Players, Bumps and Cocktail Sausages (Silence #3)(64)

We sat down once Tammy reached the front and the music came to an end. Jasper’s arm stayed around me.

“They look so happy,” I whispered, leaning into him because I was too damn weak to pull away.

Get a hold of yourself, Holly! And I would, tomorrow. Right now I wanted to enjoy today with my family and my baby’s dad.

“They do,” he agreed stiffly as if he was adding in his head ‘For now’.

Why I thought bringing Mr Negative to a wedding was a good idea I’d never know.



Once the ceremony was over we went into another large, high ceiling room that gave the place a grand feel for drinks and canapés while the photographer did his thing. Since I wasn’t a bridesmaid I didn’t have to pose for many photos, which suited me just fine.

“Orange juice?” Jasper asked.

“Please.”

“You want the Pimms fruit on top?”

I shook my head. “No thanks, that’s way too tragic.”

He pursed his lips.

“If you weren’t pregnant you probably still would have had the OJ.”

“I wouldn’t. At weddings, I get drunk.”

He gave a crooked grin.

“Well as soon as this one,” he cupped my belly, stroking it with his thumb, “is out, I’m taking you to a wedding. I’d love to see you drunk again.”

“I’ll hold you to that.”

“Holly, darling, you look beautiful,” Tammy said. “Oh you’ve got that pregnancy glow.”

That glow was because my temperature was running higher than usual. I wasn’t glowing I was a fat, hot mess. I’d only just started looking pregnant – even though I was five months – and not like I’d had too many pies.

“Thank you. You look gorgeous. Congratulations!”

“Thank you, love. Where’s your date? He’s very yummy,” she said, wiggling her eyebrow.

I looked over to see Jasper at the drinks table, talking to Brad and his date, Casey “Over there,” I replied, nodding my head towards him.

“And this is baby daddy?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm, you’ve done well there!”

I nudged her arm. “You’ve just got married!”

“Hey, I can still look. What’s the story there anyway? Your mum said you’re not together, but then you turn up here…”

“We’re just friends. He doesn’t want a relationship.”

“Bad experience?”

“His ex cheated on him. He’s in the middle of a divorce.”

“I know how that feels.” Her eyes narrowed. “You love him.”

I blinked in shock. “I… No.”

“You do. You’re in love with him; it’s written all over your face.”

It was written all over my face? Did he notice it? Was that why he was blowing hot and cold?

“You look like a deer in the headlights right now, Hol. If he’s in the middle of a divorce, the last thing he’s going to see is another woman in love with him. If I can recall, you’re less than warm towards members of the opposite sex at that time.”

“Can we stop talking about me now, please? This is your wedding.”

“Yes, so we should talk about whatever I want.”

I groaned, making her laugh.

“Okay, point taken. I’ll drop the subject, just be careful. I don’t want you getting hurt. Give the boy time, he’s not in the place to even think about a future relationship at the minute.”

Don’t I know it.

“So where’re you going on honeymoon?” I asked, changing the subject.

“Jamaica!”

“Wow.”

Jasper walked back over to us, awkwardly holding two glasses of orange juice and a glass of champagne. Now I knew they said you should eat for two – although you shouldn’t – but this was ridiculous.

“Congratulations,” Jasper said, handing Tammy the champagne. He gave me an orange after and kept one for himself. What?

“Thank you and thank you,” Tammy replied, taking a sip and then kissing Jasper on the cheek.

“You’re not drinking?” I asked.

“No, I’m taking you home tonight.”

“Oh. Right, well I’m sure we can get a lift with Mum and Dad or Brad if you want to drink. We can pick your car up tomorrow.” I’d assumed we were going to do that anyway. “Or I can drive.”

He laughed. “You’re not driving my baby. I don’t mind not drinking. Gotta look after you anyway, so I need to be sober.”

“How much trouble do you think I’m going to get into?”

He looked me up and down, and I blushed. My aunt was right there!

“In that dress…”

“He’s right, you look stunning, sweetheart,” Tammy said and winked. “Anyway, I’d better move on.” She glided across the floor elegantly with the train of the dress following. I wanted that one day. With Jasper.

“I look fat.”

He snorted. “You don’t look fat. You look pregnant and so beautiful I can barely keep my eyes off you.” He took my hand and caught my breath.

Why say things like that if you don’t want anything to happen between us?