Zac takes one look at me and calls in sick, insisting that he will accompany me to the clinic. We don’t speak much—that would require more breath in my lungs than I have to give—but his comforting presence gets me through both tests without falling apart.
Doctor Ellison promises to call as soon as she has the results, but given that won’t happen until at least Monday, I can enjoy a couple more days of ignorant bliss.No news is good news.
The silky, open-backed dress I picked out for Ross’s wedding clings to me like a second skin, rippling when I walk and making me appreciate all my recent toning efforts at the women’s gym Lola told me about near work.
I planned to wear my hair out and sleeked down, but my damn straightener has chosen today of all days not to heat up. I fidget with it for a bit before unplugging it with a huff and carrying it into Zac’s bathroom.
‘Do you have time to see why this might not be working?’ I ask him.
He spins around with his tie half-fastened, and my breath snags in my throat. My eyes plummet to the navy-blue slacks hugging his muscular legs before gliding up to take in his crisp white shirt, and landing on the dark hair he’s swept up into a stylish wave of curls.
It’s not fair. He looks too good.
Heat fizzes in my chest as I feel his eyes slide over me the same way before his brow pinches as he reaches for the hair straightener. ‘What’s wrong with it?’
‘It won’t heat up.’
He spins around to plug it into the wall socket, andoh my god, that ass in those pants is positively lethal.
‘It’s probably the wiring,’ he mutters after clicking the device a few times. I snap myself out of my stupor and trail him into the kitchen. A couple of minutes later, he’s got the hair straightener pulled apart on the counter and is fiddling with the wires like a sexy bomb disposal expert in a three-piece suit. He must’ve learned how to do this from his dad.
‘You look nice,’ Zac says without looking at me.
‘Thank you.’ I shamelessly lean over the counter until my dress drapes slightly lower. ‘So do you. I love your suit.’
‘Thanks.’ His eyes find mine and linger there for several breath-stealing seconds before he screws the straightener back together and hands it to me. ‘Try that.’
His fingertips graze mine, and my heart rate doubles. For the zillionth time, I remind myself that not only is Zac mybest friend, but as far as I know he’s still dating Meghan, although she’s evidently not coming to the wedding. I want to ask him why, but the thought of a giddy look overcoming his face at the mention of her name scares me off the idea.
Ross and Holly have booked out a French-inspired vineyard in the Hunter Valley wine region, and becauseZac’s got a poorly timed shift tomorrow, he’s decided to drive. At first, I was disappointed that we couldn’t get tipsy and giggly together, but now that he’s wrapped up like a birthday present in that fancy suit, and my silky dress is making me feel more naked than if I was actually wearing nothing at all, I decide it’s safer if we both stay somewhat sober.
An hour after leaving Hamilton, we’re standing beneath a rustic, lavender-lined terrace that leads to a walkway of olive trees, where an elegant woman clutching a clipboard is directing wedding guests. She sends Zac off to join the wedding party for pre-ceremony photos, and I meander into a courtyard garden dotted with urns and fountains. I sip on a flute of champagne and introduce myself to a few of Ross’s extended family members, who kindly invite me to sit with them for the ceremony.
Clipboard-woman asks us to take our seats, and we all shuffle over to a cluster of white chairs facing a sunlit field of grapevines. Zac and Ross stand murmuring to each other beside a cedar arbour draped in chiffon that dances lightly on the breeze. When Zac’s eyes move to mine and his chin dips like a question, I pass him a look that saysI’m doing fineand press my hand to my chest to addIsn’t this all so beautiful?
He smiles, his eyes sparkling warmly, and my heart trips over itself.
The ceremony is brief but lovely, and an outdoor reception follows beneath a canopy of vintage lightbulbs,with plenty of standing gas heaters to stave off the evening chill. With Zac seated up at the head table, I’ve been put beside Holly’s hilarious high school friends, who crack me up while we devour shared plates of barbecued king prawns, Moroccan-style chicken and slow-roasted lamb.
I dig my fork into a cube of Belgian dark chocolate cake while Zac has the whole room in stitches with his best man speech, his tie loosened and his shirtsleeves rolled up. He sits back down at the wedding party table, and I catch myself in a doting stare, before replacing it with something a little lessI’m imagining my best friend naked right now.
After the dessert plates are cleared, the song ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’ by Frankie Valli seeps into the air as Ross and Holly saunter onto the dance floor to cheers and whistles. They fold their arms around each other, and I turn a little misty-eyed as the beautiful lyrics curl up in my ears.
Holly stumbles over Ross’s feet and he steadies her, sending a ripple of adoring laughter through the crowd. My eyes flicker to Zac, whose gaze catches mine and holds on. My cheeks burn as he glances away then back at me, his eyes glimmering in the low light.
The song speeds up and Ross and Holly detach and scatter to grab their parents, opening up the dance floor. The girls I’m sitting with jump up and tug at my fingers, but I tell them I’m good.My heart’s beating fast enough as it is.
The seat beside mine is empty for all of ten seconds before a tall body slides into it. ‘Having fun?’ Zac asks me, his dimpled smile setting my heart on fire.
I gulp rosé. ‘So much it should be illegal. Ross and Holly are the cutest. And your speech was hysterical.’
A contrary chuckle flees his throat. ‘Thank you.’
His fingertips make little drum rolls on the table as we watch the guests dance, my body acutely aware of how closely his arm is resting to mine.
The sexy opening melody of ‘Cream’ by Prince kicks in, and I almost jump out of my seat. ‘Oh my god, Ilovethis song.’
‘It’s so underrated,’ Zac agrees. He gets up and stretches out a hand, his brows raised.
