A puff of air leaves my lips. “Mum, this is me.” Plus, Steph likes me this way—unshaven—and there’s no way I’m gonna disappoint. Will she be glad to see me? Fuck, this is a bad idea. She won’t be happy to see me. I should let sleeping dogs lie.
“Do you need a lift?”
“I’ve booked a taxi.” I slip on my old Dr Martens that are the only shoes I brought. Mum wrinkles her brow when she sees them, but says nothing, as I don’t have any other option.
* * *
At the hotel,the reception is already underway; the buffet is out. Everyone is merry. I have some catching up to do, but I’m thankful I’ve missed the speeches and shit. I walk by the large buffet table and shove a mini scotch egg in my mouth. Chewing it down, I scan the room, but don’t recognise anyone. Fuck, am I at the right place?
There’s a squeal behind me that makes me jump. Yep. I’m at the right place.
I turn around to a beautiful bride, throwing her arms around me. “I’m so glad you came. When you posted my card and gift, I thought you weren’t coming.”
“Yeah, I wasn’t gonna come. I’m guessing you opened it then, if you know it was from me?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“You look beautiful, Kelly. Congratulations.” I kiss her cheek as she lets go of me.
“Let me introduce you to Ryan.” She hooks her arm through mine and we walk to the bar.
“Ryan, this is my friend Cal, who I used to work with.”
“Ay-up mate.” He shakes my hand. “Good to meet you. What you drinking?”
The bartender places two drinks on the bar.
“I’ll have a pint of Stella, cheers.”
“A pint of Stella as well, mate,” he says to the bartender.
“Cal.” A gruff voice shouts. Jerry moves to the side of me, patting my back.
“I’ll let you catch up with everyone,” Kelly says before slipping away with Ryan to mingle with more guests.
“How you been?” Jerry asks, but he doesn’t give me time to answer before pulling me over to James and Chris. I reach out my hand and collect my pint from the bar before being hauled to the other end.
“Good to see you, mate. How’s things down under?” James asks.
“Yeah, everything’s good.” I take a big gulp of beer and scan the room again, but don’t see her. “Anyway, James. You and Sarah?”
He smiles and looks down at his foot, tapping the bar stool in front of him. “Yeah, who knew, ay?”
“Is she here?”
“She’s somewhere about. She was with Steph the last time I saw her.”
My stomach hardens. Fuck, she’s here.
“Have you been in touch with Steph?” he asks.
“No, why does everybody keep asking me that?”
He flinches his head back and flicks his eyes to Chris. “Just thought you would’ve got in touch with her, that’s all.”
I scan the room again, then spot Sarah walking into the function room. My stomach flips over when Steph follows behind. I try to swallow, but I can barely breathe. She’s breathtaking. Literally. I almost didn’t recognise her with blonde honey-toned highlights and even curvier than I remember, or maybe it’s the figure-hugging dress that’s accentuating all my favourite parts of her body.
The silky fabric clings to the round curve of her stomach, draping over her hips. My eyes wander to her tits spilling out over the top, looking even bigger than before, reminding me of Jessica Rabbit. Fuck, did I just compare her to a cartoon character? That comparison doesn’t do her justice.