Page 49 of The Life Daisy Devlin Designed
“I’d say everyone will.” A corner of his mouth lifted in a smile. “Nobody’s had any of the cake.”
Daisy giggled, aware that she was slightly tipsy. “It’s chocolate biscuit cake, so I’ve decided to ignore the spit.”
“Yeah.”
James seemed a bit distracted, Daisy thought. As if he was looking for someone.
“Did you invite your parents tonight?” she asked.
“No, I didn’t think it’d be their kind of thing.” He frowned. “Why?”
“Uh, no reason.” What was she supposed to say? That he should have invited them even if he thought they wouldn’t come? That it was a bit weird not to invite them?
“Listen, I feel bad about this, but I have to go back to the house for an hour.” James pushed a hand back through his hair. “One of our American clients is having a problem, but I won’t be long, I promise.”
Daisy stared at him. “You’releaving?”
He seemed to tense. “Daisy, it’s just for an hour. Alma’s a bit wrecked too, so I’m taking her home. She’s probably not over that strep.”
“So she’s going home with you?” Daisy was starting to feel a bit lightheaded. Maybe she’d get something to eat before she had another margarita.
“We’re sharing a taxi, yes,” James said patiently. “I’ll see you soon, okay? Go have fun.” Giving her a quick kiss, he turned and walked towards the door, where Alma was standing, waiting. She gave Daisy a cutesy wave.
As Daisy forced herself to wave back, she wondered if anyone else had noticed her boyfriend had just left her birthday party with their Swedish lodger. There was a joke in there somewhere, she thought. She just needed to find it.
She eyed up the bar. To hell with James. And Alma. This was her party and she was bloody well going to enjoy it!
“It’s Britney! Come on, Daisy, dance with me.” Fionn took Daisy by the hands and pulled her back onto the dance floor.
Daisy burst into fresh giggles. “Oh! My! God!Is there any song that youdon’tlike, Fionn?”
“I love all this retro stuff,” Fionn shouted over the music. “And the DJ is pretty hot too!”
Daisy danced, her arms above her head, as she found herself scanning the room, pretending to herself that she wasn’t searching for Matt. A few of her older relations had left, but there were still plenty of people drinking and dancing.
Her gaze trailed slowly back across the room, her stomach clenching hard when she spotted Matt near the bar. He seemed to be deep in conversation with Brian.
As she watched them, she had a sudden, clear memory of her joint twenty-first with Laura. They’d been in final year when Laura had suggested the party.
“I know the manager of Trojan Dock on the quays,” she’d said. “We can hire out the whole place, and invite everyone we know. It’ll be awesome!”
Daisy, Laura and their friends had all loved it, as had Miriam and Eric. Daisy hadn’t been so sure about Laura’s parents. They’d arrived separately, and didn’t dance together all night. Daisy remembered one of the guys making a pass at Laura’s mother, before throwing up all over her shoes.
As if he could feel her gaze, Matt looked over and, as his eyes locked with hers, he raised a glass in her direction.Daisy gave a small, self-conscious wave in return. After a few moments she saw him cross the room and sit down at a table near the edge of the dance floor. She motioned to Fionn that she was taking a break, then went over and slipped into the spare chair beside Matt.
Matt smirked at her. “Why did you sit down? I came over here to look at you dancing.”
“What?” She felt her face heat.
“Yeah, I mean, Brian’s great, but I thought I could do with some comic relief.” His face was poker-like, until Daisy shoved him hard, and he burst out laughing. “To be honest, I don’t know anyone else here, except you and Brian.”
“You know Laura.”
“I don’t think Laura is thrilled to see me.”
He had to know why!
“I was talking to my mum earlier.” She shot him a look. “She remembered you.”
