Page 54 of One Night Only
“We just don’t like showing weakness. She looks happy.”
I follow his eyes to where Annie dances in the center of the room, still glowing. “The happiest.”
“I didn’t think she’d make it this long.”
“You married well.”
“I did, didn’t I?” His eyes flick to mine, mischievous and bright. I’ve never seen him like this before. So utterly ecstatic. Something pulls at my heart just thinking about it. I doubt I’ll ever feel that way again. Not after Josh. I doubt I’ll have anything as close as what these two have.
“Connor’s still hoping for the ride,” Paul adds, ruining the moment.
“Hoping for the ride,” I repeat slowly. “I know you guys are meant to have a way with words and poetry but…”
Paul laughs.
“I think I’ll pass this time,” I say ruefully. “I’ve had enough of the Murphy family.”
He grimaces and I pat his knee to show him I don’t mind.
“Where is the best man anyway?” I haven’t seen Declan since dinner and spent most of the evening expecting him to show up, catching me off guard like he always does.
“He had to catch a flight,” Paul says. “Straight after the speeches. Back to work.”
“Oh.” The noise comes out several octaves too high, but Paul doesn’t seem to notice. I’m grateful it’s him and not Annie who told me. She would have seen right through me.
“That’s a shame,” I say. “Back to New York?”
He nods as the music changes to another up-tempo song. This one everyone seems to know as a small cheer goes up. “Can I tempt you?” he asks.
“No, please. Leave me to my blisters.”
“You’re doing well,” he says. “Though I wouldn’t expect anything less. Thanks for being Annie’s best friend.”
“Thanks for being the love of her life.”
He kisses me on the cheek and then he’s off, disappearing into the crowd to find his wife.
I stay where I am, nibbling on chips I can no longer taste.
I can’t believe Declan left without saying goodbye.
You wanted him gone,a little voice inside me says.
It’s true butIwanted to be the one to say goodbye tohim.
It’s childish I know. But I want to be the one with the last word.
I watch people swing each other around the room. Kids dart between tables, squealing at each other over handfuls of food and sugary drinks while others sleep in the laps of their parents, oblivious to the chaos around them.
I don’t think I even have the energy to make it back upstairs, but Connor comes toward me with a kind look and hauls me to my feet.
“You can’t stop now,” he chides, pulling me after him, and I laugh as I go, stumbling in my dress.
I give over to the music as a cheesy pop song starts and push any thought of Declan aside.
In a few hours, I will get on a plane back to New York.
And everything will go back to normal.
