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. Where have youbeen? she asks incredulously, flicking hereyes from me to Jesse and back again. You were supposed to cut the cake!Jesse opens a bottle of water and takes along swig, not in the least bit perturbed byTessa s concern. It s fine.Tessa shakes her head in disbelief and stomps off towards the entrance hall.Shemay as well leave.It looks like herservices are no longer required. Don t you want to cut the cake? I ask, mywrist being lifted as Jesse secures the lidon his water bottle. Kate went out of herway to make it on such short notice.He reaches forward and straightens mydiamond. Then let s not ruin it. he saysseriously. You re impossible. I sigh, glancingacross the bar, spotting Sam and Drewentertaining my dad, who s looking a littlerosy cheeked.My mum is revelling in theattention, undoubtedly offering tours of thegrounds, and Kate is looking drunk.Tom flaps a limp wrist at me, Victoria gives agirly wave before looking across the bartowards Drew and smoothing down herblonde locks, and poor Sal just looks likeshe s trying to fit in, although she s stillsparkling, but her new fellow isn t here.Ismile and turn my attention back to Jesse,just a Tessa storms back into the bar. Okay.I ve spoken to Elizabeth, Tessahuffs. We re cutting the cake and havingthe first dance shortly, so don t bedisappearing on me again. She storms off,and I smile.She s definitely regrettingtaking this job. You okay, baby? His warm palm slidesacross my cheek. Yes, fine. I answer, but I m not.I vefallen out with my brother, and that hasabsolutely never happened. You don t look fine.I said I wanted youto enjoy today.I inwardly laugh.Then he should let mehave a drink and he shouldn t havebroached the subject that has my brain themost twisted at the moment. I m fine. Isigh, taking a long sip of my water.Fucking water.Patrick and Irene approach, my cuddlybear of a boss brandishing a huge ivorygift bag, his wife adorned in a mass ofanimal print material.I think it might be adress.It s extremely distracting.I quickly direct my eyes to Jesse. Here s Patrick.You said Monday, remember? I need toget that in quickly.Jesse looks over his shoulder. Yes, Ava.Just till Monday, though. Flower! Patrick thrusts the gift bag atme, kisses my cheek, and then holds hishand out to Jesse. Mr Ward. he greets, afrown popping up onto his wrinkledforehead when he clocks the cuffs. Please, it s Jesse.Thank you for coming.Jesse takes Patrick s hand. Yes, Jesse. My boss drags his eyesaway from our wrists. This is Irene. Hesignals to his wife as she wobbles over with the biggest grin on her face.I smile tomyself.She s affected. Nice to meet you. she practicallygiggles. And you. Jesse hits her with his smile,reserved only for women, and shedisintegrates on the spot.He sunbelievable. Please, the bar staff willsee to you. Thank you! she gushes. This hotel isjust wonderful! Hello, Irene. I say on a smile.She dragsher greedy eyes away from my husbandand brings them onto me.She s afrightening woman, but not at the moment. She s too busy straightening her back andpulling in her stomach. How are you? Delightful! she sings in my face. Ava,you look stunning. Thank you. I blurt, completely surprised.She has never paid me a compliment, notever, and I didn t expect her to now.Shemostly just rabbits on about her social lifeand gossips about her fellow ladies ofleisure.Patrick grasps his wife s elbow andguides her away. We ll get a drink. Herolls his eyes, and I smile fondly at myboss.I know he finds his wifeexasperating. Interesting woman. Jesse muses, lookinga little alarmed at her leopard print body,wobbling away from us.I laugh. She makes Patrick s lifemiserable. I can imagine. Here s John. I say, glancing past Jesse.The big guy is strolling over, wraparoundsin place, and with his usual menacingexpression plastered all over his face.Hisstare is pointed at the cuffs before hegives me the nod.I nod back. A word, Jesse. he rumbles.He s tooserious.I don t like it, and Jesse s quickflick of his eyes to me doesn t make me feel any better.Jesse reaches into his pocket and pulls outthe key to the handcuffs, and I watch as hebrings it to my wrist. What are youdoing? I ask, yanking my arm away. John wants a quick word. His teeth areclenched. Oh no, I laugh. You don t get to releaseme when it suits you.No way, Ward. Ilook at John, who s still expressionless. Ava, I ll be back shortly. He pulls mywrist back to him. No! Where are you going? I look atJohn. Where is he going? S all good, girl. No.It s not all fucking good! I yell a bittoo loudly, earning myself a frighteningscowl from Jesse.I don t care.He doesn tget to do this.He doesn t get to brush meoff when it suits him.It s my wedding day. Watch your mouth! he grates, leaninginto me. I ll be a few minutes.You ll stayfucking put, Ava.I recoil at his animosity, completelystunned as he makes quick work of thehandcuffs before striding out with John.I m perched on a barstool, the bride in astunning gown, adorned with diamonds,all of our guests laughing, chatting anddrinking, and I want to go home
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