Page 86 of The Best of Times

“I believe your father wanted a word,” his mother said. “Before the wedding.”

“Did he?” Aron replied, a little too loudly. “I’d better go then.”

He dashed out of the drawing room and down the stairs.

What can he want?

Aron braced himself for bad news. Summons in the Wimpole family rarely meant good.

He found his father loading a tray with a bottle of champagne and glasses.

“There you are,” he said. “Wow. You scrub up well.”

“You don’t look so bad yourself,” Aron replied. “Did Granny choose that suit?”

“What do you think?”

His father looked very handsome in his grey suit. Of course, Granny wouldn’t take a chance. He was walking her down the aisle, after all.

Aron opened the fridge and found the smoked salmon nibbles the caterers had delivered that morning. He’d eaten that much of the stuff over the last few days he would have to go on a major diet when he got back home.

Home? Wherever that is.

“I think we should encourage food wherever possible,” he said. “Did you want to speak to me? Mum said you did.”

“Yes. I’ve checked this out with your Granny and she is in complete agreement with me.”

Aron frowned. “This sounds ominous. Should I be sitting down?”

“Not at all. After much discussion, we’d both like you to walk her down the aisle instead of me.”

Aron actually staggered backward.

“Me? Walk her down the aisle?”

“Yes.”

“I couldn’t. That’s your job.”

His father chuckled. “You two have always had a special bond. It would mean so much to all of us.”

“Mum included?”

“Yes. Your mother included,” his father said forcefully. “Is there no way you can find it in your heart to even take a step toward her?”

Aron placed the food down on the kitchen counter. “Why now? Don’t tell me she’s been overwhelmed with family love because of the wedding.”

“I think you should ask her that. At least talk to her. Just the two of you.”

It was too much to ask. There were so many nights where he’d cried himself to sleep for him to be able to even hope. No, they were in a place now where they weren’t hurling insults as soon as they set eyes on each other. That was the progress that his father would have to settle for.

“I can’t,” he said firmly. “It hurt too much. I won’t make a scene today but I’ll be returning to New York soon. I’ve had enough drama this week to last the whole of next year. I can’t risk it, I’m afraid.”

“That makes me sad,” his father replied. “For what it’s worth, I believe she is genuine.”

Aron despised himself but he was at his limit.

“Then she will be genuine another time. Let me think about it.”