down the garden, and out on to the sand. I’ve no sooner taken my shoes off, to feel the sand between my toes, when I spot him.
The beach is quiet, between the buzz of the party and the roar of the sea. There’s just Ethan, standing there, next to a pop-up table for two. It’s covered with candles and there’s a white box in the centre.
‘What’s all this?’ I ask him.
He starts singing ‘Happy Birthday’ to me, as he lifts up the white box to reveal the most delicious-looking chocolate cake.
‘Happy birthday,’ he says. ‘Happy thirtieth birthday. I got you a cake.’
I place a hand over my mouth.
‘Did you think I was going to let it go by unacknowledged?’ he says.
‘Everyone else was,’ I reply. ‘Thank you so, so much. This is so sweet. I don’t think I could have asked for anything more perfect.’
I launch into his arms, giving him a big, grateful squeeze.
‘Thank you for this, for earlier, for coming – for everything,’ I babble at him.
‘Have you not realised by now that I would probably do anything for you?’ he says, pulling back just enough to look at me. I’m not letting him go though. ‘Look, I know you think we’re cursed, or that the universe is conspiring against us, but that’s just not true,’ he tells me. ‘And if you really believe it, well, I’m going to have to prove you wrong.’
I would love him to do that, but…
‘But we live in different cities,’ I remind him. ‘It won’t be easy.’
‘Unless the reason I was back in Leeds was because I was buying an apartment,’ he tells me. ‘Because I’m moving there, because I want to work more closely on the app, and turn it into something much bigger.’
My heart slams against my chest as I just stare at him. Is he really, really saying what I think he’s saying?
‘Of course, I’ll probably need a local tour guide,’ he adds, his tone playful. ‘Maybe a lodger, to begin with. Do you know anyone who might want to rent a room from me? No strings attached, of course. Just the usual ones, when someone rents a room – no deposit needed though.’
‘I just… are you…?’
‘I’m saying there’s a single bed with your name on it,’ he says with a laugh. ‘I know you’re in a tough spot, let me help you. Move out when you’re back on your feet, or don’t, but I want us to be together.’
‘We don’t have a good track record, when it comes to single beds,’ I point out, grinning from ear to ear.
‘That’s true,’ he replies. ‘Then I guess I’ll have to let you in my bed, occasionally, for safety – if you’re good.’
I’m practically laughing now, I’m smiling so widely. I just can’t believe it.
‘Is this my birthday present?’ I ask.
‘Yes,’ he replies. ‘Oh, actually, I have another. I almost forgot. We’re stopping off somewhere on the way home.’
‘Where?’ I ask.
‘Paris,’ he replies simply. ‘It’s all booked.’
Oh my God, he’s amazing.
‘Do you think it’s safe for me to kiss you now?’ I ask him. ‘No tidal waves, wildfires, shark attacks, or fireworks of any description?’
‘I’ll risk it if you will,’ he tells me, moving his face closer to mine.
Screw it.
Our lips meet and it’s like everything clicks into place, like a wave is washing over me but it’s warmth and relief and genuine, comfortable happiness. And – wait – can I actually hear fireworks? Am I imagining this because the moment is so perfect? No, okay, there are actual fireworks going off, probably from the wedding, but still, the moment really is perfect.
We kiss a little longer before pausing to watch the rest of the fireworks, Ethan’s arms still wrapped around me. The big colourful lights pop and crackle in the sky, reflecting so beautifully on the water below.
And… nothing bad happens, not yet at least. Perhaps our luck really is about to change but, if not, I know that with Ethan by my side we can figure anything out.