Eyes Wide Open
Page 73

“Ahhh . . . well, that would be a situation where Ethan found himself having a slice of humble pie, or as we say in the states, eating crow, in regards to our dear Simon. Ethan called him to apologize for his blowup, and by the end of the conversation had secured the photographic services of the most flaming g*y photographer in all of London, if not all of Europe.” I shrugged. “He takes beautiful pictures and it all worked out in the end.” I nudged Ben. “Simon really had his heart set on that freaky green suit.”
Ben and I laughed together and continued watching the revelry. Simon really looked like the train wreck you couldn’t tear your eyes away from in his leaf green suit. He had Gaby and Ivan together in a few shots. I wondered how they were getting along since they’d been thrown together in this as maid of honor and best man. Gaby looked beautiful, as always, and Ivan looked at her like he thought so too. I’d have to corner her later and get the scoop. I could see the potential for the two of them just in their body language and how they moved in relation to each other. There was some chemistry brewing, I was sure.
“I would have taken your wedding pictures, you know,” Ben said.
I looked up into his handsome face. “I know. But I needed my friend, that I love so dearly, for something much more important today.”
“I know,” Ben whispered back and grabbed my hands, “and it was my very great honor to walk you down the aisle at your wedding. I—I’m pretty speechless right now, Bree. You are so beautiful, my darling friend, on the inside and on the outside.” He squeezed my hands. “And seeing you happy, standing up there with Ethan, was just something so breathtaking I don’t really have the words to tell you properly, except that I love you.” He brought my hands up to his mouth for a kiss.
“Okay . . . I’m crying now, Benny.” I laughed through a sob. “Got a handkerchief for the blubbering, hormonal bride?”
“I’m sorry, luv,” he said sheepishly, handing over his handkerchief.
“You’re fine,” I told him, dabbing at my eyes carefully. “There really wasn’t anyone else I could ask. I didn’t want to walk alone. I don’t know why, but I knew that Daddy would have wanted me to have you there. He thought the world of you and our friendship, Benny. And you were there at the gallery that night—you told me to look over at the hot guy in the gray suit with the wide-open eyes that burned me from across the room. You were there right at the first of Ethan and me.”
“Yeah, I was.” Ben was looking pretty watery himself right now.
“Here.” I handed him back his handkerchief.
We both laughed and pulled ourselves together. “Thanks for inviting my mum today,” he said.
“Of course! I love your mom. She’s so adorable when she’s had a few drinks, and she loves to see you all prettied up. I’m so glad you brought her with you.”
“Well, she loves you too, and if I wasn’t g*y she’d have made me marry you years ago. She wants to be a granny, and she’s going to be all over that baby when it gets here, so you’d better be prepared.” Ben nodded down at my bump, which was just beginning to make its appearance.
“That’s so sweet,” I said, looking out in the gathering to find my mother and Frank chatting with some Italian diplomat at their table. Things were somewhat better between my mom and me, but I didn’t know if there was much hope for the future of the relationship. And that was okay. It really was. I had a family now that needed me as much as I needed them. All of those people lived in England. This was my place in the world now.
There were plenty others around me that counted. My baby, for one. Ethan’s dad and my aunt Marie would be the grandparents my mom and dad never would be. Hannah, Freddy, Gaby, Ivan, Ben, Neil and Elaina would be the aunts and uncles. Jordan and Colin and Zara would be the cousins. So much love surrounding me.
Strong arms wrapped around me from behind and familiar whiskers brushed at my neck. “Mrs. Blackstone, are you hiding in the garden at your own wedding party?”
“Pretty much,” I said leaning back into him in deep contentment.
“Awww, Christ in heaven! Not my mum too!” Ben growled at the dance floor where Simon was now doing a very lewd rumba with Mrs. Clarkson for a cheering crowd.
“Go get ’em, Ben.” Ethan and I laughed at Ben’s retreating back as he went off to rescue his mother from Simon’s undulating hips.
“As insane as Simon looks right now, that crazy boy can dance,” I said, still laughing. “I am not quite over the fact that you hired him to do our photos.”
Ethan snuggled into me a little deeper. “Don’t remind me, please. He blackmailed me, you know. Said he would forgive the whole mess if he could secure the wedding photos for us. I figured that would be okay, so I agreed. Then he sent me the contract. Trust me when I say that your friend Simon has been well compensated for his services today. He even sent me the bill for a f**king bespoke suit made in Milan!”
I nearly choked from laughing. “Oh my God!” I pointed at Simon slithering behind Ben’s mom in his shiny green silk. “There you go, baby. Money well spent, I say. Simon looks soooo happy.” I laughed some more.
“They’d better be f**king museum-quality photographs,” Ethan muttered.
“I saw you dancing with the local beauty with the penchant for ice cream a little while ago,” I said, hoping to divert attention to something more pleasant.
Ethan’s whole face changed immediately. “She’s so amazing. I hope our little peach is just like her if we have a girl.” He put his hands over my belly. “I can feel peaches now. Your belly is hard, and it wasn’t before.”
“Yep. Peaches is in there, all right.” I put my hands over his.
“I love your dress. It’s perfect. You’re perfect.”
“You’re pretty hot yourself in that tux. You got a purple vest just for me. I love it. We are very matchy-matchy, Mr. Blackstone.” And we were indeed. My cream lace dress had a purple belt that tied in the back, and I wore the amethyst and pearl heart pendant around my neck. Ethan had his violet striped vest and a deep purple lily on his jacket. My veil was long and simple, but I loved it because of the pictures I had taken wearing it. Pictures only for Ethan’s eyes. I wanted him to see. “I have a gift for you,” I said.