Page 62 of Where She Is
“Thank you,” I whisper and without knowing it, my resigned sigh gives away my thoughts. “What is it?” His brow wrinkles slightly while his eyes search mine.
“I was just thinking how perfect tonight is and then… it’s nothing.”
“Don’t tell me. Freya?”
Somehow, he read my mind. He sighs and takes both my hands in his. “Listen, I understand how this whole situation is uncomfortable but we have to try to ignore her.”
I nod, “I get that, but it’s difficult.”
“Believe me, I’m the first in line to agree with you. Jesus, after everything she’s done to my family, what I feel for Freya now is nothing short of hate. The fact she is married to my brother makes this awkward situation worse. I understand being here is hard for you and it’s not a bed of roses for me either, but I want to do this for my parents and I know you can do this for us.”
It was a slight moment of weakness on my part and I promised I would be strong. “You’re right.”
His hands tighten around mine. “Love is stronger than you can ever imagine, Han. It can get you through almost anything—even the unexpected.”
Diana and Peter are already in the lounge as we enter. Both are stunning in their formal dress and Diana’s beautiful, full-length turquoise ball gown matches her eyes. Her hair is styled in a neat French pleat, finished with a diamond comb. Sparks of light bounce from her diamond stud earrings that match her necklace and she is radiant next to Peter in his black tuxedo. Not long after, we’re joined by Joe. He has a face like a smacked arse, which doesn’t bode well.
“Freya not with you darling?” Diana looks past Joe, thenback to her son for an explanation. I silently pray she’s not coming.
“She sends her apologies, but she won’t make it. She has a headache.” Diana hugs her eldest son before pulling away to look at his face. His silent plea not to ask anything further is met with a sympathetic smile from his mother.
I try not to show my relief, although it’s hard not to notice Daniel’s posture when he visibly relaxes next to me. I’m not sure if this is a regular occurrence. Peter doesn’t seem surprised at all. “You two had another row?”
“It’s more than that, Dad.”
From what I’ve seen so far, Joe’s cool head can usually handle Freya with dignity. Not today. Today he looks lost and ready to fall apart. I have no idea how any man could deal so well with a wife that’s in love with someone else—let alone the other man being his brother. It’s a twisted situation. Joe seems defeated, as if he is about to throw in the towel. Daniel can obviously sense his brother's turmoil as he walks over and slaps his shoulder. They don’t talk. Their eyes say everything. Their bond is incredible and pretty amazing under the circumstances. Peter joins his sons, bringing them both in for a supportive hug.
“If you can’t face it tonight, Joe—”
He shakes his head, “No point in wasting a good suit and I could do with a drink.”
Peter nods and smiles, but it’s not a happy one. Diana walks over to Joe and straightens his bow tie. Her quiet tone fills the thick air around us. “Don’t let her get to you.”
I glance in another direction, not knowing where to focus. I feel I’m intruding on this very private family moment of support.
Daniel offers me his hand, which I don’t hesitate to accept. We walk out to the cars in a much more subdued mood than earlier. Freya has managed to put a dampener on our evening without even making an appearance.
Chapter Twenty-One
Daniel’s gripon my hand tightens when we enter the ballroom. We’re greeted with champagne cocktails which are quickly consumed by all five of us. In our haste to get here and away from Joe’s marital problems, I’d forgotten how stressed Daniel felt and how much strength it must have taken him to reach this point. He’s on edge and constantly scans the room. In stark contrast, his relaxed and happy parents chat and laugh with friends, although I note Diana has at least one eye on her son at all times. Joe and I head to the bar and drag Daniel behind us. We need a proper drink; Daniel is not really a champagne man. He’s gunning for a whisky and as I try to stop fidgeting and biting my lip, I think I might join him just to take the edge off. The tension between the three of us is tangible. Joe has so many pent-up feelings towards his failing marriage and his need to apologise for his wife’s behaviour is clear. All Daniel wants to do is take his brother’s problems away and continuously slaps him on the back or grips his shoulder in silent support. And then there’s me. Right in the middle of not knowing which one of them to distract for the best.
The surrounding air suddenly turns cold with the arrival of aleggy, busty blonde. Daniel’s body stiffens as he pulls me closer to his side.
“As I live and breathe, if it isn’t Daniel Grant. Very long time no see.”
He squeezes my waist, willing my support, and when he addresses her, it’s with as much contempt as I imagine she deserves. “Candy. How are you?”
Candy? What kind of name is that? It suits her, though. She has a sickly sweet smile.
She emphasises the word “Good,” but I get the impression she’s far from it. Then her attentions turn to Joe, “It’s good to see you, too,” she nods.
“I wish I could say the same,” he mumbles under his breath while a look of pure disdain forms across his face. He turns his back to her, although Candy isn’t put off by his body language. She doesn’t get the hint. The boys are not happy to see her. Her lips pout when it’s obvious they will not offer her an introduction to me, so she takes the reins and holds out hand.
“Candy Wright. And you are?”
I open my mouth to speak, but it’s not my voice I hear.
“This is my girlfriend, Hannah May,” he says before I’ve drawn breath. This is the first time he’s referred to me as his girlfriend, and I can’t deny I’m thrilled. Not only does my stomach flip, but I swear my heart misses a beat at the same time. It takes everything I have not to break out into a full-scale, comedic beam. I squeeze my hand tightly around his hip. Despite my moment of utter joy, we still have Miss sickly sweet to contend with.
