the fire, Texas?”
As the tears I’ve been holding back begin to well in my eyes, I dart a look from him back to Geraldine. She’s watching me, one eyebrow arched, judging my every move.
“Pardon me,” I mutter as I push past him. I search the room for Sebastian, but I can’t find him. Instead, I rush around the edge of the dance floor, holding in my tears as best I can. I dash out of the ballroom and into the grand hallway.
I reach the end, far from the dancing, and slump down the wall to the floor beside a velvet curtain. As my butt hits the floor, I let the tears flow. They’re tears of sadness, they’re tears of anger, and they’re tears of frustration. Frustration that all my efforts to get Geraldine to accept me have come to nothing.
And now she’s literally offered to pay me to leave.
It’s insane, like an old novel with an evil queen and a poor, peasant girl.
“I thought you could do with one of these.”
It’s Chris. Again. I look up through blurry eyes at him. He’s smiling down at me in my crumpled position on the floor, holding a glass of champagne in each hand, one of which he holds out for me.
I wipe my face with the backs of my hands. “I’m not exactly in a celebratory mood.”
He slides down the wall and sits next to me. “I find alcohol helps, no matter what your mood.”
“What are you doing here?”
His lips curve into a smile. “Saving a damsel in distress.”
I scoff. “I’m no damsel, and I don’t need saving. I mean, what are you doing at this wedding.”
“Jilly invited me, although I was late and I only got here a while back. Just in time, by the looks of things. Here.”
With a sigh I take the drink from him and take a gulp. The bubbles tickle my nose as the cool liquid slips down my throat.
He clinks his glass against mine. “Here’s to dramatic exits from ballrooms.”
“I’m not sure I want to drink to that.”
“Just drink then. You’ll feel a lot better. Champagne is magic, especially this super expensive kind.”
I take a gulp. “I don’t know anything about champagne.”
“All you’ve got to know is this is the good stuff and it would be rude not to drink it.”
I take another sip and begin to feel the alcohol warm my belly. I can’t deny it feels good.
“She was being an old bitch, wasn’t she?”
I know I shouldn’t trust this guy. I know Sebastian hates him and he hurt Jilly. But he’s here, and he’s being kind, and I need a shoulder to cry on. “She told me I don’t belong here and I should just leave.”
“I think you fit in perfectly here, although between you and me, I’ve noticed a bunch of other girls in the same dress tonight.”
I let out a sudden laugh despite myself. “Being a bridesmaid kinda requires you to look the same as each other.”
“Is that what that’s about? I just thought it was some weird chick thing.”
I laugh, almost glad he’s here. Almost.
“You didn’t mean here at the wedding. You meant here. She told you you’re not good enough for her family, didn’t she?”
I give a reluctant nod. “I always knew she wasn’t my biggest fan, but this was straight up vicious.” To my dismay, fresh tears sting my eyes, and I wipe them away quickly.
He loops his arm around my shoulder and gives me a squeeze. It’s oddly comforting. “Aw, Texas. That sucks. You knew this would happen, though.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Yeah, ya did. Remember what happened to me? I wasn’t one of them either.”
I sniff loudly, wishing I had a Kleenex. “You mean with you and Jilly?”
He nods. “It was made pretty darn clear that I wasn’t good enough for her. And you know what? Screw them, because I am good enough. And so are you.”
I lift my chin, bolstered by his words. “I know that.”
“Then why are you out here crying and not in there dancing up a storm with your soon-to-be husband? Be honest with yourself. She got to you. And it sucks.”
I hang my head. “You’re right. She did.”
“I’m sorry, Texas. You deserve more. A whole lot more.” He raises his glass. “A toast. To not fitting in and not giving a damn.”
I giggle and take another sip of my champagne, and I’m surprised to see I’ve finished off the glass. “You’re right about something else, too. Champagne is a miracle worker.”
“Geraldine who?” he says