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“Is that Milly’s grandson? With your wife?” the older lady muttered to Benjamin as she too had curiously looked for the cause of Lucy’s distress.
The three of them watched Ava trying to move away from Milly’s grandson, who blocked her path and said something to her with a big grin. They were too far to hear what was being said but it was clear that this guy, was clearly out of line. Ava’s face looked a mix of desperate and angry as she tried once more to get away from him.
“I hope she is not going to cause a scene,” Lucy said with an irritable tone crossing her arms. “This girl is nothing but trouble,” she added talking to her older friend who was nodding in sympathy.Did they blame Ava for this?Ben didn’t have much time to wonder if they were actually watching the same incident, as Milly’s grandson now grabbed Ava by her arm to pull her closer to him. An incredible wave of heat flushed through Benjamin as he loosened his collar and he bolted over there.
“Please let me go,” he now heard Ava say. She had maintained her calm and, once again, tried to move.
“I just want to talk,” Milly’s grandson muttered back at her in a slurred speech and held a bottle of champagne to her face. “Want a drink? No?” He shrugged and took another sip. The liquid dripped down the side of his mouth. Ava pushed him aside.
“What’s going on here?” Benjamin cut in and asked calmly, standing right beside her. Milly’s grandson looked up and immediately recognized him.
“If that isn’t Benjamin Radcliff. Great party. Just getting to know this lady here,” he said drifting back and forth.
“Sorry but she happens to be with me,” Benjamin said. Milly’s grandson scratched his head.
“I thought you got married and stuff…”
“I did. This is my wife.” He put his arms around Ava’s waist pulling her in a little closer. She let it happen. Milly’s grandson straightened and glanced between the two, before shrugging.
“Didn't see no ring. You sure you don’t want a drink?” He tugged at Ava’s arm but this time, Benjamin grabbed it and twisted it. Milly’s grandson let out a loud cry. The first heads started to turn toward them.
“Ah there you are Joseph,” Lucy entered the scene with a huge grin on her face. “Your grandmother is looking for you,” she added interlocking her arm with his. Joseph wanted to say something, but Lucy already pulled him away throwing Ava and Benjamin a hateful glance.
Suddenly, Benjamin realized that he was still holding Ava close against his body. A weird tingle replaced the heat of anger that had rushed through him not too long ago. He let go and stepped back.
“I . . . uh, I’m sorry about that,” he apologized, rubbing the back of his head.
“It’s fine,” Ava whispered. They stood there staring at each other, awkwardly.
“I think—” she started to say and stopped when her words clashed with his.
“You go first,” he offered, smiling. A real smile, not a smug smirk.
She nodded. “Uhm, well, thank you,”
“For what?” he arched his eyebrow and pursed his lips. Her neck twitched, her eyes moving away from his. “Oh, you mean that idiot? It’s nothing. I think you had it under control.”
She shrugged. “Maybe, but you still came and put him in his place and for that I am grateful.”
“Well then, you’re welcome.” He dug his hands in his pocket and raised his shoulders, trying hard not to look into her big blue eyes. “For what it’s worth,” he spoke silently, hesitating a bit when he saw her watching him, “…you are my wife.”
“What?” she asked, looking up at him.
“Oh uhm, I’m sorry. I know we are not really…”
She shook her head. “Not that. I Just didn’t hear what you said.”
The words clicked in his head and he laughed in relief. He thought of asking that they went for a walk, away from the noise and the people, but then the voice in his head raged:What are you doing? She hates you.
Raising his voice above the loud music he repeated as if his lips had its own mind, “I said for what it’s worth, you are my wife.”
She blushed and looked away, pretending to gaze at some guy laughing his lungs out.
“I guess it has its ups too.”
“Let’s not go overboard, Lucy Radcliff is still your mother-in-law,” he joked and ran his fingers through his hair, her eyes following her every move with a warm smile.
“True that,” she said.
