Chapter 25
As I glance out of the car window on the way home at the dark night stretching in front of us, I feel deflated.
Rory could have opened up to me, but instead he’d stomped around making a fuss about every little thing.
Every interaction had been laced with tension when we’d first met.
Now I know why, and it didn’t have to be like that.
As he pulls up and stops outside the bookshop, I turn around to face him. ‘The trip to my granny’s house was special. Thank you for organizing it.’
‘I’m sorry the evening didn’t continue that way. I was embarrassed that you didn’t recognize me. I felt like I was that awkward teenager all over again.’
I sigh. ‘I just can’t get my head around it.’
He nods. ‘Look, you’ll have a few days to clear your head while I’m away at the wedding. We can talk about it when I get back. Maybe we’ll feel better then.’
I frown. ‘The wedding? What do you mean?’
‘The wedding,’ he repeats, without skipping a beat. ‘Remember, I told you?’
He hasn’t told me. I’ve been on high alert for any wedding discussion since Elle dropped the bomb at the breakup bookshop. I can assure Rory that he hasn’t mentioned any wedding.
‘No, you didn’t,’ I frown. ‘Who’s looking after the shop?’
It’s not the question I want to ask, but my head is completely scrambled.
‘Pete. Someone from the post office is helping with his shifts for a few days.’
‘You’re going for a few days?’ I repeat.
Stop sounding so shrill, Ava. Calm down.
‘Sorry, Ava, I thought I’d told you. An old friend is getting married in some fancy hotel in Inverness.
I’m a groomsman so I need to drive up first thing tomorrow to help my mate with a few things at the hotel before the rehearsal.
I would have asked for a plus one, but we’re so new together and I didn’t want to put that pressure on you. ’
He didn’t want to put pressure on me? A million questions run through my mind. I can’t tell Rory about Elle’s confession. What happens at the breakup bookshop stays at the breakup bookshop, after all. Chatham House rules.
My stomach churns at the thought of them together. Rory’s so casual about it all. I want to demand to see a full itinerary, broken down by the hour, but I need to keep my cool.
‘Who else is going?’ I ask. ‘Finlay?’
I’m trying to appear nonchalant, but I want details. Does he know Elle will be there?
He shakes his head. ‘Finlay couldn’t make it. And he’s looking after Piper for me. I was sure I’d mentioned that too. God, where has my head been? Elle will be there. She’s a bridesmaid, I’m sure.’
A-ha.
Yes, she is going to be there. And she’s going to confess that she still has feelings for you.
My heart drops into my stomach.
I can’t think straight.
I want him to know how disappointed I am that he lied to me or withheld this from me, whatever he wants to call it. I want to pour out my heart to him, beg him not to go, warn him that Elle is going to make a move on him and plead with him to say no.
But what good will it do? Not much, not really. Maybe he’s right. Maybe a few days away will be good for us. Maybe he’ll realize it’s Elle that he’s wanted all along. At least then I’ll know and have none of the uncertainty.
I guess now I have to be prepared for that. It’s not like I can grab his ankle and beg him not to leave.
‘Okay,’ I say evenly, even though there are so many other words flying around my mind. ‘Well, have a great time then. I’ll see you when you get back.’
I open the door and leap out, trying to stifle the tears in my eyes.
‘Ava!’ he calls from the car. I turn around. His arm is draped over the side of the car, the window wide open. His eyes shine earnestly in the moonlight as he says, ‘Look, we’ll talk about it when I’m back, okay? All of it.’
I pull out the keys from my bag and nod, unable to meet his eye as the window closes. He speeds off into the night.