The Art of Loving

[43] Taking a Risk

"Okay, so... I have a friend, actually he was Roger's friend first, anyway, we're also friends now. And ... he's getting married in September and... I would ... I mean, would you like to be my date for the wedding?" he asked, his voice getting quieter. "That was why I asked. I wasn't sure if I should ask you if you don't like weddings because I don't want to make you do things you don't want to do. So .. you don't have to go, Ellie. I'd understand."

Ellie smiled at him and reached for his hand. "You are so sweet, Brian..." He really was, and she was relieved she was finally seeing that. "No matter what I think of weddings, if you want me to come with you, I would, because it's important to you. And I will, because I'm your girlfriend, and because I don't mind going to weddings and I like doing fun things with you. What's better than seeing you all dressed up in a suit, looking wonderfully handsome?"

"You'd come with me even if you didn't enjoy going to weddings?"

"I would enjoy it because doing things with you is usually fun. But on top of that, I do enjoy weddings. It's sweet, dressing up is fun... don't worry. I'd love to be your date to the wedding of your friend. What's his name?"

"He's called George, and his soon-to-be wife is called Mary, they're a lovely couple. The wedding is in Cornwall on September 19th, does that work for you? I was supposed to reply a while ago but ... I told them I was ... well, still working on this with you, but that I'm optimistic."

Ellie chuckled. "That's good. You were right. I think that date works for me, but I'll check once we get back home. That will be fun, another roadtrip with you. I'm already looking forward."

"I'm glad...," Brian said before he softly kissed her cheek.

"I hope I'm not too bad a girlfriend, Bri..," Ellie said quietly, keeping her eyes on the street.

"Ellie, you are learning to be a wonderful girlfriend," Brian assured her. "Don't worry about those things, okay?"

"Okay. I'll try. Thank you, I appreciate you a lot," she told him. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure," Brian said, looking at her surprised. "What is it?"

"I'm just curious about what Henry talked to you about... twice. You looked pretty intimidated last night when I came back from the bathroom, you know? I'm worried about you, I don't want him to hurt you or something like that..."

Brian was quiet for a moment. "He didn't hurt me, Ellie. He... he just warned me."

"About what?" She asked curiously.

"About hurting you or cheating on you... he basically said that if I ever plan to have children I should make sure I treat you well or else... well, certain body parts might be in danger," he said quietly. "He warned me that if I ever treat you anything like Daniel treated you I should stay out of Scotland for the rest of my life."

Ellie had to smile a little. "That does sound like him, yeah," she said quietly. "But you know, don't take that too seriously. He likes you, otherwise he wouldn't talk to you. And he certainly wouldn't have let me drive through the country alone with you in his van. He knows you're a good guy, but he also knows that what happened with Daniel was really hard for me and he wants to make sure you're not planning something like that. He's a great older brother, but he'd never hurt you - unless you mess up of course. But since that won't happen you don't have to be scared."

Brian hummed a little, not seeming convinced.

"Don't let him intimidate you. I brought you here. That should tell Henry how much I trust you already. He knows how sceptical I've been since Daniel, so the fact that I bring you home should prove to him how different you are - different in a good way. If you were anything like Daniel, you wouldn't be here. He knows that," Ellie told him. "I think he's just excited that he got an opportunity to flaunt his big brother status."