“Delightful!” she sings in my face.
Patrick grasps his wife’s elbow and guides her away. “We’ll get a drink.” He rolls his eyes, and I smile fondly at my boss. I know he finds his wife exasperating.
“Interesting woman,” Jesse muses, looking a little alarmed at her leopard-print body, wobbling away from us.
I laugh. “She makes Patrick’s life miserable.”
“I can imagine.”
“Here’s John,” I say, glancing past Jesse at the big guy strolling over, wraparounds in place and his usual menacing expression plastered all over his face. His stare is pointed at the cuffs before he gives me the nod. I nod back.
“A word, Jesse,” he rumbles. He’s too serious. I don’t like it, and Jesse’s quick flick of his eyes to me doesn’t make me feel any better.
Jesse reaches into his pocket and pulls out the key to the handcuffs, and I watch as he brings it to my wrist. “What are you doing?” I ask, yanking my arm away.
“John wants a quick word.”
“Oh no.” I laugh. “You don’t get to release me when it suits you. No way, Ward.” I look at John, who’s still expressionless.
“Ava, I’ll be back shortly.” He pulls my wrist back to him.
“No! Where are you going?” I look at John. “Where is he going?”
“’S’all good, girl.”
“No. It’s not all fucking good!” I yell, a bit too loudly, earning myself a frightening scowl from Jesse. I don’t care. He doesn’t get to do this. He doesn’t get to brush me off when it suits him. It’s my wedding day.
“Watch your mouth!” he grates, leaning into me. “I’ll be a few minutes. You’ll stay fucking put, Ava.”
I recoil at his animosity, completely stunned as he makes quick work of the handcuffs before striding out with John. I’m perched on a barstool, the bride in a stunning gown, adorned with diamonds, all of our guests laughing, chatting, and drinking, and I want to go home. I feel tearful, slighted, and very, very hurt. I lower myself from the stool, deciding to escape to the toilets. I might have a little cry, too. I need to get away from these people before the tears start flowing freely.
“Where are you going, darling?” Mum asks as she makes her way over.
I spread a fake smile on my face. She’s had too much Most Marvelous. Her hair isn’t perfect and she doesn’t seem to care, a clear indication that she’s feeling a bit squiffy. “Toilet. I won’t be long.”
“Do you want some help? I’m not sure where Kate’s gone.” She looks around the bar.
“No, I’ve got it.” I leave my mum and head for the toilets, looking forward to some privacy.
Pushing my way through the door, I place myself in front of the mirror to look at my sorry face. I’m not a blushing bride anymore. There is no twinkle in my eye or happy smile on my lips. I sigh heavily and pinch my cheeks in an attempt to get some color back into them.
“Ohhh myyy Goddd!”
My head flies up and my body swings around to face the source of the long moan. I still myself, holding my breath as I hear shuffling and shifting from one of the cubicles. Someone is having sex in the toilet? No! I quickly gather my dress up to leave. This could be embarrassing. I take my first urgent step, but then freeze when the door swings open and Kate stumbles out.
I gasp, my dress dropping from my hands. “What are you doing?” I blurt, shocked. I know Sam was slightly miffed that all things kink have been removed and stored temporarily, but they could’ve waited.
She stiffens from head to toe, her red hair a wild mane of curls, half covering her shocked face. “Oh shit!” she says quietly, rearranging her dress.
“Couldn’t you have waited?” I ask, horrified but relived that I haven’t just caught one of our guests in the act.
“Ava…” she begins, and then a man strolls out behind. And it’s not Sam.
My mouth falls open. “Dan?” I don’t believe this. “What the hell are you doing?”
He shrugs, refusing to look at me, keeping all of his attention on refastening his trousers. My eyes are batting between them, waiting for an explanation, but I get nothing from either of them. They’re just standing there, both looking anywhere except at me.
I throw furious eyes at Dan. “I told you to leave it!” I shout, before turning my fury on Kate. “And you’re pissed! What’s the matter with you two? Haven’t you learned?”
“None of your business.” Dan says flatly, and then strides out of the ladies’, leaving me and my delinquent friend alone.