Page 41 of Storm in a Teacup (Love in Edinburgh #3)

“Huh,” she says. “I did find it odd that you suddenly had a boyfriend after going on for months about never wanting to be in a relationship again. But I figured I wouldn’t say anything because you seemed happy with him, and I didn’t want to accidentally talk you out of the relationship.”

“I am happy with him,” I moan into my hands. “I absolutely adore him. I told him about the miscarriage last night. And what Atti said afterward. I haven’t told anyone but you, my parents, and my sisters about that.”

Her eyes squint. “What did Atti say afterward?”

I drop my hands, aghast that she could have forgotten the worst thing anyone has ever spoken to me. “What do you mean ‘what did Atti say afterward?’ How can you not remember?”

“You never told me what he said! You just said he said something horrible, but you were too upset to elaborate.”

My mouth drops open. “I never told you? I know I told my mom and dad. I swear to god I told you.”

“You most certainly did not.”

“I did too! I tell you everything!”

“You did not . I would remember. I remember every detail about his I’m-rich-so-let’s-go-to-Paris proposal, so I know I remember every detail you told me about the breakup. I swear you did not tell me, Melinda.”

“Oh. You’re sure?”

She nods, so I tell her, and her mouth falls open.

“Shit. Maybe I’ll be the one committing a violent act at my wedding.

How could you not tell me that! I would have kicked him out of the bridal party, Julien’s cousin or not, if you told me he said that.

” She groans and says, “I honestly don’t think Julien will allow Atti in the wedding party anymore once he learns what he said.

Which will mess up our numbers.” She grimaces and asks quietly, “Can I tell him tomorrow? No, that’s horrible. He should know today.”

“You can tell him tomorrow. I’ve moved past it. I don’t want to mess with your numbers.”

“We could ask Ben to fill in.”

“Ben and I are not dating,” I remind her. “Even if we were, we have not known each other that long. Do you want to look back at your wedding photos many years from now and see a rando?”

“I don’t want to see Atti. I like Ben better than I like Atti.”

“Well, yeah, but Atti is going to be your family, whether you like it or not. We can always ask him to go grab something and quickly take a bunch of pictures without him.”

She laughs, then sighs long and hard. “Atti always said he said something in the heat of the moment and you overreacted.”

“He would frame it that way.”

She grabs both my hands and says earnestly, “I’m so sorry, Linny.

He’s wrong, you know. He’s a terrible, bitter, tiny man, and he is wrong .

” She pulls me into her arms again. “You will be a wonderful mother, if that is what you want. And I know it is. Your future child will be perfect, just like you. My mum is the best mum in the world, and her eyes did not keep her from being that wonderful, perfect mother. They kept her from driving me places. That’s it .

And there are so many workarounds for that.

Do not let him keep you from trying again.

I suspect your family told you the same thing. ”

I swallow roughly. “So did Ben.”

“So, logically, we are all right and that little man-child otherwise known as Atticus the arsehole is wrong .” We sit there, in the bathtub, holding each other until there’s a knock on the door.

“Mel? Linny? The makeup artist is in the lobby.”

Mel pulls away, wiping her eyes. “Shit. I have to go.” She yells, “I’m getting married today!”

“You’re getting married today!”

We get Mel back to her hotel room with the makeup artist.After we’re all ready, we climb into cars to the church. We head straight to a room in the back where Mel can finish getting dressed.

When it’s almost time, I run out to make sure everything is in order and run into Paul in the hallway, dressed in a gray suit with his tie the same color pink as my dress.

“Hey!” I say. “Julien ready?”

“Yep,” Paul says, messing with one of his cuff links. “I was just coming to find you. We’re all set.”

“How is he?”

“Grossly excited,” he confirms with a smile.

“Mel too.”

Paul asks, “You have the rings?”

Fucking fuck .

“Oh my god,” I say. Then again, “Oh. My. God .”

Paul cringes. “No chance that’s a good ‘oh my god?’”

I let out a frustrated groan. “I forgot the fucking rings. Shit!” My hands flutter around me as I try to figure out what to do. “Can we stall, do you think? I know where they are. We can go get them. Or, wait. Ben. Ben might not be here yet. It’ll be quicker if he gets them.”

Paul nods, trying to remain calm. “Okay. Good plan. I’m sure we can stall for a bit.”

My hands shake as I find Ben’s contact. I can’t believe I did this. I told Mel nothing else would go wrong. Fucking fuck .

Ben answers, “Why hello, sugar. May I help you with something?”

I let out another frustrated whimper. “Benny, I forgot the rings. Do you still have my keys? Are you on your way here? Can you go back and get them? I cannot believe I forgot the rings. Mel is going to kill me. They’re on the table by my front door.

Just, if you could go get them, it would be quicker, I think. And it would really help—”

He cuts me off. “Lin, I have the rings.”

My heart skips a beat. “What?”

“I saw them sitting on the mail table as I was leaving yours this morning. Figured you would need them. I texted you.”

I look at Paul and say, “He has the rings.”

Paul’s body sags, relief spreading over his features. “Thank goodness.”

My voice is small as I say, “I didn’t see the text.”

“That’s okay. You were busy. I’m pulling into the car park now. Where are you?”

My hand covers my heart as I force myself to take in a few deep breaths. “We’re in the back of the church. Cut through the church and go through the door on the back left.”

“Got it. I’ll see you in a sec.”

I pace while we wait for Ben. Moments later, he comes through the door. He bows before me, extending his arm to hold out the ring box. “Your rings, my lady.”

I take them and immediately hand them over to Paul, who pivots to make sure the ring bearer has them. When Ben stands up straight, I wrap my arms around his neck to pull him into a tight hug. “Thank you,” I say, squeezing with all my might. “Thank you. Thank you.”

He squeezes me back. “Of course, love. ”

I finally release him and smooth down my dress.

“You look beautiful,” he says.

“You too,” I say, because he does. He’s wearing the pin I gave him yesterday on the lapel of his suit jacket. I can’t help but ask, “No kilt?”

He grins. “Naw, didn’t want to outshine Mel. Though I saw a fair few on my strut up the aisle, so I’m a tad jealous.”

“Next wedding,” I say, toying with the amethyst ring on my right hand, mind once again straying to him in a kilt.

Damn, it only took me five years of living in Scotland to realize I had a thing for kilts.

Maybe I just have a thing for the idea of Ben in a kilt.

I have a thing for Ben, period. I shake myself back to reality. “I’ve got to get back to Mel.”

“Right. I’ll go find my seat.”

We head in our separate directions, but I can’t help but look back at him before I turn the corner. I catch him looking back at me as well. He smiles, then disappears through the door.

I go tell Mel that we’re ready to start. She’s getting married today.