Page 43 of Four Weddings to Fall in Love
Daisy stumbles, but Isobel is quick to catch her.They share a quiet laugh, and I don’t know them well, but I believe in their relationship.I believe they will always be there to support each other; I believe in the vows they made earlier today.When Isobel murmurs something in Daisy’s ear, Daisy tips her head back and smiles, looking even more luminous than before.
A tear threatens to fall from my eye, and I discreetly wipe it away.
For the first time in years, I wish I had a special moment like this with my own partner.And to my dismay, the man in my imagination looks like Max.
Chapter 17
Max
Ineedair.
I hurry out of the banquet hall and lean against the building.I can’t believe that just happened.
When I saw the seating arrangements, I was, of course, not happy.Sitting at a table with my parents, the woman I have a bit of a crush on, as well as her parents…it isn’t my idea of fun.I was also acutely aware that it wasn’theridea of fun, so I tried to make sure it went as well for Kim as I could.I tried to show her that I was on her side, that we were a team, and…
Oh, I don’t fucking know.After trying to keep it together for the last few hours, I’m a mess.Sweat is dripping down the back of my neck, and I almost feel like vomiting, though perhaps that’s due to the sheer quantity of food I consumed more than anything else.
Evan comes outside and stands next to me.“You okay?”
That’s the question of the evening, the question that Kim and I kept asking each other.Even when we weren’t speaking, it felt like we were asking it with our looks.
She’s so gorgeous tonight.At one point, I nearly touched the inside of her knee without realizing what I was doing, but I pulled myself back just in time.
“I will be,” I say.
Jon comes out the door.“That looked rough.”
Yeah, it must have, if even Jon isn’t attempting to tease me.
Leo joins us, too.He leans back against the wall beside me and shoves his hands in his pockets.Whenever he wears a suit, he looks uncomfortable, and tonight is no exception.Now that dinner’s done, he’s loosened his tie.I suspect that Kim’s parents would not have been as happy with him as a potential partner for their daughter.The man with tattoos and no degree—yeah, that’s not what they want, even if he’s a good guy.
I wish Evan had been at the table instead of Leo.He would have been more help when it came to the conversation, not that I blame Leo for more or less staying silent.
“So, what’s happening between you and Kim?”Jon pulls off his jacket and slings it over his shoulder.“I wasn’t going to say anything—”
Leo snickers.
“—but after that dinner, I have to ask.Once again, if you need any pointers, feel free to let me know.”
“I’m not that desperate, thank you.”
Jon laughs.
Evan pats me on the shoulder.“So,doyou want to see her again?Without your families present?”
“I do,” I say, “but she’s not really the dating type.”
“That’s perfect,” Jon says.“You can have a little fun—hopefully more fun than last time—and she doesn’t expect any commitment…”
I glare at him.
“Right, right.You’re an old man.You want commitment.”
Why is he so annoying?
“I’m supposed to drive her home tonight,” I say.“I’ll ask her out.See what she says.”
Everything with Kim has been backward.It started with us sleeping together, and we haven’t even gone on a single real date and our parents have already met.I prefer when things proceed the way they’re supposed to.I prefer when I can mentally prepare for things like a three-hour dinner with a woman’s parents.
