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Again, I refuse to listen and throw back another drink. Then, just when I think Millie’s silence means she’ll leave me alone, I see her motion to Dad to come over.
Great.
I let out an annoyed huff, throwing back another as he places his hand on my shoulder. “I’ll take you home, son.”
“You want to take me somewhere? Fine. But not home. Take me to Melrose.”
“Why Melrose?” Millie questions.
“Any club where I can find a woman to make me forget tonight ever happened.”
Millie looks at Dad, but he doesn’t say anything, and I don’t expect him to. He doesn’t involve himself unless he feels his opinion is of value, unlike Millie, who in many ways is just like my overbearing mother.
“If that’s what you want, I’ll take you,” Dad informs me.
Across the patio, Jessa is dancing with Ava and Luna. Her body moves freely with a permanently smile and an occasional break into laughter.
But then, as if she senses me staring, her gaze shifts and the smile on her face disappears. I can work it in my head in so many ways and assume the furrowed brows and drooping shoulders express the hurt she feels. Maybe the downturned mouth and pained expression is the regret over how she handled us.
No matter how I break it down, it all comes down to this.
Jessa Bentley-Mason is marrying someone else.
And there’s not a goddamn thing I can do about it.
One
Jessa
Present
My finger runs across the tips of the soft white petals.
The beautiful arrangement of flowers sits in the large gold vase, centered on the table in the middle of the foyer. It’s a family heirloom, handed down to us on our wedding day by Benedict’s great aunt. There’s a story behind the vase, something about it being gifted by a great love on a birthday, only for tragedy to strike the next day. When it was given to us, I smiled and pretended it wasn’t cursed, and we were honored to receive a beautiful antique on the day we became husband and wife.
A wedding day which feels like a lifetime ago.
In reality, it was just over a year ago when Benedict and I stood in the gardens of his parents’ manor and said ‘I do’ in front of our family and friends.
The ceremony and reception were a grand affair with Benedict’s family, friends, and business associates in attendance. Many of them reside here in England, but a few flew in from Spain and Germany.
As for me, I chose to keep my guest list small, especially because everyone lived in the States. Dad, Kate, Nash, and Sienna were the first to arrive, followed by Mom and my stepfather, Jack. My half-brother, Michael, and his wife came with their two kids, which I welcomed since it’s been a while since I last saw him.
Despite my blended family, it worked without the drama. I think it has a lot to do with Kate. She’s the glue holding us all together because Dad and Mom weren’t exactly the best of friends. If anything, Kate and Mom were a lot closer.
Uncle Lex and his entire family also flew over, along with Rocky and Nikki. Eric and Tristan came, choosing to vacation on the Greek Islands afterward. Considering it was our honeymoon destination also, it was awkward when we ran into Eric wearing a gold thong.
Some things you’llneverbe able to unsee.
And lastly, the Baker family also attended. All but one person.
No one dared to bring up his name, and why should they? Andy and I were never an item. We’d kissed once, and even then, it was done out of anger the night of Austin and Ava’s wedding.
A kiss I’ve long buried because I’m married to Benedict Banks.
“Mrs. Banks.” Our nanny, Eliza, walks down the stairs with a relaxed baby in her arms. “Bentley is ready for his mother now.”
My lips curve upward at the sight of my baby boy.
