‘I’m so sorry, Ben. I was too much of a coward to properly end our relationship, so I used to create ridiculous arguments in the hope that you’d be the one to call time on us. And before you go decking Drummond, he didn’t know I was once your girlfriend. In fact, he still has no idea.’
‘Good God,’ said Ben, his mouth dropping open. ‘Well, rest assured I have no desire to punch the guy’s lights out. He’s my boss, and I’d quite like to keep my job, thanks. But…’ – he stared at Anna incredulously – ‘you and Drummond? He’s old enough to be your father.’
‘And your point is?’ said Anna, her tone suddenly icy.
‘Nothing,’ said Ben hastily. ‘I wish you all the luck in the world.’
‘Thanks,’ said Anna, looking slightly mollified.
‘Forgive me for asking,’ he said. ‘But I’m curious. How did the two of you even get to meet?’
‘The way most people do these days. Online,’ she added, upon seeing Ben’s baffled expression. ‘Yes, that’s what an awful partner I was, Ben. One who was actively seeking another relationship and creating arguments with you in order to get the green light to justify what I was doing. And it worked.’
She had the grace to look embarrassed.
‘I guess it’s all water under the bridge now,’ said Ben in bemusement.
‘But I really do mean it when I say’ – said Anna, looking at Emma again – ‘I’d be delighted if you and Ben properly got together.’
Before Emma could say anything, Ben had thrown his arms around Emma’s shoulders.
‘Darling Ems, I’m so sorry to have made you wait. Will you forgive me? Because I really do want to see you. I just didn’t want you to be a rebound, because I have a feeling about us.’ He paused, looking both awkward and embarrassed. ‘Hell, life’s too short, so I’m simply going to spit this out. Will you be my girlfriend?’
Emma looked at Ben in astonishment, joy lighting up her face.
‘There’s nothing to forgive,’ she whispered. ‘And yes, I’ll be your girlfriend… I’ll be your anything… your everything.’
She hugged him hard.
‘And I’d like to apologise to the two of you,’ said Willow addressing both Emma and Anna.
‘Whatever for?’ asked Emma, tearing her eyes away from Ben.
‘Yes, why?’ said Anna.
Willow studied her fingernails for a moment.
‘Because, when I received those anonymous texts, I had reservations about one of you being Charlie’s lover. Now I know otherwise, and I feel ashamed for doubting either of you. I just wish’ – she looked at her best friend – ‘that you’d felt able to tell me that you knew about Charlie’s infidelity.’
‘I wanted to. So many times,’ said Emma. ‘I just didn’t know how. It crucified me having to wrestle with my conscience. Instead I tackled Charlie.’
‘Did you?’ said Willow in amazement.
‘I didn’t want to drop Ben in it, so I simply told Charlie that I had female intuition that he was up to no good. He denied this was the case and instead told me he was waiting for the right moment to ask you to marry him. I still didn’t trust him to keep his todger in his trousers, so I took the coward’s way out and rang you anonymously at the library. It was also why I tried to encourage you to have a date with Noah when he came to England. Can you forgive me?’
Willow sighed.
‘Of course.’
Oh, what a day. What a flipping awful day.
And then she caught sight of Noah. He was heading her way.
‘Sorry to interrupt, but the DJ is asking if you’re still doing a first dance. I’ve put him in the picture, but he wondered if you’d like to dance with your dad. Would that be all right?’
‘No,’ said Willow, shaking her head.
‘Okie-dokie, I’ll let the guy know.’
‘No need,’ said Willow, catching hold of Noah’s arm.
‘Then who are you going to dance with?’ he said, looking confused.
Willow’s mouth twitched.
‘I’m going to dance with you.’
Sixty-Five
Noah stared at Willow, saw that she was serious, and didn’t waste a moment. Nodding to the DJ, he led her on to the dance floor.
‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ said the DJ. ‘Put your hands together for Willow.’
As the opening bars to the music began to play, everybody applauded the bride-that-never-was.
Several guests raised an eyebrow at Willow’s handsome partner. He’d gathered her into his arms and was now delivering enough smoulders to start an Australian bush fire. Inevitably, there were some discreet murmurs behind hands. How come the jilted bride looked like a woman who was rapidly falling in love before their very eyes?
‘Willow,’ said Noah, holding her tight. ‘I want you to know that I think you’re the bravest woman I’ve ever met.’
‘Not brave,’ she shook her head, revelling in his warm hands against her spine.
The last time Noah had touched her back had been when doing up all the little buttons on the back of her dress. Now Willow wished he was undoing them.
Here she goes. More erotic thoughts. Aren’t you in mourning for your fiancé?
Oh hello. I wondered when you’d pipe up. And no. I’m not grieving.
People will talk, you know.
You mean they aren’t already?
I mean they’ll gossip.
So let them. Now go away. I’m having a moment and want to enjoy it.
‘However,’ Willow said. ‘I’ve decided that maybe today isn’t so awful after all.’
She gave him a bold smile.
‘In fact, right now, things seem pretty wonderful.’
Noah met her smile with one of tenderness, and Willow felt her body responding. Delicious zingers were once again making their presence known, and she was loving it.
‘Do you remember that day when you were with my sister in Franco’s coffee shop?’ said Noah. ‘We spoke on FaceTime.’
‘We did.’
‘And… at the time you agreed to me taking you out to dinner.’
Willow could feel herself going pink. She could remember that moment only too well. It was when she’d allowed her mind to wander off on a rather erotic daydream starring Noah Everest. And while her mind had been busily engaged elsewhere, she’d apparently agreed to a dinner date without taking on board one word of what Noah had been saying.
‘Whatever must you have thought of me agreeing to have dinner with you when I was engaged to another man?’
‘Just that you were being friendly,’ said Noah, but his eyes gleamed mischievously. ‘Admittedly, my intentions were… er…’
‘What?’
‘Okay. Confession time. From the moment I saw you on my phone screen, I knew that, when I got to England, I wanted to take you out. Properly. You know, on a date. A romantic date.’
Willow grinned.
‘Did you now?’ she said, arching an eyebrow.
‘Yeah. Which was a bit naughty of me. But I want you to know that I’m not in the habit of asking out engaged women, or married women, or women with boyfriends, or–’
‘I think I get the picture,’ Willow interrupted, still smiling.
‘I hope you don’t think badly of me.’
‘I don’t. In fact…’
‘Yes?’
‘Does your invitation to dinner still stand?’ she asked playfully.
He looked at her. Really looked at her. And once again Willow had the feeling that Noah was peering right into her soul.
‘Oh yes,’ he nodded. ‘The invitation still stands. Nothing would give me greater pleasure than to take you out to dinner. Do you think… that maybe… you might like to get to know me properly after all?’
Willow felt as though every cell in her body was cheering her on as she replied.
‘Yes. I think I’d like that very much.’
Epilogue
Eighteen months later
Everyone agreed they�
�d never seen a bride and groom look so well-matched and so in love.
As the DJ played the opening bars to the first dance, the handsome man led his beautiful bride on to a dance floor strewn with confetti and petals. Gathering her into his arms, he pulled her close.
‘Happy, darling?’
‘You bet,’ she beamed. ‘Who would’ve ever guessed that I’d marry my best friend’s brother!’
‘Indeed.’ He then shrugged helplessly. ‘Shame about your new mother-in-law.’
‘Hm. Maybe one day she’ll be back on my Christmas card list.’
‘In which case, you’ll have to include her new husband.’
‘Oh?’
‘I found out she recently married.’
‘No kidding. Anyone we know?’
‘I’ll give you a clue. You were once engaged to your new father-in-law…’
THE END
Also by Debbie Viggiano
Stockings and Cellulite
Lipstick and Lies
Flings and Arrows
The Perfect Marriage
Secrets
The Corner Shop of Whispers
The Woman Who Knew Everything
What Holly’s Husband Did
The Man You Meet in Heaven
Lucy’s Last Straw
Cappuccino and Chick-Chat (memoir)
Mixed Emotions (short stories)
The Ex Factor (a family drama)
Lily’s Pink Cloud ~ a child’s fairytale
100 ~ the Author’s experience of Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia
Acknowledgements
Willow’s Wedding Vows is my twelfth novel. I love to write books that make a reader occasionally giggle and provide pure escapism. As a result, there is absolutely no mention of the foul C word that has caused havoc across the globe this year.
There are several people involved in getting a book ‘out there’ and I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart.
Firstly, the brilliant Rebecca Emin of Gingersnap Books, who knows exactly what to do with machine code and is a formatting genius.
Secondly, the fabulous Cathy Helms of Avalon Graphics for working her magic in transforming a rough sketch into a gorgeous book cover. Cathy always delivers exactly what I want and is a joy to work with.
Thirdly, the amazing Rachel Gilbey of Rachel’s Random Resources, blog tour organiser extraordinaire. Immense gratitude also goes to each and every one of the fantastic bloggers who took the time to read and review Willow. They are:
Kirsty of Kirsty’s Book Buying Addiction, Caitlyn Lynch, DJ of Books and Bindings, Tizi of Tizi’s Book Review, Berni of Brmaycock’s Book Blog, Melanie of Chapter and Cake, Louise of Waggy Tales Blog, Jane Hunt, Lucy of Blonde Write More, Kerry of Herding Cats, Kelly of Dash Fan Book Reviews, Elaine of Splashes Into Books, Yvonne of Me and My Books, Finitha of Know Your Books, Stacy of Stacy Is Reading, Kaisha of The Writing Garnet, Pam of Books, Life and Everything, Sarah of Beauty Addict, Els of B for Bookreview, Vikkie of Little Miss Book Lover 87, Kay of Coffee and Kindle Book Reviews, Berit of Audio Killed the Bookmark, Tracey of @traceysyearinbooks, Donna of Donnasbookblog, Sharon of Stardust Book Reviews, Stacey of just_a_girl_who_loves_to_read, Fany of Fany Reads English and last, but not least, Satabdi of Book Reviews by Satabdi.
Fourthly, my lovely daughter, Eleanor, for assisting with proof-reading.
Finally, I want to thank you, my reader. Without you, there is no book. I very much hope you enjoy this one.
Debbie xx
Willow's Wedding Vows: a laugh out loud romantic comedy with a twist! Page 29