Changing the subject to something more cheerful, and I loved the way my sister absolutely lit up in excitement. I hadn’t told her what it was, exactly, but that was the fun of it, a surprise. All she knew was that I was making it, and I took another, more leisurely sip of my wine.
“Nicole, can I talk to you really quick?” Twisting to find Tom standing behind me, I nodded hastily before standing up, and my sister’s warning blared in my ears. Maybe I should ask him if he likes me or the idea of being in a relationship. Draining the rest of my wine to gather my courage, I followed Tom out of the event hall and into the lobby of the lodge.
“What’s up?” He whipped around to scowl darkly at me, and surprise launched my heart into my throat.
“The fuck, Nicole! How could you let her embarrass me like that?” Hissing furiously, Tom tinged red around his ears, and his eyes flashed brightly. The hairs on the back of my neck bristled, and he grabbed my wrist tightly when I tried to step back. Goosebumps blanketed up my arm, and I sucked in a sharp breath. Instantly, he realized he’d crossed a line and released me, and my skin burned even as he ran a hand through his thick, brunette curls roughly. “Look, okay, I know you have reservations, Nicole, but like I said, my parents were engaged for six years, and there’s absolutely no reason not to take advantage of the occasion. All your family will be there, and it’ll be fine.”
“I’m gonna tell you one time, and one time only.” The wine in me stiffened my spine some, and I took my turn to shove my hand in Tom’s face. His eyes widened, and I pushed him back as the urge to slap him tingled my palm. “I said ‘no.’ I’m not saying it again. I’m this close, this close to kicking you out of the wedding and breaking up with you and leaving you stranded here, Tom. Don’t push me.”
“Nicole, you wouldn’t do that.” Flames licked up my neck and cheeks as Tom dismissed me with a wave of his hand. He smirked bemusedly, a light dancing in his eyes as they met mine. “I promise, it’ll be fine. It’ll be fine!”
Taking my hand, Tom tugged gingerly, and I gave up trying to reason with him like a sane person. I gave up hoping he wouldn’t make a fool of himself and me. I told my sister, everyone knows. He wouldn’t dare risk being humiliated in front of everyone tomorrow.
Hopefully.
Chapter Five
Nicole
My stomach churned, my anxiety threatening to crawl up my throat and making it impossible to even look at the gorgeous, expensive plate of food in front of me. Instead of something traditional, my sister and her new husband opted to have Indian food at their wedding. I wasn’t sure what made it unappetizing to me, not knowing the amount of spices or the pressure I was under.
I couldn’t breathe under the stress looming over me, and my dress clung to me awkwardly from the cold sweat that permeated the fabric. Glancing around dartingly, I clenched my jaw when I saw Tom hanging out with my cousin by the open bar.
“I hate myself.” Muttering sluggishly, I cupped my cheeks to smack them lightly and sucked in a wheeze of a breath. Shaking my head furiously, I grabbed my glass of wine to drain it. I was at a wedding, anyway. It was acceptable for me to drink a bit more than usual. My gaze slid to my sister, table elevated on the dais, as she and her handsome new husband fed each other and glowed happily.
“No more worrying about Tom. This is Jackie’s day.” Even as I mumbled to myself, my stomach twisted, and I gulped down the rest of my wine. I need some bread, carbs always make everyone feel better, so I was sure it would make me feel better too.
Through my tunnel vision, I saw a breadbasket that had a few rolls on the table next to mine. My parents had abandoned it. I stood, my weak legs wobbling with dread, and shuffled over to grab two of them and a few packets of butter. Throwing myself back in my chair, even that short distance drained my energy, and my hand shook as I opened the plastic cup.
“Nicole . . .” Tensing at the voice, I glanced up as my dad put his hands on the back of my chair with a warm, comforting smile. “Need some help?”
“I think I need a good therapist,” My dad’s eyes crinkled around the sides as he sat next to me, taking the butter from my cold, clammy fingers. I sighed shortly, shakily, and flexed my hands while his mere presence gave me something solid to grapple onto. “Why doesn’t anyone ever listen to me, Dad? Am I not assertive enough or something?”
“You’re a light in the darkness, baby girl. Always have been. Unfortunately, that means you attract people that want to steal it. I know it’s not the time, but I distinctly remember telling you not to invite Tom.” I scowled slightly as my dad grabbed a bun and gingerly cut it open, but I nodded anyway. My gaze slid back to my ‘date’, and I picked at my nails on the table as Tom and my cousin talked animatedly about something. “I’m not going to rub your nose in it, baby girl. Learn from this kinda thing. And don’t date tools.”
“Dad . . .” Groaning softly, I nudged my dad with my elbow, and he smirked despite the seriousness
