Too Good To Be True?

Chapter 14 Ⅲ

I clapped along politely after all the speeches had been made, my frozen heart warmed slightly as I watched the newly wedded couple sitting at the front of the room. Beth was wiping away tears as her dad finished speaking and she laughed as he walked up to her table, taking her hand for the father-daughter dance.

“Alright mate, you gotta help me out here,” James said, leaning forward so he could talk to Ash on the other side of me. “Which bridesmaid should I ask to dance first? The saucy blonde, or the flirty brunette?” He raised his eyebrows suggestively as he gestured to them with his head and Ash glanced over, but I knew by the smile playing on his lips that he was only looking at Amy. 

“What ever happened to that girl from this summer?” he teased, his eyes finally prying away from his girlfriend. 

James scowled and looked away, “I dunno what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, come on, you know the one. The girl from the picnic. What was her name again? Trisha? Tracy? Tina?”

“Tia…” James muttered, his shoulders drooping ever so slightly. He shook his head and waved off Ash’s smug look, defending, “We were just friends, you’re delusional. I didn’t even talk to her after that picnic.”

“Mmhmm,” Ash mused, already focused on his black-haired beauty once more. “Whatever you say, mate.”

James sighed, giving up on the lost cause that was Ash and turning to the other groomsmen at the table, knowing that I wouldn’t have had any input if he’d asked me.

I saw Ash pick up his flute of champagne and tilt it towards Amy, the two pretending to clink their glasses as her beautiful smile shined through her laugh before Netty stole her attention again.

I slid my phone out of my pocket and looked down at the screen for the thirty-seventh time since the reception started. I sighed as I stared at the photo on my lockscreen, watching Angel kiss my cheek, feeling her lips on my skin, praying for her name to pop up somewhere. A text, a call, anything. I was desperate.

The image suddenly disappeared from my view and my head snapped up, seeing my phone now the hands of mister lovesick next to me.

“Ash, give me my phone,” I complained, reaching out to grab it but to no avail.

“Nuh uh uh, I don’t think so,” he sang, pushing my hand away as I swiped at it once more. 

I huffed, glowering at him. “Ash, this isn’t funny.”

“No, what isn’t funny is you sitting here moping around on the happiest day of your best friend’s life. You are going to have fun at this party and I am going to make sure of it.”

“I’m really not in the mood to party.”

I opened my mouth to protest as he put my phone in his front pocket but he cut me off. “You are just going to be miserable if you keep reminding yourself that she’s not here, so focus on the people who are here.”

“But what if Angel calls?” I asked, my heart racing like an addict without his usual dose as I thought of the possibility of missing her call.

He muttered something under his breath but slipped the phone out again, pressing the buttons on the side. “There, I put it on vibrate. If she calls, I’ll give it back right away. Deal?”

I stared at the device in his hand, contemplating his offer. My gut was telling me to take it back, to never let it out of my sight, but then I caught a glimpse of Bethany’s white dress gliding across the dance floor. I watched as Joe swayed with her, felt a twinge of pride as I saw the smile on his face grow as he twirled her around and around. Two of the most important people in my life were celebrating a wonderful achievement and here I was making it all about me, as usual. What would Angel say if she found out what a terrible friend I’d been while she was gone?