‘Was I good or was I good?’ Ryan asked with a smirk as he sat down next to her.
‘Oh, you’re always good, aren’t you?’ Sarah spoke quietly, not wanting to bring attention to them.
Ryan sat down with a frown. ‘What’s up?’
‘I’ve just had enough of you.’
‘Give me a break.’ Ryan reached for a half full glass of wine that had been left on the table and took a sip. ‘I’ve only just sat down.’
‘I mean it, Ryan,’ Sarah hissed. ‘I want you to leave. I want you out of the house.’
Ryan was about to take another sip, but stopped, glass in mid-air.
‘I know about Jess.’ Sarah watched the colour drain from his face. ‘I know that it isn’t your baby – thank the lord – but it still doesn’t excuse the fact that you slept with her.’
‘I—’
‘Don’t you dare think of lying!’ She held up her hand.
Ryan gulped. ‘But it was only the once or twice!’
Sarah laughed inwardly at his choice of words, exactly the same as Jess had chosen earlier. She still didn’t want to know exactly how many times it had been. Because, sitting here with him, Sarah realised that she wasn’t actually concerned.
‘It’s over now anyway,’ Ryan added.
‘I don’t care!’ Sarah took the glass from him and knocked back the rest of the wine. She placed the glass down onto the table and stood up. Not wanting to make a scene, her tone was quiet but forceful. ‘I want you out of the house by next weekend.’
‘Wait!’ Ryan grabbed her hand as she began to walk away. ‘Please. I can explain.’
‘No!’ Sarah snatched it away. ‘I don’t want to play happy families anymore. It’s too late.’
‘Sarah!’
But Sarah didn’t stop.
Around seven thirty, the music started up and as evening guests began to filter in, Nicci and Jay took to the floor for their first dance as a married couple. To the sounds of ‘Thinking out Loud’, by Ed Sheeran, people clapped, oohed and aahed and took more photos. It was a magical moment for everyone involved in the day.
Over at her table, Sam sat with Reece, grinning like a madwoman. She glanced around the room to see all the people she worked with, the ones who had made this day possible. Geoff Adams was chatting to Malcolm. Melissa was over at the bar with Clara, laughing at something that Duncan, the delivery man, was telling them. Marilyn stood with Sally from Cupcake Delights, waiting to dance. All in all, it had been perfect.
Louise came over and sat down.
‘Why can’t I have that?’ She sighed, pointing at the bride and groom as they smooched in the middle of the floor with their friends and family surrounding them. By this point, several other couples had taken to the floor too.
‘Marriage isn’t all it’s cracked up to be,’ said Reece. Then he glanced at Sam guiltily. ‘I didn’t mean to say that out loud.’
Despite his insinuation, Sam grinned. Before she had time to come back with something jokey, Matt raced over, grabbed Louise’s hand and led her onto the dance floor. Sam realised this might be the right time to let Reece know how she felt.
‘It’s not working for you, is it?’ she asked.
Reece shook his head. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘Don’t be. It’s not working for me either.’ She smiled, for the first time ever feeling shy around her husband. They sat in silence why they each digested the other’s words.
Reece reached for her hand finally and gave it a quick squeeze.
‘Will you be going back to Sheffield?’ Sam asked.
‘Is that all right with you?’
She nodded. ‘When were you planning on leaving?’
‘In the morning. Is it okay if I stay one more night?’
‘Well, I’m hardly likely to kick you out right now.’
Reece leant across and ever so tenderly kissed her on the lips. ‘I’ll miss you,’ he said.
‘No,’ Sam smiled through her tears. ‘No, you won’t.’
Matt twirled Louise around in his arms as they made their way to the makeshift dance floor.
Louise threw her head back and laughed. ‘I take it you want to dance, Mister.’
‘Mmm – hmm.’
‘Just the one dance?’
Matt shook his head.
‘Two?’
He shook his head again.
‘More than two?’
A nod this time.
‘I’m not sure my feet will take much more. These heels are killing me.’
‘Then let me sweep you off your feet.’
‘Ooh, get you, you smooth talker,’ she teased.
With a nod of his head at the DJ, the music changed to a slower pace and Matt cleared his throat. ‘Maybe it’s time I just came out with what I really want to say.’
Louise frowned. ‘I thought you just did.’
‘I want to ask you something.’
‘I’m not covering for you on the stall while you swan off somewhere on holiday, if that’s what you’re after. You know I need to stay in Sam’s good books. I’ve caused her enough trouble lately and –’
‘Can you just shut up for one minute?’ he whispered into her ear. Before she could protest, Matt silenced her with a kiss. Louise resisted at first, mainly out of surprise, and then melted into his embrace.
Once they stopped, Matt reached into his waistcoat pocket and pulled out a small, black box.
Louise’s eyes widened as she flipped it open to reveal a band of gold with a collection of stones.
‘Louise Pellington, I think I’ve wasted far too much time just being your friend when I really want more. And I know there’d normally be a long time while we went out with each other before getting into a serious relationship. But I want to be a permanent part of your life right now. I love you so much. I want to wake up with you. I want to fall asleep with you. Hell, you need someone to keep you on the straight and narrow. And I want – I want ... Louise, will you marry me?’
Louise’s mouth gaped open. Did Matt just ...?
The music went lower still and everyone’s eyes were on her. Matt dropped to his knees, right there in the middle of the dance floor.
‘Will you marry me?’ he repeated.
‘Ohmigod!’ Louise squealed.
‘That’s not the answer I was looking for.’ But Matt was smiling.
‘Yes!’ Louise pulled him to standing and flung her arms around his neck. ‘Yes! Yes! One hundred billion trillion times, yes, I will marry you!’
The room broke out into applause. Louise and Matt grinned at each other like two five year olds sharing a secret. Then there was no time for grinning as Matt kissed her again. She vaguely recalled someone shouting ‘get a room’ before they stopped.
Giddy by the euphoria of her proposal, Louise searched Charley out with her eyes. She was by the side of the dance floor with Sophie, waving at them. Louise beckoned her over and she ran into her arms.
‘I was waiting for you to finish with the necking first,’ Charley shrieked, hugging her tightly. ‘I can’t believe it! After all this time, you’re getting married.’
Louise feigned hurt. ‘Didn’t you think anyone would have your old mum?’
‘I mean that I can’t believe after all this time you two have finally got together.’ Charley gave Matt a hug too.
‘You knew how I felt about him?’ said Louise.
‘Mum, everyone knew how you felt about him and everyone knew how he felt about you.’
‘Really?’
Charley nodded fervently. ‘Does this mean that I get to be bridesmaid again? Because if it does, please let me pick my own dress. I don’t want to look like an overgrown fairy at your wedding.’
Louise grinned and they hugged. Behind Charley, she spotted Sam. She was holding out her arms. Louise rushed into them. They hugged each other tightly, tears pouring down their faces.
‘Can you believe he proposed to me?’ Louise spoke finally, wiping at her eyes.
‘He
should have done it years ago,’ Sam told her. ‘I’ve always thought you were made for each other. But you wouldn’t listen to anyone.’
‘I know, I know, I’m a bolshie cow. It’s definitely where Charley gets her stubborn streak from.’
‘Oh, I don’t know so much. I think she takes after her father for that.’
Louise grinned. Sam wouldn’t have brought Martin into the conversation unless she had forgiven her.
They embraced again.
‘So that’s the last time I have to save you from the clutches of Rob Masters, then?’ Sam added.
‘Oi, you cheeky cat.’
‘You’re supposed to say thank you!’
Louise glanced over her shoulder to where Matt was being congratulated by her mum and dad. ‘Thank you,’ she smiled. ‘Not just for that, but for everything. For being here for me, for putting up with me, for standing by me through thick and thin. I don’t know what I would have done without you.’
‘It’s been a pleasure – well, most of it.’ Sam grinned too. ‘And, anyway, that’s what friends are for.’
Letter from Marcie
First of all, I want to say a huge thank you for choosing to read That’s What Friends Are For. I hope you enjoyed getting to know the characters as well as I did. I had so much fun writing it. In my next book, Broken Heels, you’ll hear from more characters who live in the fictional city of Hedworth. I hope you’ll continue to enjoy getting to know them too.
Many thanks to anyone who has emailed me, messaged me, chatted to me on Facebook or Twitter and told me how much you’ve enjoyed reading my books. I’ve been genuinely blown away with all kinds of niceness and support from you all. A writer’s job is a lonely one but I feel I truly have friends everywhere.
If you did enjoy That’s What Friends Are For, I would be forever grateful if you’d write a review. I’d love to hear what you think, and it can also help other readers discover one of my books for the first time. Or maybe you can recommend it to your friends and family…
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Love,
Marcie
@marcie_steele
MarcieSteeleauthor
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Stirred with Love by Marcie Steele
Sometimes the best friends can be found where you least expect them …
Still grieving after the loss of her beloved husband, Lily Mortimer is determined to do something with the time she has left.
After the end of her fairytale marriage, thirty-something Kate is trying hard to mend her broken heart.
Chloe, a young woman with the world at her feet, is struggling to know what to do with her life.
When Lily embarks on a new venture in the picturesque town of Somerley, the three women come together to open The Coffee Stop, the most charming café for miles around.
But opening a coffee shop is never as simple as it seems, especially when you add neighbouring competition, local heart throbs and heartbreak to the mix.
When tragedy strikes, can the three women pull together to make the new business fly, or will Lily’s last chance disappear down the drain along with yesterday’s coffee grinds?
STIRRED WITH LOVE
Available now!
Books by Mel Sherratt
(aka Marcie Steele)
1. SOMEWHERE TO HIDE
2. BEHIND A CLOSED DOOR
3. FIGHTING FOR SURVIVAL
4. WRITTEN IN THE SCARS
5. TAUNTING THE DEAD
6. FOLLOW THE LEADER
7. ONLY THE BRAVE
8. WATCHING OVER YOU
@writermels
MelSherrattauthor
www.melsherratt.co.uk
Published by Bookouture
An imprint of StoryFire Ltd. 23 Sussex Road, Ickenham, UB10 8PN. United Kingdom
www.bookouture.com
* * *
Copyright © Marcie Steele 2015
Marcie Steele has asserted her right to be identified as the author of this work.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publishers.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places and events other than those clearly in the public domain, are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
ISBN: 978-1-910751-62-6
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