Love's Final Act (Circus of Love Romances Book 3)

by S. Andrea Milne

  I attempted to stifle my instinctual sigh, but didn’t manage it, as Robert laughed.

  “Do your best to disguise your distain if someone gives you a bridal gift, love.”

  A sinking feeling hit me in the stomach. Was that what today was about? A bridal shower? Everyone had asked what I’d wanted to do on that front. Becca had texted every day for more than two weeks once we’d settled on the date, suggesting everything from an all-night, raging bar hop, to fancy, hat-wearing, garden party tea. I’d said no to everything, but I could have been lured into a trap after all.

  “They’re going to have coffee, maybe a few snacks. No games, or quizzes, or anything. Rachel will have kept Becca in-check.” Robert reached forward, and grabbed my hand, pulling it into his lap. “Your friends want to make a fuss. Let them, for a few hours. I should be back around one, as long as the weather doesn’t slow me down. My parents will be there for lunch, too.”

  “Okay.” I dug my fingertips into my scalp, as I closed my eyes and scratched. I could tolerate a little bit of fuss. “I’ll do my best. But if anyone gives me a toaster…or lingerie, I’m throwing it out into the snow.”

  Robert laughed again as he got to his feet. “I won’t blame you on the account of the toaster, but could you keep the lingerie, at least long enough for me to see you in it?”

  I grabbed a nearby resistance band and attempted to shoot it at my fiancé like an over-sized elastic band. “Only if you wear it first.”

  ∞∞∞

  After a standard breakfast of granola, fruit, and coffee, Robert dressed, then headed off to pick up his cousin. As he backed out of the driveway, a few flakes of snow floated gently through the air. Hopefully, it wouldn’t evolve into a full-on storm. The drive to Pine Tree was mostly secondary highways, not a priority when it came to plowing and salting in the winter. I watched out the window for much longer than I could see our car. Something like worry had crept into my gut. We’d been told the winters here could be brutal, both in terms of temperature and snow fall.

  Eventually, I un-rooted myself from my spot, and drifted back toward the living room, where I’d left my phone on the coffee table. I grabbed my cell and called up the weather app. It showed a modest accumulation of snow by the evening, around half an inch. That shouldn’t be enough to reduce visibility or make travel difficult. Still, that unsettled feeling continued to reside in my stomach as I moved on to the bathroom to prepare for, as it turned out, a bridal shower.

  If I’d been going over to help the Nicks vacuum and dust, or arrange chairs, I would have worn my typical sweats. As this seemed like the type of occasion where people were likely to take pictures, I thought I’d better put in a little more effort in getting dressed. After a hot shower, I combed my hair and brushed my teeth before I turned to the matter of clothing. My jeans from last night passed the sniff test, so on they went, but what to wear on top was a different matter. I searched through my wardrobe for almost twenty minutes before I located a long-forgotten sweater scrunched up in the back of my closet.

  It was pale blue, with little frills at the shoulder seams, and after shaking it out, it didn’t look too bad, so I pulled it over my head and smoothed it out. I shrugged at my reflection in the mirror on the back of the closet door. I didn’t do fancy, or even business-causal, whatever that meant. Satisfied enough, I slipped on my engagement ring, then for good measure, retrieved the brown jewelry box that contained the McAllisters’ gift. I hadn’t tried the pendant on yesterday. It had sat on the dining table all afternoon, forgotten between the hubbub of my run, the brief suggestion that we postpone everything, and the make-up sex.

  The pendant sat just below my collar bones. What a—potentially—travelling and performing aerialist needed with a fancy sapphire necklace, I didn’t know. I’d return it to the McAllisters after the wedding—assuming David and Ellen would accept it back from me.

  By the time I’d put myself together, I had a text from Lisa saying they’d pick me up in ten minutes, so I donned my coat, grabbed my scarf and mittens, and headed down the stairs to wait. I stood in the doorway, my nose pressed to the glass, watching the road for my friends. Flurries stirred through the air. They were big, fluffy flakes, floating around, as if they were too lazy to commit to which way they were falling. I crossed my fingers. Please don’t get any worse, please don’t turn into a blizzard.

  I waited a couple of minutes before a red compact car, with two figures in the front seat, pulled into the driveway. I dashed out the door, pulling it firmly shut behind me, then made my way down the front steps to my waiting friends.

  “Good morning, ladies,” I said as I dropped into the back seat, banging my boots together to knock away any excess snow, before swinging my feet inside. “How are you both?”

  Miranda and Lisa looked at each other, but neither spoke. From their side profiles, I couldn’t quite tell what kind of expressions they wore.

  “What, things didn’t work out with Devon and Mark last night?” I was half serious, half joking. They’d so evidently wanted action last night, and the flirting so thick at dinner, it had seemed inevitable.

  The uncomfortable pause continued. Damn. Guess my teasing was on the money?

  Miranda threw the car into park, as she swiveled in her seat to look at me. “Are you sure Simon left town?”

  I swallowed. Oh shit. “Well, no. I’m not sure. I’d thought our last words to each other had been pretty final, though. Why do you ask?”

  “I saw him at the hotel this morning.” Miranda pressed her lips into a firm line, her soft brown eyes searched my face, waiting for my response.

  “Oh.” My fingers were freezing, despite the fact I’d only been outside for thirty seconds, and the car heater was blasting. I squeezed my hands together to keep from fidgeting. “Maybe he had second thoughts about Emily and has come to win her back?” Except her family doesn’t live in Northboro.

  A look passed between all three of us this time, from Miranda to me, to me and Lisa, then back again. None of us seemed to believe what I’d said.

  “I don’t think he saw us,” Miranda continued. “We were in the lobby, on our way out, when we heard someone talking at concierge. Our backs were turned to each other, and when we realized who it was, we ran out of there.”

  Lisa nodded along but didn’t add to the narrative.

  I closed my eyes and covered my face with my mittened hands as I recalled our last conversation. I’d thought I’d gotten through to him. I thought he’d accepted that he had no chance with me. Yet he’d evidently called off his engagement to Emily. Last night I’d naively hoped that meant he was moving on with his life. Maybe not? I breathed slowly, sending the inhalation deep into my lungs, causing my chest to swell. Stay calm. Nothing about this situation would be improved by panicking.

  “…what do you want us to do about him?”

  My hands dropped into my lap. When I returned my focus to my friends, I realized Miranda was still looking at me, except her expression had grown fiery, just like Becca’s would, ready to plot revenge if needed.

  “N-nothing,” I said, as I glanced between my friends. “Don’t do anything. He said he wouldn’t interfere with me any further, I want to believe him. There could be other reasons why he’s still here that have nothing to do with me.”

  “Maybe he couldn’t make changes to his travel plans?” Lisa forced a smile onto her round face. “It’s the holidays. It costs a small fortune to rebook a flight right now.”

  I nodded. That sounded like a reasonable explanation and I was ready to latch onto it. “You’re right. As you said, it’s the holidays. Just avoid him if you can. The wedding’s tomorrow, and he’ll…probably…be gone soon anyway.”

  Miranda’s expression mirrored my feelings, but I couldn’t let doubt creep in. What could Simon do? Charge in during the ceremony at the point where the justice asks if anyone objects? Did that even happen in real weddings or just on television and in movies? Even if he did, he had no grounds to object
expect that he had feelings for me. Not the other way around.

  “Okay,” Miranda said, turning back to face the steering wheel, shifting the car into reverse. “It’s your call. If we see him, we’ll leave him alone.”

  Lisa smiled at me again, before she also turned to look out the front windshield. “It’ll all turn out fine.”

  Once the car reached the end of the drive, Miranda looked at me through the rear-view mirror. “Which way?”

  “Left, until you reach the stop light, then another left.” I jerked my head in the direction of the Nicks’ residence. “So, about last night?”

  Another glance passed between my friends, quicker, less meaningful than the last, at least it seemed that way as Miranda was now driving.

  “Oh, come on, you greet me with the news that Simon’s still in town, and now you won’t dish on the rest of your night?” I tried to keep my tone light and joking.

  “It was good,” Lisa said. It would have been nice if I could see her face and tell if she was blushing.

  I leaned back against my seat, turning my focus to watching the city streets pass by and provide accurate directions. “Okay. I’m glad it was good, at least. I hope there aren’t going to be too many tensions tonight at dinner, or tomorrow during the wedding.”

  “Okay, okay,” Miranda said in an exasperated tone that seemed more for dramatic effect, especially when a little giggle escaped her lips. “Our night—well, speaking for myself—was excellent. Do you want details or is this a sufficient admission?”

  I laughed. Some warmth and feeling were finally returning to my fingers, although the small and unpleasant sensation that I’d almost managed to forget about, was still lodged in my stomach. “No, I don’t need details. I’m glad you got what you were looking for last night. Keep going straight at the next stop sign, by the way.”

  Lisa twisted slightly in her seat as she looked over her shoulder at me. She had a huge smile stretched across her lips. “My night was very good also.”

  “Good,” I said. Lisa had somehow entangled herself in a relationship with my horrid brother, which she’d thankfully ended six months ago. She’d been focusing on rebuilding her life since then, and as far as I knew, hadn’t had any successful dating experiences. Not that a one-to-two-night stand counted as a relationship, but a no-strings-attached encounter might be good for her.

  ∞∞∞

  Ten minutes later we were standing on the front porch of the Nicks, waiting to be let in. I could hear shouts of ‘coming,’ and ‘just a minute’ from inside, followed by a great deal of scampering feet across the hard wood floors.

  “It’s just Becca,” I said, glancing at my friends. “She’s a bit,…exuberant, but she’s lovely. She’ll be offering you coffee and second breakfast before we even get our coats off.”

  As if on cue, the front door swung open to reveal both Nicks twins. They appeared with their chests heaving, but with smiles affixed to their identical faces.

  “Beth!”

  “Good morning—”

  Both twins spoke at once.

  The twin I knew to be Rachel by the sensible outfit of neatly fitting dark denim jeans, a simple cream tunic-style long-sleeve shirt and general calm demeanor, motioned us inside. “Come in, please, the temperature is definitely dropping.”

  “Can I take your coats? Hi, I’m Becca, by the way, I was in the circus with Beth. You both must be Beth’s friends from high school. So pleased you could both make it.” Becca fluttered around the vestibule in an outfit that she could only get away with because she didn’t have to leave the house, as she opened the closet, grabbed out hangers, and started shoving coats onto them.

  Each of my friends introduced themselves as they handed over their jackets, before we were ushered down the hall toward the open-concept kitchen and living area.

  “Surprise!” A chorus of voices rang together as I realized my friends had hung back so I would step out in front of them.

  Heat crept up along my neck and into my cheeks as I looked around the room. This was no small bridal shower coffee hour with a few friends. The Nicks house was full of other instructors and students from the High Flying Circus Club.

  “Oh,” I said. Robert had warned me, but only to barest of details. I turned to look at the women standing behind me. Becca was bouncing on the balls of her strappy summer sandals, while her sister gave me an apologetic sort of shrug. Miranda and Lisa, both gave me the sort of expression that seemed to say, ‘we hope you’re okay this.’

  As silence settled over the gathering, Dehlia stepped forward, one arm outstretched as she approached. “Our guest of honour. Come in, take a seat. Coffee and tea will be ready shortly.” She linked her arm through mine and guided me over to the large kitchen island. As we walked, she spoke quietly. “So many people asked, Beth, we felt we had to do something. No games or silliness, I promise.”

  “People asked about what?” We paused alongside the counter.

  “A party, Beth. Everyone wanted to throw a party for you, especially if you end up leaving us for Cirque Celestial—not that anyone would blame you for that.” Dehlia patted me on the shoulder, then motioned to her husband to bring a cup of coffee my way.

  Stephen, dressed as though he were a barista with a long white apron tied around his waist, placed a steaming cup topped with frothed milk on the counter next to me. “There you are, Beth. If you need another, just flag me down.” He beamed at me, then handed a second cup to his wife before approaching the next set of guests to take their orders.

  “Beth, I don’t want you to worry about us, if you’re offered a position with Cirque,” Dehlia continued. “It’s what every circus artist aspires to, so you should take the chance if you’re given it. Finding instructors is more of a pain in the ass than it is difficult, although a good handstands coach like Robert is more difficult to come by.”

  I shook my head. “You don’t need to worry there. Robert isn’t going to come with me—if—I’m offered a position. He’ll likely stay on as coach here.”

  The corners of Dehlia’s mouth dipped ever-so-slightly, but otherwise her expression remained neutral. Like her daughter Rachel, she was good at keeping her emotions under wraps. “Of course, if that’s what you think is best for the both of you.”

  “It’s what he’d prefer,” I said, forcing a smile onto my face. My bridal shower didn’t seem to be the right time to discuss how I could be spending the first several years of my married life separated from my husband. Even if Dehlia could completely understand what it was like.

  “Well.” Dehlia paused to sip her coffee. “I’m sure you’ll be able to work something out, and I admit I’m relieved to not have to replace Robert. The positive feedback I get from students about him, speaks to how good a coach he is.”

  No comment on if I’ll be missed as an instructor, not that I’d miss teaching—if I end up leaving.

  Dehlia then excused herself to circulate amongst her guests and allow other attendees the opportunity to speak to me. Once her back was turned, I surveyed the assembled crowd for a better look at exactly who had felt a party for me was essential. Indeed, nearly all of the coaches from the High Flying Circus Club, were in attendance. Amusingly, most of them were in leggings and sweatshirts. Many of my students were there as well, from both my beginner and advanced classes.

  Miranda and Lisa still stood where I left them, the only pair not familiar with the circus world, obviously feeling out of place at the party. I picked up my cup to weave my way over to my friends when a petite figure blocked my way. I groaned—inwardly—I hoped.

  “So, Beth.” Cass stood in front of me, that same friend I’d seen her with the other day at her side. I still couldn’t remember the friend’s name. “You’re auditioning for Cirque Celestial, I hear.”

  Breathe. Performance smile. “Yes, I am. In January.”

  “Is Robert auditioning, too?” The girl crossed her arms over her chest. Where was this conversation was headed? There was a certain acid
ity to her tone. Was she going to accuse me of something? When she’d last seen me, she’d witnessed Simon kissing me. Or did she merely want to find out if Robert was staying behind so she could continue to receive lessons from her favourite crush and coach?

  “He might accompany me to the Cirque training centre when I audition, but the talent scout was only looking for aerialists,” I said.

  “The talent scout?” Cass’s eyebrows shot up high on her forehead. “Was that the guy I caught you kissing outside Higher Grounds before Christmas?”

  The nameless friend elbowed Cass in the side and gave her a look.

  Breath. Deeply. Smile. “No. That wasn’t—what it was, is none of your business. And Robert is already aware of what happened.”

  Without blinking an eye, Cass continued. “And where is Robert today, why isn’t he here? I didn’t think this was explicitly a bridal shower, there are other guys here.”

  Smile. Breathe even deeper. Stay calm. “That is also none of your business, however, he’s picking up his cousin at the train station. Now, Cass. I’d suggest you find someone else to talk to, and if I hear that you’ve been gossiping or spreading malicious things about me, I will ask Dehlia and Stephen to escort you out.”

  I stretched my smile a little wider, turned my nose up ever so slightly, then pushed past Cass and continued to Miranda and Lisa. I would most definitely not miss teaching that girl.

  “You look positively seething,” Miranda said as I approached.

  “I had a run in with my least favourite student,” I said, then paused to take a sip of my coffee. “One of those delightful teenagers who thinks they’re God’s gift to the circus community.”

  My friends nodded and made sympathetic noises.

  “And the last time she saw me happened to be the exact moment Simon tried kiss me outside a coffee shop downtown, so she thinks she has something to lord over me.”

  Both Miranda and Lisa reacted similarly, eyes wide, brows raised.