Page 103 of Worth Every Moment

Kate shrugs. “I have no idea. Must be Nico’s side because I don’t recognise them.”

“You didn’t invite them?” Marie asks.

“I don’t think so,” Kate says.

“You think Nico’s dad brought someone you didn’t invite to your wedding?” Marie snarls. “That’s so rude. What an arsehole.”

“He does own the island,” Kate replies. “We have to allow him some leeway.”

“Gosh, she’s pretty,” Elly says, squinting at the young blonde woman, who’s wearing a short dress and heels. She looks vaguely familiar, but I can’t place her.

“Maybe Nico’s daddy has a new toy,” Marie drawls.

“Gross.” Kate elbows her and Marie rubs at the point of contact, grimacing as though it really hurt.

My heart is racing as the group reaches us. I want to linger out of the way, but I’m so much taller than most of the others that I stick out like a giraffe. Kate’s the only one whose height nears mine. Sometimes I really wish I was short. I can’t believe I’m meeting Seb’s parents for the first time like this; my hair damp and tied off my face, no makeup, and wearing a robe. I really wanted to make a good impression.

“Do you know Erica?” Kate says, introducing me to Seb’s father after she greets them all. The disdainful look he gives me grates against my spine, and all hope of making a good first impression disintegrates like a sandcastle against the wash of the waves. “She’s Seb’s—”

“Miss Lefroy.” The low growl of my name cuts her off and makes me internally shudder. Despite the heat of the sun, I feel chilled to the bone. Kate recoils, her eyes darting to Elly as if to say, ‘what’s going on?’

“Mr Hawkston,” I reply. “It’s a pleasure to—”

He turns away and introduces the newcomers to Kate. “This is Antonio Marchetti, and his daughter Diana. Last minute additions to the wedding party. I assume you’ll be able to accommodate them?”

“Of course. Absolutely,” Kate says, and if she’s annoyed that these people are effectively crashing her wedding, she doesn't show it. “When Nico comes back tomorrow, we’ll take a look at the table pl—”

“Good. It looks like we’ve caught you all at an inopportune moment,” he says, casting a deliberate glance over our robes.

“Oh, no,” Kate says. “We were just having some cocktails and treatments further down the beach.”

“Ah. Don’t let us disturb you. In fact, why not take Diana with you? We’ve had a long journey. I’m sure some spa treatments would be most welcome. Don’t you think, Diana?”

“A cocktail would be good,” Diana says cautiously, as if she knows you can’t disagree with Mr Hawkston, but is simultaneously aware that it puts Kate in an awkward position.

“Wonderful,” Mr Hawkston says. “You should get to know Kate and Aries. You’ll soon have a lot in common.”

Kate’s brow ruffles and Aries pouts her lips, but the confusion on both their faces is wiped in an instant as they welcome Diana with friendly smiles.

Mr Hawkston glances up at the sky, where dark clouds are gathering on the horizon. “Storm’s coming in. If the boys have any sense, they’ll head for land.” His voice is flat, devoid of any inflection that might suggest concern for his sons and their friends. Kate’s alarmed gaze turns to the sky and her cheeks pale, but Mr Hawkston has already shifted his attention to the Marchettis and his wife. He makes no effort to introduce her. Instead, he ushers her and Antonio Marchetti up to the main house, passing the rest of our group like we’re inconsequential.

“What a fucking arse,” Marie murmurs, rolling her eyes and letting her gaze rest on Kate when she adds, “Don’t envy you that for a father-in-law.”

“I hope he’s sitting next to your mother at the wedding,” Elly says to Kate. “Then they can be awful to each other all night long.”

Kate shoots Elly a disapproving look that melts away into a conspiratorial smile. There must be some history there I’m not aware of, reminding me again how I don’t really fit in here.

Marie turns to Diana. “How was it travelling with old Mr Hawkston?”

“Oh, fine. He mostly kept to himself. What about all of you? What were you doing before we interrupted you?”

“Facial massage,” Elly replies. “It’s so relax—”

“Erica was telling us about Seb’s pierced dick,” Marie jumps in. “Best thing I’ve heard all week. Apparently, he’s got a Jacob’s Ladder.”

Diana’s eyebrows shoot up. “No way. I’ve never slept with someone who has a pierced dick. Unless you count all the times I’ve masturbated over fictional characters who have them.”

An awkward silence descends.