I set my empty drink on the table; two sips in and the entirety of the thing had sloshed out as we had run up the beach together. I pulled the chair out for her and she bit her lip and looked at me.
I motioned to an empty table nearby, “Or we could just stare silently at each other while we each eat alone.” I said with a smirk.
She looked at me, and I couldn’t quite read the look on her face as her eyes studied me for a long moment.
“It’s better than being all alone on your honeymoon.” I stated. “And I don’t bite… unless you want me to.” I gave her a wink.
She sucked a breath in and looked up at me wide eyed.
“It’s just dinner.”
“Okay.” She said, sitting down hesitantly.
“Okay.” I responded as I scooted her in.
I sat across from her in the candlelight and admired her. Even with her face once again slightly tear streaked, she was radiant and magnetic. She was wearing a breezy floral dress that showed off her toned shoulders, and it suited her. I wanted to know everything there was to know about Addison, and I was especially curious to hear about what the jackass half husband did that specifically led to her fleeing moments after saying ‘I do’.
We ordered fresh drinks and waited for our food to be served.
“Was it as cathartic as you’d hoped?” I asked with a smirk.
“Why yes it was. Thank you for asking.” She said sarcastically back.
“I’m surprised you fit that thing in your bag.” I chuckled.
“Well… you saw how big my bag was.” She smiled, and lightning shot through me at her happiness and the warmth of her smile.
“Yes, and I also saw how many ‘extras’you packed.” I plucked the souvenir I had grabbed from the airport floor earlier out of my pocket and plopped it on the table.
“You took one of my condoms?” She hissed, as she looked around to see if anyone saw. “Give me that.” She quickly tucked it under her napkin, hiding it.
I chuckled, “Well, I’m sorry your honeymoon isn’t going to be what you planned. Though I have to say I’m delighted that I get the benefit of your company over this asshole, Jack.”
Her face was mixed with emotion. “You want to know what happened?”
“If you want to tell me.” I nodded, leaning back in my chair. “It’s not every day a woman rips through a hotel lobby like a tornado in a wedding dress.”
She fake gasped, “I did not.” She giggled, covering her mouth.
“You did indeed, my love.” I took a sip of my drink and eyed her over the rim of my glass.
She blushed and took a deep breath. “Well… the short of it is that I found Jack sleeping with one of my bridesmaids.”
“What a piece of shit.” I clicked my tongue and shook my head.
“In my car.” She continued, her eyes rolling. “Like really? You couldn’t find a more discreet place to fuck each other on my wedding day.” She shook her head angrily.
“It’s so unoriginal. And he slept with herafterwe said our vows. It’s like it was all some cruel inside joke.” Her eyes welled up, and she swallowed hard.
“You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.” I took her hand across the table, softly rubbing my thumb over her knuckles, willing some sort of comfort to be emitted into her and enjoying the opportunity to touch her once more.
She wiped her face with her free hand and smiled gratefully. “No, I do. It’s definitely easier to tell a stranger. I still haven’t had the guts to talk to anyone back home. I’m not ready just yet. But, it is nice to finally tell someone. Thank you.”
“Well, I may be a stranger, but I can certainly tell you this. No one deserves that, especially not you, Addison. Getting cheated on is a pretty shit card to be dealt.” I squeezed her hand.
“You’re telling me!” She laughed, taking both hands and wiping more tears off her face. “You sound like you know what it feels like.”
“Something like that.” I realized I had let on too much and tried to divert the conversation.