“Sorry.” Kate flicks me a cheeky grin. I know why she’s hitting the drink so early, and it’s called Dan and Sam combined.
“What about Dad and Dan?”
“At the bar, Ava. All of the men are at the bar.” Kate emphasizes all.
I wince. Today is going to be tough for Kate. Dan delayed his return to Australia so he could be here for my wedding, but he hasn’t said much, neither on the night of the proposal or since. He doesn’t need to. It’s obvious he’s struggling with both the direction of my life and being near Kate, especially with an oblivious Sam on the scene. Kate’s struggling, too, although trying to appear unaffected.
“Come on, then.” Kate claps her hands. “Are you getting dressed or walking down the aisle in that? I’m sure he won’t mind.”
I smile at my fiery friend. “I’m getting dressed.” I unpack my heels from the tissue paper and slip them on, raising me by four inches. “Right.” I take a deep breath and make my way over to the door, where my dress is waiting for me.
“Perhaps you should use the toilet before we get you into it,” Mum suggests, joining me by the dress. “Oh, Ava. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
I hum my agreement, my eyes drifting up and down the full length. “I know. And yes, I need a wee.” I leave my mum admiring my dress and head for the bathroom, catching Kate having another quick glug while my mum’s back is turned. I shut the door quietly before using the toilet and relishing another private moment. Then I hear a loud knock on the suite door, followed by the unmistakable panicked voice of my mother. Wondering what’s going on, I make quick work of sorting myself out and washing my hands before exiting the bathroom.
“Jesse.” Mum is clearly exasperated. “You and I are going to fall out if you don’t do as you’re told.”
I look over at Kate, who’s drinking more Most Marvelous while Mum is distracted. She grins at me on a shrug. “What’s going on?” I ask.
“Jesse wants to see you, but Elizabeth is having none of it.”
I roll my eyes, turning my attention to the door, where Mum is blocking the small gap between the door and the frame.
“We won’t fall out, Mum, if you let me in,” Jesse says. I know he’s grinning at my mother, but his playfulness isn’t fooling me. I can detect the threat in his tone. He’s coming into this room, and not even Mum will stop him.
“Jesse Ward, you do not get to call me ‘Mum’ when I’m only nine years older than you!” she spits. “Now go, you’ll be seeing her in half an hour.”
“Ava!” he yells.
I throw my eyes back to Kate, and she nods her head, instantly catching my drift. We both run toward the door, Kate unhooking my dress from the top and me gathering the bottom in my arms before we take it into the bathroom and rehang it on the back of the door.
Kate laughs. “Will your mum learn or will she continue to try and tame him?”
“I don’t know.” I smooth the front of my dress down and follow Kate back out, shutting the door behind me. Mum is still guarding the door, her foot wedged at the bottom. That won’t stop him.
“Jesse, no!” She’s pushing against him now. “It’s bad luck. Have you no respect for tradition, you stubborn man?”
“Let me in, Elizabeth.” He’s clenching his teeth. I know he is.
I glance at Kate and shake my head. He’s trampling my mother, just like he promised if she ever got in his way, and she is most certainly in his way.
Kate takes another drink from the tray and walks casually over to the door. “Elizabeth, just let him in. You’ll never stop him. The man’s a rhinoceros.”
“No!” Mum is really digging her heels in. “He is not…oh!…Jesse Ward!”
I smile to myself as I watch my determined mother shoved back slightly before being lifted from her feet and placed neatly to the side. She rearranges her dress and straightens her hairpiece, all the while spitting nails at my challenging man. Then I cast my eyes back to the open doorway.
I swallow. His green pools are full of desire and studying me closely, his face expressionless, his jaw stubbled. My greedy stare trails slowly down his half nakedness as he stands before me in just his loose shorts, his solid chest damp and his hair dark with sweat. He’s been running again.
“Well!” Mum huffs. “Ava, tell him to leave!” She’s not happy.
I meet his gaze. “It’s fine, Mum. Just give us five minutes.”
His eyes sparkle in approval as he stands patiently waiting for my mum to relent and leave us. Mum won’t appreciate it, but even this small gesture is uncharacteristically respectful. He’s trampling all right, but he could trample harder.