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‘Of course I do.’ He checked over his shoulder, no doubt ensuring Tiffany hadn’t snuck up on him.
‘And what about Tiffany? Do you adore her?’
‘Tiffany understands what we are.’
‘And what’s that?’
‘We’re having fun. She knows that.’
‘Does she, Dad? It wasn’t so long ago that you were telling everyone that Tiffany was the love of your life. Do you have any idea how much that hurt Mum? How much it hurt all of us to hear you say that?’
‘I wasn’t thinking straight. I was having a crisis of some sort, but I’m over that now. I know what I want.’
‘And so does Mum, and it’s not you.’ She unfolded her arms and stepped forwards to kiss her father’s cheek. ‘Look, Dad, I love you, but your marriage to Mum is over. The best thing you can do is accept that and move on. Give her the house, she’s more than earned it. Be compassionate, allow her the means to start afresh. It’s the least she deserves.’
‘I have my own security to consider.’
‘You’re loaded. You can buy another place outright, don’t punish Mum. Like so many women, she’s put family first all these years. She’s run the home, brought up your kids and sacrificed a decent career so you could pursue yours. And her reward? Being left for a woman thirty years younger. If you really love her, as you say, you’ll do the decent thing, Dad. Step up and be the good man I know you are deep down.’ Or at least, she hoped he was.
He lifted his chin. ‘I’ll think about it.’
‘Good, you do that. Now, go and find Tiffany. If you neglect the poor woman any more this weekend, you’ll end up with no one, and how would that be?’
He shivered. ‘Awful.’
‘Exactly.’ She patted her dad’s arm, feeling more like the parent in their relationship than the child. Shouldn’t she be the one seeking out romantic advice? Not that she needed it. She’d finally realised what she wanted – or rather who she wanted – and she was damned if she was going to let the opportunity slip away again.
She watched her father walk off, his cocky demeanour slightly dented. He’d foolishly thought he could run off with another woman, have his fun and then come crawling back when he’d had enough. More fool him, and good on her mum for sending him packing. It was sad to know her parents wouldn’t be together, but hopefully things might be a little less intense now that her mum had found a new path in life.
Beth looked over and spotted Matt heading towards her.
She smiled with relief. Finally, they could be alone.
‘How did it go with your dad?’ he said, reaching her.
‘About as well as the conversation you had with your brother.’
‘That good?’ He looked down at her, his expression soft yet intense. ‘Who needs that kind of drama in their life, right?’ His voice was tentative and he looked down at her, a questioning look on his face. ‘If only love could be simple and uncomplicated.’
She looked up into his blue eyes, her blood beginning to fizz. ‘If only, eh?’
‘Imagine how much easier it would be if you had someone in your corner.’ He closed the gap between them, his hands coming up to cup her face. ‘Someone who you trusted completely, and who always had your back, and who you knew would never let you down.’
She’d stopped breathing. ‘If only such a person existed.’
‘And if they did exist, would you let them love you?’ His face lowered to hers, his lips almost touching hers.
This was it, the time had finally come. She could feel his breath on her cheek and her belly began to flip in anticipation. ‘I—’
The lobby suddenly exploded with laughter, and once again the moment was gone.
Beth and Matt stepped away from each other, as Megan and Zac appeared arm-in-arm, a crackling bundle of joy and energy.
‘Here you are!’ her sister said, rushing over and enveloping Beth in a hug. ‘We’ve been looking for you.’
Zac came over and hugged Matt. ‘We wanted to thank you for all you’ve done, it’s been the best day ever.’
‘We’ve loved every second of it.’ Megan was slurring, no doubt from all the champagne. ‘You’re miracle workers, the pair of you.’
