Strangers in the Storm ✔

Chapter 34: Stubborn Hope

DAMIEN

Damien failed to keep his legs in control and they moved towards her all on their own. But once she finally looked at him, he couldn't keep away. He had to talk to her, just once, just to see how she was doing.

A million thoughts stormed through his mind during that short walk. Was she happy? Did she remember him? Did she come here alone?

For ten months, he had hoped someone would tell him anything about her, but he didn't want to ask. He promised her he wouldn't try to reach out and he hasn't. Brenda accidentally told him she was going out with Roxanne after her date, which meant she was dating again. Damien tried to convince himself he was happy for her. He really tried.

But she came here alone.

"Hi." His tongue interrupted his thoughts.

Roxanne smiled and lifted up the glass of champagne, using it as a shield, "Hi."

Damien swallowed the beating heart in his throat as his brain desperately searched for a way to make this less awkward. The longer they stared at each other, the harder the right words were to find, especially once his gaze involuntarily ran across her outfit; the flowy hem touching her bare legs, the small tear-shaped red necklace sitting comfortably just above her cleavage and the breeze in her hair.

Damien exhaled in defeat and offered a hand, "I'm Damien."

"Oh." Roxanne raised her eyebrow, a chuckle of relief falling off her lips, "I thought I knew everyone here. Are you on the groom's side?"

Damien laughed, "I'm the best man."

"And I'm the maid of honour." Roxanne took his hand, sending his mind down a spiral of memories. "I'm Roxanne."

Damien held her hand for a bit too long, "Nice to meet you-"

"Damien! We need you!" Mona shouted.

Roxanne chuckled while he inhaled a sharp breath, "Looks like there's more grandmas not sure where to sit."

"Excuse me." Damien smiled, the smile swiftly turning upside down as he faced Mona, "What?"

His best friend stormed through the crowd, grabbed his sleeve and pulled him closer, "Andre's dad wants to hold a speech. Andre specifically said no speeches. Why?"

"Uh," Damien chuckled, "He specifically told me I shouldn't hold a speech. He said I had too many bad stories about him. I said it would be a blast if I shared one or two. He almost found another best man."

"Okay, so his dad can hold a speech?" Mona asked.

"Tell Andre I promise to keep my mouth shut." Damien stopped. "Maybe he allows his dad to speak."

Mona raised her eyebrow, a knowing smile dancing on her lips, "Do you want to get rid of me now so you can go talk to your crush again?"

"Yes, please." Damien nodded absentmindedly, his gaze flying across the garden to where Roxanne still stood, chatting with Addison.

Mona tilted her head, her eyebrow pulling her entire forehead up, "Do you want me to put in a good word for you?"

Damien looked at Mona, "Call me when you need me, okay?"

"You better be here when the cake arrives!"

Damien was already walking back to Roxanne. Now that he's talked to her once, he just wanted the conversation to keep going. He would ask all the questions, no matter how scared he was of the answers. Addison shut up the moment he approached them and excused herself with a small polite smile.