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‘Glad we’re on the same page.’ Leah picked up a vol-au-vent and licked out the mushroom filling. ‘Talking of people being happy, what’s happening with you and Beth?’
His eyes lowered to his beer. ‘Nothing.’
‘That’s not the impression I get.’
‘Meaning?’
Leah nibbled around the edge of the pastry case, like an animated rabbit might do in a kids cartoon. ‘You could start a fire with all the sparks flying between you two. You should’ve seen her expression during your best man’s speech. Positively dreamy.’
‘Beth doesn’t do dreamy.’ He glanced over at her, wishing she’d come over, but knowing she wouldn’t. He feared that ship had sailed.
Leah smiled. ‘Then why did she look at you when she caught the wedding bouquet?’
‘That doesn’t mean anything.’
‘And she sought you out again during the wedding vows.’
He frowned. ‘Probably a coincidence. You’re reading too much into it.’
Leah tutted. ‘Quitter.’
He lifted his eyes. ‘No, I’m a realist.’
Leah glared at him. ‘Do you want to stay single all your life?’
‘No, but—’
‘Then grow some balls.’ She shoved the remaining pastry in her mouth. ‘You’re not getting any younger,’ she said, chewing a mouthful of vol-au-vent.
‘Thanks.’
‘Women like Beth do not grow on trees,’ she said, stealing his beer and taking a sip. ‘Trust me, I know.’ She wiggled an eyebrow, wiping pastry crumbs from the front of her tux. ‘Snooze and you lose, Bro.’
He had no idea whether his sister was giving sound advice or talking nonsense. But his mind drifted back to earlier in the day when he’d been stuck in the bathroom with Beth and they’d ended up kissing. His skin suddenly became hot, an instinctive reaction to the memory of her pressed against him. He’d never felt this way about a woman before. She pushed all his buttons, good and bad. His sister was right, what were the chances of finding another Beth? Non-existent.
His eyes searched her out. She was walking away from him, her long legs accentuated by high heels. Was he really ready to admit defeat? ‘I’m not sure now is the right time, too much has happened this weekend. Maybe once this is all over, I’ll contact her and see if she’d like to meet up for coffee.’
Leah kicked his foot. ‘Seriously?’
He dragged his gaze away from Beth. ‘What? I thought that’s what you wanted?’
‘To meet up for coffee? Could you be any less romantic?’ She rolled her eyes. ‘Matt, you’re at a wedding. Weddings are romantic occasions that evoke sentimentality and inspire people to do crazy things, like kissing strangers. Emotions are heightened. The love of your life is here, waiting, eager for you to make a move. The champagne is flowing, the moment is ripe. For crying out loud, don’t blow it. Don’t give her time to cool off or return to being practical and sensible. Use the music and the ambience to win the girl.’
‘Win the girl?’
‘Win the girl.’ Leah stood up and patted his arm. ‘Now, I need more food.’
Matt was left pondering how on earth he was supposed to do that.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Beth’s feet were killing her. High heels weren’t usually a problem, but then she was used to sitting behind a desk for most of the day. Tottering about in four-inch heels for the past twelve hours was taking its toll, and the balls of her feet were positively burning.
At least she could relax a bit now that the wedding had finally happened – albeit a rather unconventional one. The bride’s mother had walked the bride down the aisle, given her daughter away and then ambushed her ex-husband’s attempts to make a speech at the reception. Connie’s speech had been funny, vaguely romantic – if you ignored the quip about women needing to rely on themselves rather than a man – and endearing. Beth had no idea what her father’s speech would have been like by comparison, but his disgruntled expression left no one in any doubt regarding his feelings at being usurped. He’d sat there stony-faced, with Tiffany pouting like a guppy fish next to him. The pair of them looked about as happy as Zac’s parents.
Thankfully, proceedings reverted to the conventional after that. Zac gave an emotional heartfelt groom’s speech that left everyone in tears, and Matt’s touching and amusing best man’s speech made everyone smile. Including her. He’d been nervous, she could tell, but he’d overridden the tremor in his hands, kept his chin up and done his nephew proud. She’d been incredibly proud of him. The poor man hadn’t had the easiest of weekends, what with his dad being arrested, discovering Megan was already married and being propositioned by the bride’s mother. But he’d kept going, overcome every problem thrown at him and ensured the day was a resounding success.
He’d also made quite an impression on her brother, who’d handed over his stash of weed to her this afternoon and asked her to flush it down the loo. He’d also vowed to quit drinking. The details of their encounter remained unclear – all Alex would say was that Matt was a ‘top bloke’ and he’d done him a ‘solid one’, whatever that meant. Maybe it was better to remain oblivious. Whatever had happened, she shared her brother’s belief that Matt was indeed a ‘top bloke’.
