Page 98 of Love Lessons
“Will do.”
* * *
At long last,they call us inside for dinner, and the crowd begins to slowly funnel through a set of double doors and into a vast dining room overlooking the water.
“How do we find table number sixteen?” my father grumbles. “I’m too weak from hunger to look.”
“Follow me,” my mother says calmly “I’ll save you.”
Table sixteen is against the windows overlooking the marina. I pull out my mother’s chair.
“Now isn’t this nice?” my mom says, taking her seat.
“So nice,” I deadpan. “But is it just me, or is there no food on this table?”
“Patience,” my mother says. “They need to announce the bride and groom first.”
“Announce them? Didn’t we all just watch them get married?” God, I hate pageantry.
My mother just shakes her head.
We’re joined by a couple of my cousins and their spouses, and my father strikes up a conversation about Connecticut politics.
I’ve always been the odd duck at family gatherings. I don’t care about politics or business. And besides my father, none of the other Crikeys ever cared for hockey.
“Oh dear, there’s an extra place setting,” my mother says under her breath. “You really should have told them your date wasn’t coming. I’ll have them take it away.” She raises her hand.
“No,” my father and I both say at once, our eyes meeting in silent understanding. What sane man would send extra food away from this table?
“Caterers charge by the head,” my mother says quietly. “Saving face is costing the bride and groom money.”
I glance toward my ex’s father at the head table and realize I don’t care that much.
My pocket buzzes, and I pull out my phone to see a text from Drake.The driver is pulling up now. Enjoy.
“Excuse me for a quick second,” I say to the table as I slide out of my chair and head for the exit. I hurry through a lobby that’s decorated with ropes and other boating paraphernalia.
Outside, I see a stretch limo pulling slowly into the curved drive. Hell, it’s tempting to flag down Drake’s chauffeur and beg the man for a ride back to New York. I’ve done my duty here. I’d watched my ex pledge her undying love to a man who could not be less like me.
It hadn’t even been that difficult, if I’m honest. Closure is real. The wedding was more boring than painful.
The only awkward part was the receiving line, where my ex and I had a brief moment of discomfort while we both tried to decide what was an appropriate greeting for one another. I went for the quick cheek kiss, and she went for the stiff pat on my shoulder.
Whatever. The whole experience makes me feel like one of those barnacle-covered boats in the marina. Sturdier than I imagined and more seaworthy than I knew.
The limo driver gets out and hurries around the front of the vehicle. I lift my hand in a wave, so he’ll know I’m the guy he’s looking for.
But he doesn’t approach me. Instead, he opens the rear door and reaches inside to offer a hand to…
The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Vera steps out of the limo and straightens up, wearing a stunning red dress and a slightly sheepish smile.
The sight of her lifts a weight off my chest that I didn’t even know I was carrying. My reaction is to bend over and brace my hands on my thighs, laughing like a kid at his own surprise party. “Holy hell, contessa. I’ve never been so excited to see anyone in my life.”
“Really?” The uncertainty leaves her smile. “I’m sorry. This…” She waves toward the car. “Was all a little crazy. I was halfway here when I made Neil text you to make sure you hadn’t brought another date.”
As if there was anyone else I’d want by my side. There isn’t, and I’ll be sure to tell her that later. First, I cross to her and put my hands on her smooth shoulders. Touching her again is sweet relief. “Wait, contessa. Are you trying to tell me Neil didn’t send me a flask of single malt?”
She frowns. “No, that was a ruse…”
