Chapter 30
30
‘What are you doing on your laptop without wi-fi, playing pinball?’ Owen asks.
‘When was the last time you used a computer?’ I joke.
‘They don’t have pinball any more?’ he replies. ‘Anyway, I’m glad you’re keeping busy with something. You can keep your secrets.’
I will absolutely be keeping it a secret, that Travis gave me the wi-fi password, lest I risk losing it.
Owen sits down next to me. I’m underneath a pergola, where there’s shade, so that I can see my laptop screen.
It’s a little quieter over here, a few extra steps from everyone. It’s almost like having privacy – but not quite.
‘I thought you might like a bottle of water,’ he says, handing me one. ‘If only because you look absolutely fire in your bikini.’
‘You’re too kind,’ I say with a laugh, taking the bottle from him.
Oh my God. It’s cold. Ice cold. I wonder if he’s going out of his way to break the rules and do something nice for me, or if he’s not even thought about it, he’s just grabbed a bottle from the fridge and brought it here.
I try not to reveal my sheer joy at how cold it is, lest he realise his mistake and take it back from me.
Oh boy, that’s good. I feel like my eyes are rolling into the back of my head. It’s a mad time when a bottle of cold water gets you this lit.
‘How’s your wedding stuff going?’ he asks. ‘Everything going to plan?’
‘Yeah, I think so,’ I reply. ‘The only spanner was this booking going tits up, but we’ve figured it out, right?’
‘Right,’ he replies with a grin. ‘I didn’t realise how much pressure it would be, planning a wedding, trying to stop things from going wrong.’
‘You’re the best man?’ I check.
‘Yep,’ he replies.
‘Chief bridesmaid,’ I tell him, with a silly little wave. ‘I know what you mean about the pressure, of trying to keep the show on the road, keep the bride calm. I just want Lou to have a great day and I’ll worry about me later.’
‘Are you worried about you?’ he asks curiously. ‘Tell me to piss off, if you want…’
‘Oh, I’m just being silly,’ I tell him. ‘There’s just something… kind of sad, about being the single friend left behind. And no offence, but all of this, it was just so unexpected, which means I’ve had the extra job of wrangling my lot,’ I can’t resist telling him.
‘So what you’re saying is that you and me are the glue holding all of this together,’ he jokes.
‘Yes, that’s exactly what I’m saying,’ I say sarcastically.
Owen leans forward, taking my hand in his. His tenderness takes me aback.
‘It’s not easy, being the lone wolf, standing on the sidelines,’ he says. ‘But we’ll all meet someone, someday. There’s a right person out there for all of us. This is Lou’s time to shine, to get her happy ending. Yours will come along. Don’t forget that, okay?’
‘Wow, are you always this good at pep talks?’ I can’t help but ask.
He glances at me, his expression softening for a moment.
‘I’ve noticed you use humour, to deal with situations,’ he points out. ‘You don’t always have to do that, you know.’
‘I mean, I do at least until this wedding has been and gone, and everything is okay,’ I say.
‘Okay but just know that being single when your friend is getting married isn’t the death sentence you think it is,’ he says. ‘It’s an adventure. It’s all about perspective. You’re not tied down. You’re not compromising or settling. You’re free to figure out what you actually want. That’s a pretty enviable position to be in, if you ask me. Some people really miss being single.’
‘Don’t let your friend who is tying the knot hear you say that,’ I point out – joking, as per. He’s right though, I shouldn’t always do that. ‘But thanks for the perspective. You’re right, I’m focusing on all the wrong things.’
‘Maybe you are,’ he says. ‘And maybe, if you stop worrying about being single, stop trying to find the right person, and just let the right person come to you, he might show up when you least expect it – even here.’
‘It’s hard to imagine my dream guy popping up anywhere,’ I reply. ‘Love doesn’t feel like it should come so easily.’
‘Well, then maybe aim lower,’ he replies.
I pull a face because is that ever a good idea?
‘I don’t mean lower your standards,’ he insists. ‘But if you’re always expecting the fireworks, and they don’t come, you’re going to be disappointed.’
‘I bet you say that to all the girls,’ I quip.
‘And there’s one of those jokes again,’ he points out with a knowing smile.
‘Water and words of wisdom,’ I say. ‘I really have hit the jackpot today.’
‘I’m just that kind of guy,’ he jokes. ‘But, shh, don’t tell anyone we had this chat – it’ll ruin my reputation.’
I laugh.
‘Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it,’ I promise.
‘If you ever want to chat, about anything, know that I’m here, and I’m a really good listener,’ he reassures me.
‘I’ll keep that in mind,’ I tell him. ‘And, hey, you too. I’m always happy to chat.’
‘I’m going to hold you to that,’ he tells me. ‘Anyway, I’ll leave you to whatever you’re doing on there.’
‘Thanks,’ I reply. ‘For everything.’
‘Ah, it’s nothing,’ he replies.
Now that their bravado is fading, and we’re all starting to get on a little better, it’s starting to seem like these boys aren’t so bad after all.
Who knew?