The Thorn Of A Rose

Chapter Three

"Are you okay?" Cora asks as the cheers erupt.

I gulp. I haven't yet asked myself the question. It's unexpected. An ex getting engaged is a hard pill to swallow regardless of whether you sill love them or not. I don't still love him, I know that for certain but it doesn't stop me from almost falling off my chair with shock.

"That's unbelievable" I say, laughing.

I've had a minute to think about it, I know how I feel and truthfully, I'm relieved. Yes, I saw myself in Penny's shoes a few years ago but now I'm glad that I passed them shoes onto her. They're a cursed pair of shoes and all I can do is wish them luck.

"What's the best thing for me to do here?" I ask her. Do I congratulate the happy couple or sit back for a bit? Aaron looks back at me from the table in front, his smile wry. I smile at him, wiping away any shock that may be mistaken for sadness.

"Clap" Cora instructs. We both stand and begin clapping, joining in with those around us.

I'm clapping but I can't actually feel my hands smacking together, I'm still numb.

"I'll congratulate them later" I say "Now would be a bit too weird" I say. Plus, I need a little more wine to give me the courage to approach them two.

A figure is soon beside me, the space that Fleur, a 35 year old single mum had been in prior to the bouquet throwing.

"Well, I for one am surprised that my step-sister has allowed someone to steal her thunder for the day" That voice. I hadn't noticed him moving towards me and he's creepedup from behind me, stealthy. I had been too frozen to notice any movement that wasn't Penny or Sam's.

I smirk up at him "Makes her look even better, actually"

He nods "Of course, it'll be spoken about for years and talked about forever by the newly engaged couple"

I snort "They won't be together forever"

He frowns down at me. He's took his blazer off and his slim fitted shirt is showing his bulging muscles off, making me even more attracted to him. "How do you know that?"

"Because I was with him for three years, she's been with him for one."

His face is suddenly masked with an emotion that I can't quite put my finger on. "So, you're the ex he's been talking about?"

I look up at him, my head snapping in his direction quickly, almost giving me whiplash. "He's been talking about me?" The thought makes me feel sick.

He clears his throat "Excuse me" He walks away, taking himself towards the toilets. I think any thought of sleeping with him again tonight has just ran away, almost as quick as him.

"That was weird" Cora says with a frown on her face.

I look at her with the same expression "So he's been talking about me" I conclude.

"Yeah" Cora confirms "But he had no idea you were the ex, if he'd talked about you too then I'm sure Sam would have made him aware that you're the ex he's talking about."

I exhale loudly "It's all very confusing." I pick the empty glass on the table up "I'm out of wine, refill?" I ask her.

She nods. The bottles on the table are now empty so we head for the bar which is also free, the only good thing about this wedding. The DJ begins playing music and people have already began dancing.

"Just to let you know, if you get engaged at my wedding I'll be killing you" Cora informs me, causing me to laugh.

"Don't worry, I won't be attending another wedding after today"