Chapter 1
Natalie's POV:
"That's enough. Stop sulking in front of everyone."
Colin Barrett held his glass in one hand and gripped my arm with the other. His fingers dug painfully into my wrist through the sheer fabric of my wedding gown.
I lowered my eyes to the glass in his hand. I'd spent a month working with an artisan to have that toasting glass made. Our initials were engraved on the side, and a dark red ribbon wound around the handle. It was supposed to be for our wedding toasts.
Now it was full of pungent vodka. He'd just been using it to drink on Vanessa Sutton's behalf.
"Vanessa's relatives are getting a little carried away. I'm just helping her handle them," Colin told me in a low, lecturing voice, as though he had every right to scold me. "Go back and look after your uncle and the others. Be reasonable."
I didn't pull free of his grip or try to take the glass from him. I simply turned and picked up a plain, clear glass from a nearby server's tray. Then I lifted the pitcher beside it and poured myself some water.
"What's the water for?"
Colin frowned, apparently puzzled. I ignored him and looked past his shoulder at the tables in the main hall.
Steam rose from platters of baked grouper, poached shrimp, and sautéed vegetables, and bowls of chicken soup. There wasn't a single one of the spicy dishes I loved.
When we'd chosen the menu, we'd been sitting in a private dining room at the hotel. I'd pointed to the spicy beef stew and spicy fried chicken and told him those were my must-haves. Colin had turned to the page of milder dishes instead.
"We're both having our receptions here, and Vanessa has a lot of relatives coming. Milder food will suit everyone better."
He'd crossed out my choices with his pen. His tone had been gentle, but he'd left no room for argument.
"Just compromise this once. What matters is making sure our guests enjoy the meal."
I'd looked at him and swallowed my objection. He'd said a wedding was about two families, that I needed to think of everyone else. Apparently, everyone else didn't include me.
"Natalie, I'm so sorry."
I hadn't noticed Vanessa approaching. She wore a champagne gold reception dress and held a glass of juice, her eyes slightly red.
"Colin was just worried I couldn't handle all this. Please don't be angry with him."
She spoke softly, but just loudly enough for the neighboring tables to hear. It was neatly done. She'd apologized while making sure everyone knew how much special attention Colin gave her. If I got angry, I'd be the one making a fuss, picking on poor, helpless Vanessa.
Looking at that pitiful expression, I suddenly wanted to laugh.
Colin released my wrist and turned to her.
"It's fine. She's not angry."
He looked back at me, his eyes urging me to get moving.
"Go back to the main hall. If your uncle or anyone asks, tell them I'm helping out over here."
He wouldn't even bother making his own excuses. He expected me, the bride, to cover for my absent groom.
"I'll come back and sit with you once we're done with this table," he added, as though he were granting me some enormous favor.
I held my glass, its cool surface pressing against my fingertips. I neither nodded nor shook my head.
Instead, I turned toward Simon Alden, who had been sitting silently in his chair. He was Vanessa's groom. Ever since Colin had sat down to drink for her, Simon had remained quiet, as though he were a stranger at his own wedding.
I reached out and gently tapped my glass against the one in front of him. They met with a soft clink.
"Since they're busy, why don't we get on with our own toasts?"
Simon looked up, his gaze moving between Colin and me. He didn't ask questions or look embarrassed. He simply lifted his glass, tipped back his head, and drained it.
