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The next few seconds seemed to pass in slow motion. She felt the punch to her gut as if it was a physical blow and almost wondered if she had actually reacted that way, though she knew she hadn't. Connor and Jake, already flanking her on either side, seemed to move closer. Desi felt Jake's arm curl supportively around her waist, and in some distant part of her brain, she realised that he had known about this. It explained a lot of things.
Desi's eyes automatically found Joel's, as if they were drawn to him by some kind of magnetic force. She felt tears prickling at the back of her eyes and she thought she saw a flash of guilt in Joel's as she blinked them away. Even though she knew and had accepted that Joel didn't want her, the knowledge that he had given her some of the most passionate and fulfilling moments of her life and then turned right around and found himself a wife in just a matter of days still hurt. Or was it a matter of days? For all she knew, Joel might have been having a relationship with Anita for the last eleven years, despite his assurances to the contrary.
Desi's professional autopilot kicked in. "How…delightful," she heard herself say as she stretched her mouth into what she hoped was a smile and not a grimace while she took Anita's outstretched hand. "Congratulations."
She was dimly aware of the huge diamond Anita was flashing and hoped the appropriate noises had left her throat.
Spying a passing waiter, Desi stopped him in what still seemed to be a time lapsed haze and asked for champagne all round. Toasts were made, suitable compliments were given, and Desi downed her champagne in one large gulp. At that, time seemed to kick back to its normal pace. Desi took a deep breath and looked at Jake, who was watching her with obvious concern, flashing him a contrived but brilliant smile.
"How thoughtless of us," Desi exclaimed, and her voice was only slightly higher pitched than usual. She was sure everyone would put it down to enthusiasm. Well, almost everyone.
"These lovebirds obviously want a little alone time!" Desi whirled away, not caring what anybody thought. She might have accepted that Joel didn't want her or her love, but she wasn't a masochist, well not in that sense, anyway, and she couldn't stay in their company right now. She walked blindly across the room, not really knowing where she was heading, and was grateful to realise Jake's presence as he pulled her into his reassuring hold on the dance floor to a mercifully slow ballad and pressed her head against his chest. Thankfully, he said nothing, just held her tight and offered the comfort she needed.
She didn't know how much time she'd spent tucked away in the security of Jake's arms before she felt the need to freshen up, but she sure as hell could have done without bumping into Anita, of all people, as she left the restroom.
Desi plastered on a smile and tried to look like she was interested in the woman's inane chatter, knowing that Jake wouldn't be far away and wouldn't hesitate to save her. After a few minutes of mindless small talk, Desi thought she was about to get away, when Anita placed her manicured talons on Desi's arm and glanced around as if she were looking for someone.
"Look, I don't want to speak badly of Jake, but you two seem quite cosy, so I think I ought to warn you…"
Desi's hackles immediately rose and she narrowed her stare on Anita, but the other woman was oblivious of Desi's sudden hostility.
"It's just that, well, I don't know quite how to put this…"
"Maybe you shouldn't, then!" Desi warned icily, but Anita wasn't deterred.
"No!" Anita declared a little too loudly, attracting the attention of those close by. "Any woman who considers dating that man has a right to know about him."
In her peripheral vision, Desi was aware of two things. First, that both Joel and Jake were heading towards them from different directions, and second, that far too many people had suddenly taken an interest in Anita's imminent disclosure, drawn by her provocative words and her none too subtle voice.
Desi grabbed hold of her arm, attempting to pull her out of earshot and put a stop to her accusations. She knew what vile allegations were about to come out of the woman's mouth and she didn't want anyone else to hear the untruths.
Anita dug her heels in and stopped dead, pulling Desi back. "But you don't understand," she almost shouted. "And it's important."
Desi desperately looked around her for a diversion. Behind Anita, Joel and Jake were within earshot, and more guests had stopped what they were doing to observe the scene the two of them were starting to cause.
Desi decided her best option was to just get out of there. She shook Anita's hand off and turned to walk away, but she hadn't allowed for the copious amount of champagne that had clearly bypassed Anita's judgment and loosened her tongue. "He's a pervert!" she screeched. "He likes to tie his girlfriends up and thrash them with a whip!"
Desi froze. Anita's voice was loud and the throng of people around them quiet, shocked into silence at Anita's words. Desi felt the fury boil up inside her like a volcano and she shook with its ferocity, but she turned around and advanced on the woman dangerously slowly. "How dare you!" she growled, her eyes shooting fire. "How dare you slander a gentleman's good name with gossip and hearsay fabricated by a gutter journalist, in order to get better ratings and further her career."
Desi continued advancing on Anita until she was right up in her face and kept her clenched fists rigid by her side, in case she was tempted to punch the woman. Behind her, Joel had stopped dead, the colour drained from his face, but there was no sign of Jake. Desi prayed he hadn't heard.
"Would you like us to make up stories about you, Anita? Would you like us to banter them about in public ten years from now, so you can never live them down?"
"But it's true," Anita whined.
"No. It. Is. Not!" Desi was aware that her own voice had risen and made a conscious effort to lower it.
"I know both Jake and Joel intimately," she hissed, scowling at Joel over his fiancée's shoulder.
"Pfft, how could you?" Anita scoffed.
"You probably remember me better as Daisy Kidde." Desi watched as recognition finally dawned on the other woman's face and her eyes widened.
"I can categorically guarantee you that Jake's sexual inclinations are absolutely no different from Joel's. So, if it worries you that much, then I strongly suggest that you concern yourself less about Jake and more with your future husband!" Desi finished in a harsh whisper, reasonably sure that the only people who could have heard their final exchange were Anita, Joel and Connor, who had suddenly appeared as well.
Connor gently peeled Desi away from Anita and proceeded to take Anita in hand.
"Sorry, folks, she's had a bit too much to drink," he announced cheerfully to anyone who was still within hearing range. He started to steer Anita away from the onlookers. "She's just watched that film, 'Fifty Shades of Grey'. She's a tad obsessed, I'm afraid," he excused, to numerous titters of laughter as he led her away.
