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She gives me a grateful look. “That would be great, thank you.”
I lead her toward the minivans, hold her hand as she climbs the stairs, and sit next to her. I’m not the smallest of men, and I apologize for taking up more than my share of room.
“No worries at all,” she says, her eyes meeting mine, a tad flirtatiously before she looks out of the window. I don’t think it’s what Alex had in mind when he asked me to look after her!
The vans take us to Old St. Paul’s church, which is a beautiful building, built in a Gothic revival style, with large, colorful stained-glass windows and native timber columns. Alex told me that although it’s consecrated, it’s non-denominational, which means that any type of wedding can be held here, whether it’s religious, civil, or LGBTQIA+. Damon and Belle are having a traditional Anglican ceremony, though.
When we arrive, Alex explains that Mik, the wedding organizer, wants to chat to the groomsmen, so I take Kait inside. She kisses me on the cheek, then sits in a pew beside Elizabeth Huxley. I wink at Elizabeth, who winks back and starts talking to Kait. Then I straighten and see Juliette in the pew behind. My heart skips a beat like a schoolboy faced with his crush. She’s wearing a light-gray pantsuit with a white shirt—an unusual outfit for her, but she looks amazing. Her hair is up, and a silver bindi graces her brow.
She glances at Kait, then back at me and raises an eyebrow. Oh… she saw her kiss me, and she’s jealous. I try not to laugh as I head outside, ready for Mik’s brief chat.
As well as the groomsmen being there in the morning when Damon and Alex are getting ready, he gives us some ideas of how we can help on the big day: handing out the order of service sheets, greeting guests and showing them to their seats, and generally answering queries and running any errands the groom or best man might need.
After that, he matches us up with the bridesmaids—Tyson with Gaby, Saxon with his wife, Catie, Kip with his wife, Alice, James with Belle’s friend, Jo, and me with Damon’s cousin, Kennedy. I’ve met her several times before, and she’s fun and friendly. She has a prosthetic arm, and she jokes about the lace gloves she’s wearing tomorrow, and how she’s had to have one made bigger than the other.
Mik lines us up behind Belle and her father, and we proceed down the aisle. The guys leave the bridesmaids once they reach the altar, and Mik tells us to take a place in the pews.
Juliette is on the end of one of the pews. She’s next to Mack’s wife, Sidnie, but there’s plenty of room on the pew, so I go up to her and gesture for her to scoot along.
Mik’s talking again, so she can’t argue with me, but she sends me a glare as she moves up, forcing everyone to shuffle along. I squeeze in beside her, and she huffs.
“Cozy, isn’t it?” I murmur.
“Thought you’d go and sit beside your new girlfriend,” she whispers back.
“Alex asked me to look after her,” I tell her.
“Oh.” She looks a little mollified.
Smiling, I face the front, and we listen to Mik as he runs through the ceremony.
When the rehearsal is finished, it’s time to head to the minivans to return to Brooklyn Heights. I hesitate as we wander outside, wishing I could sit with Juliette, but she’s not my girlfriend, and even though we’re good friends, I need to be careful about how much time I spend with her. Disappointed, I join Kait again, and we travel back together. She’s pleasant enough, and at any other time I’d have enjoyed flirting with a movie star, but I’m still a little hungover, tired from the party last night, and restless from not being able to be with Juliette, so I’m not great company.
“You’re very much the strong, silent type, aren’t you?” Kait says with amusement when, after arriving at the Heights, we head down to the top terrace for cocktails.
“I’m sorry.” I smile. “I’m a bit distracted.”
“Women troubles?”
I sigh. “Unfortunately, yes.”
“I thought as much. There’s no way a good-looking guy like you was going to be single. Besides which, you’re Alex’s age and far too young for me.” She winks at me, then leans forward conspiratorially. “Is she here?”
“I couldn’t possibly comment.”
“That means yes. Is she the rather striking dark-haired woman with the bindi?”
My eyebrows rise, and she laughs. “It’s written all over your face when you look at her. What’s her name?”
“Juliette,” I admit reluctantly. “And she’s sort of still with someone, so it’s a secret.”
“My lips are sealed, darling. She’s been shooting daggers at me all afternoon, though, so I’m guessing she’s a tad jealous that you’re with me.” She lifts up onto her tiptoes and whispers in my ear. “Shall we make her jealous?”
I give a short laugh. “That’s a bad idea on so many levels.”
“Oh well.” She kisses my cheek anyway. “That might be enough to get the ball rolling.”
I chuckle and accept a couple of cocktails from a passing waiter. “Come on, before you cause any more mischief.”
