Page 37 of Storm in a Teacup (Love in Edinburgh #3)

I feel a hand on my shoulder and jump so hard I spill a bit of my water. I know that hand and it is not one I ever planned on touching me again. I crane my head to see Atti standing behind me. “Hey, Linny. We didn’t really say hello at the church.”

“By design, Atticus.”

“Where’s that guy you were seeing? Are you not seeing him anymore?”

“No, I can still see him,” I respond flatly.

He rolls his eyes obnoxiously. “Funny.”

I mutter, “You used to think so.” I sip my water, glancing back at Kensie and Jen, who look equally as annoyed by Atti’s presence. “He’s not here yet. Where’s Bridget?”

He shifts uncomfortably. “We broke up.”

If I had a few drinks in me, all the horrible things I want to say in this moment would slip out. But I am completely sober, so all I say is, “Ah.”

An arm slides around my waist, but this touch does not surprise me. I melt into it, so familiar and comfortable. Ben.

“Hi,” he says in my ear.

“Hi,” I say back through a grin.

I glance back at Atti, who has taken a step away and looks down at us uncomfortably. Without another word, he gives a stiff jerk of his head and wanders off to prey on someone else for the evening.

“You’re late,” I scold Ben.

He frowns. “I know. I’m sorry—time got away from me. I was searching for this tie. An embarrassing amount of my things are still in boxes. But look.” He holds it to my dress. “It matches perfectly.”

I bump him lightly with my hip. “This isn’t prom.”

“You guys are so cute,” Kensie interjects. “Jen and I love to match. We’re matching tonight.”

Indeed, they are. The light pink flowers on Kensie’s dress match the color of Jen’s jumpsuit. They’re also wearing the same shoes in different colors. That is cute.

I nudge Ben to the side so I can talk to him privately for a second. “I got you something.”

He lights up. “You did?”

From my pocket, I pull out a pin I spotted in a shop the other day, about the size of my thumbnail. It’s a tri-colored cat. Pink, purple, and blue. He takes it from my hand and holds it up to his eye.

“A bisexual cat?”

My face heats. “Yeah. Sorry. It’s silly. I saw it and thought of you. Not that you being bi is like the only part of you I can see. You don’t have to keep—”

He cuts me off by pulling me into his arms. I let out a surprised, “ Oof ,” but wrap my arms around him as well, my head pressed to his chest. “You’re hugging me,” I observe.

“I am hugging you,” he confirms, dipping his head down to nuzzle closer to my neck. “Thank you. I love it.”

“It was five pounds.”

“I love it,” he repeats. He releases me and immediately pins the cat to the collar of his shirt.

We make our way over to an assigned table with Kensie and Jen.

Paul and Amber are sitting there as well.

Ben and Paul say an excited hello to one another, causing guilt to rattle through me for being the reason they can’t give it a try.

I remind myself that Ben is perfectly able to pursue him after the wedding.

And what a great story that would be of how they met.

Dinner is soon served. Once we finish eating, the speeches start. One from the father of the groom, and one from Mel, which is unconventional, but she loves a bit of that.

“Thank you all for being here to help us celebrate our special day, which starts in four hours!”

After the speeches are done, we are left to mingle. Ben and I get up from the table, making the rounds together. He leaves me to go grab us a drink, returning rather swiftly with a cocktail in each hand.

I take a sip and cough. “Whoa. How much vodka did they add to this?” I hold the glass in front of my face to get a better look. It’s pink. Vodka cranberry should be red, typically. I laugh. “I’m going to see if the bartender will add more cranberry juice to this.”

“I can do it if you want,” Ben offers.

“Nah, I got it.” I squeeze him on the arm before navigating my way to the bar. I ask the bartender for a bit more cranberry juice, and we joke together about his heavy pour.

I turn around, glass in hand, and start to make my way back to Ben.

Someone is walking my way, so I swerve a little too much as an overcorrection and bump into a chair.

It scoots on the ground, and I let out a little groan, but nothing was spilled.

No one was hurt. I really hate chairs, though. Why are they always in my way?

I round that one, but then I hit another one that someone pushed out too far.

I’m about to let that be as well, more than ready to get back to Ben, but a deep voice says, “God, Linny. You should walk slower.”

Atti is watching me with pure distaste. I freeze up, wishing I wouldn’t. His embarrassment of me burns through me, churning in my core like molten lava .

“Or go easy on the drinks,” he says, eyeing the glass in my hand.

“It’s my first one,” I say tightly, not knowing why I am bothering to defend myself from him.

He holds his hands up as though I’m yelling at him.

Like I’m the one being overdramatic. “All I’m saying is that you should be more careful.

That guy isn’t going to want to date someone always making a scene.

” My jaw tightens at the mention of Ben.

“It’s easier for everyone if you just stand still. ”

Before I get my mouth to work, Ben slides in out of nowhere and says, “Apologize.” Atti chortles like Ben is joking, but Ben doubles down. “I said, apologize .”

Atti’s lip curls. “Sorry.”

Ben steps closer, encompassed by fury. “Say it like you mean it.” Even though Atticus has a few inches on him, with the expression on Ben’s face, Ben seems much taller.

I grab Ben’s arm, saying his name quietly. I don’t want to cause a scene. No one seems to be looking at us, thankfully. Ben’s hand covers where mine grasps his arm.

Atti tsks and peers down at me. “Sorry, Linny. I just think you should be more careful. I’m looking out for you.”

Ben laughs at that. Loudly. “Looking out for her?” he asks. “You think she needs you to look out for her? You think you deserve to look out for her? That is hilarious. Truly.” Ben turns away, taking my hand in his.

But Atti isn’t going to let this go. “She’s not worth it, mate. You say one wrong thing in the heat of the moment, and she’ll drop you. Dump you like you never meant anything to her.”

My entire body is so rigid that I am in pain.

Ben turns back slowly. “She’s not worth it? She’s not worth it?” He laughs like that is the most ridiculous thing he has ever heard. “ She is worth the world, and you are hardly a blade of grass.”

My heart catches in my throat. He takes my hand to pull me away from Atti and back to the center of the room. He stops, but I tug on his hand to keep walking, eyes trained ahead as I am now on a mission.

I set my drink on a table before I push our way through the curtains and down the hallway that holds the restrooms and the cloakroom. The bathrooms are both occupied, so I shove open the door to the empty cloakroom. I lock it behind me.

Ben followed me willingly, but is incredibly confused as he asks, “Linny, what—?”

“Shut up,” I say, pulling his mouth to mine.