Page 74 of Before You Say I Do
Delta poured them another glass of fizz, then settled on the golden sofa at the end of the bed. With Taran in the room, Abby had given Delta pointed looks that told her no discussion of Jordan. Delta had given her a tacit nod of agreement.
Instead, she’d applied spot cream to Abby’s face — another delightful side effect of being so stressed was Abby had broken out in zits on her chin. After that, Delta had filled Abby and Taran in on how things were going with Nikita. The answer: well. In a week, they’d even progressed to talking about being a proper couple. This was a big thing for Delta. It had certainly snapped her out of her doldrums for being dumped.
“Because we just click, you know? I know I was upset about Nora and I put her first. Sorry about that. But just one week with Nikita has made me see my whole six months with Nora was nothing. Isn’t it strange how you can be with someone for a long time, put so much time and energy into them, and then wonder what you’ve been doing?” Delta gave her a sharp look.
Abby closed her eyes.
“Nikita’s come fully into my life and it’s like the clouds have cleared.”
Delta’s words struck home. Was that what Abby had been doing with Marcus? Going along and pretending? Even just having a conversation with Jordan, or touching her hand made Abby light up more than Marcus had ever managed. A warmth swept through her as she remembered kissing Jordan in the kitchen. Yes, she’d made an impression. When she’d run off after the rehearsal dinner, Abby had wanted to follow her, but she’d been rooted to the spot.
Taran’s phone went off. She looked at it with a smile. “That’s Ryan.” She got up. “Be right back.”
“Sure you will,” Delta shouted as she left the room. When the door shut, she turned to Abby. “Now it’s just the two of us, I believe we have some things to discuss.” Delta raised an eyebrow. “Did anything I just said ring true? Because I don’t know what the fuck’s going on Abby, but you need to face it.”
Abby drew in a long breath, nodding. “I know.”
“Has something happened with Marcus to cause this?”
Abby shook her head. “No, he doesn’t suspect anything. At least I hope he doesn’t. He thinks everything’s fine. Normal.”
“It doesn’t look that way from where I’m standing.” Delta paused. “Are you going to tell me exactly what happened? I mean, I caught you in a lip-lock last night, but that’s all I know.”
There was no easy way to say this, so Abby was just going to come out with it. “I kissed Jordan in Cannes. Then I had sex with her. And now I’m ignoring her because I have no idea what to do.”
Delta stopped mid-sip of her bubbles. She stared at Abby like she’d gone mad. “What?” She frowned. “You shagged Jordan? When the hell did you shag Jordan?”
Abby dipped her head. “On the plane.”
“On the plane!?” Delta’s voice had gone up a few octaves.
Abby put down her drink, and flapped a hand in front of her. “Keep it down. I don’t want everyone to know about it.”
“I can imagine you don’t.” Delta shook her head. “And there was me thinking I was the only one who got lucky that weekend.” Then she frowned. “But this isn’t good news, right?”
Abby let her head flop back. “Not when I’m about to get married, no.”
“But you and Jordan.” Abby didn’t think Delta could have sounded more perplexed. “This is the real reason she’s too busy to be here tonight?”
Abby nodded. “I texted her and told her to just come tomorrow.”
Delta’s raised eyebrow told Abby what she thought of that plan. “But how? I mean, I know you slept with a woman at uni, but you’ve been very much into men since then.”
She had. Until Jordan. “It just happened. I mean, we chatted a lot over the weekend. I like her. And then somehow, we kissed. And then the plane.”
“I can’t believe you joined the mile-high club. How did you manage that with nobody knowing?”
“Everyone was knackered on the way back. But now, I’m knackered. I’m not sleeping. I just got given a massive project at work. I’m getting married tomorrow and I should be deliriously happy about it. And all I can think about is my fake bridesmaid who I’m avoiding. How did my life get so messy?”
“Honestly, I have no idea.” Delta sat back, shaking her head. “What does this mean, though? I thought you loved Marcus?” She prodded her chest with her thumb. “I love Marcus.Everyoneloves Marcus.”
Abby didn’t need that spelt out. “I know everyone loves bloody Marcus. Because Marcus is bloody lovely. Believe me, Ididlove Marcus.” Dread slid down her. No, that wasn’t right. “Idolove Marcus.” She raised her shoulders up, then down. “I don’t know what I think anymore.”
Delta leaned forward. “You’re getting married, Abs. If you’ve got doubts, you need to say so.” She paused. “Are you gay now? Bi?”
“I don’t know. I like Jordan. But I love Marcus.”
Delta stared at her. “Do you like Jordan or love her?”
