Page 90 of Storm in a Teacup
“No, I can still see him,” I respond flatly.
He rolls his eyes obnoxiously. “Funny.”
I mutter, “You used to think so.” I sip my water, glancing back at Kensie and Jen, who look equally as annoyed by Atti’s presence. “He’s not here yet. Where’s Bridget?”
He shifts uncomfortably. “We broke up.”
If I had a few drinks in me, all the horrible things I want to say in this moment would slip out. But I am completely sober, so all I say is, “Ah.”
An arm slides around my waist, but this touch does not surprise me. I melt into it, so familiar and comfortable. Ben.
“Hi,” he says in my ear.
“Hi,” I say back through a grin.
I glance back at Atti, who has taken a step away and looks down at us uncomfortably. Without another word, he gives a stiff jerk of his head and wanders off to prey on someone else for the evening.
“You’re late,” I scold Ben.
He frowns. “I know. I’m sorry—time got away from me. I was searching for this tie. An embarrassing amount of my things are still in boxes. But look.” He holds it to my dress. “It matchesperfectly.”
I bump him lightly with my hip. “This isn’t prom.”
“You guys are so cute,” Kensie interjects. “Jen and I love to match. We’re matching tonight.”
Indeed, they are. The light pink flowers on Kensie’s dress match the color of Jen’s jumpsuit. They’re also wearing the same shoes in different colors. That is cute.
I nudge Ben to the side so I can talk to him privately for a second. “I got you something.”
He lights up. “You did?”
From my pocket, I pull out a pin I spotted in a shop the other day, about the size of my thumbnail. It’s a tri-colored cat. Pink, purple, and blue. He takes it from my hand and holds it up to his eye.
“A bisexual cat?”
My face heats. “Yeah. Sorry. It’s silly. I saw it and thought of you. Not that you being bi is like the only part of you I can see. You don’t have to keep—”
He cuts me off by pulling me into his arms. I let out a surprised, “Oof,” but wrap my arms around him as well, my head pressed to his chest. “You’re hugging me,” I observe.
“I am hugging you,” he confirms, dipping his head down to nuzzle closer to my neck. “Thank you. I love it.”
“It was five pounds.”
“I love it,” he repeats. He releases me and immediately pins the cat to the collar of his shirt.
We make our way over to an assigned table with Kensie and Jen. Paul and Amber are sitting there as well. Ben and Paul say an excited hello to one another, causing guilt to rattle through me for being the reason they can’t give it a try. I remind myself that Ben is perfectly able to pursue him after the wedding. And whata great story that would be of how they met.
Dinner is soon served. Once we finish eating, the speeches start. One from the father of the groom, and one from Mel, which is unconventional, but she loves a bit of that.
“Thank you all for being here to help us celebrate our special day, which starts infourhours!”
After the speeches are done, we are left to mingle. Ben and I get up from the table, making the rounds together. He leaves me to go grab us a drink, returning rather swiftly with a cocktail in each hand.
I take a sip and cough. “Whoa. How much vodka did they add to this?” I hold the glass in front of my face to get a better look. It’s pink. Vodka cranberry should be red, typically. I laugh. “I’m going to see if the bartender will add more cranberry juice to this.”
“I can do it if you want,” Ben offers.
“Nah, I got it.” I squeeze him on the arm before navigating my way to the bar. I ask the bartender for a bit more cranberry juice, and we joke together about his heavy pour.
