Fauxmance (Showmance #2)(36)

“We definitely don’t have sticks up our bums, best go with the groom,” she replied, and I chuckled. We took a seat at the very back. The church was almost full, and I thought this couple must’ve had some cash to splash with the number of wedding guests they’d invited. The church was also in an affluent neighbourhood and David mentioned earlier that they were local.

“Aren’t you Judy’s nephew? Alan?” the elderly woman I’d sat next to asked. I plastered on a charming smile. If Ellen could be Elodie for the day, then perhaps I could be Alan.

“Yes, how are you…”

“Margaret Adams. You probably don’t remember me. My, my, the last time I saw you was at Wendy Jones’ funeral. You must’ve only been a teenager.”

I made a sad face. “Wendy was such a nice lady.”

“Yes, I do think about her sometimes. I must say, you’ve grown up to be a handsome young man. I’ll have to tell Judy I bumped into you when she gets out of the hospital.”

“Of course, poor aunt Jude. You should go visit her. I’m sure she’d love to see you.”

“Do you know what? Maybe I will.” She paused and gestured me closer. I bent down, aware of Elodie listening in amusement to the exchange. “Did you hear that the bride used to date the best man?”

I affected a scandalised expression. “I did not. When did they date?”

“Oh, years ago, I think. Still, can you imagine? I wouldn’t like to be in her shoes right now.”

I arched an eyebrow. “Me neither.”

Up by the alter, the groom stood next to his best man. He looked the tiniest bit nervous when the string quartet started their rendition of Ave Maria. I glanced at Elodie and found her enthralled by the ceremony. The bridesmaids, wearing lavender, Grecian style dresses, made their way up the aisle and my companion watched them with keen interest. She must’ve noticed my studying her when she glanced to the side and whispered, “I’ve never been to a wedding before.”

This surprised me. “Not even when you were a child?”

“My dad hated going to weddings. I think since Mum passed they made him sad.”

“That’s understandable.”

“It’s amazing though. The amount of effort people put in. This must’ve taken almost a year to organise.”

“Probably. But I’m sure it’s worth it when the couple finally gets to have their day.”

“Yes, I suppose,” she murmured and turned her attention to the altar. I marvelled at her wonder, a part of me wishing I could be so excited about the little things again, even if just for a day. For a while now I’d felt this expanding emptiness, but seeing the world through Elodie was a pleasant distraction.

Later on, we arrived at the hotel where the reception was being held. The room was lavishly decorated in ivory ribbons and white roses. Elodie peered at the cage of doves. She walked up and trailed her hand over the bars, whispering a quiet, “Hello.”

Her fascination with birds interested me. Most people chose dogs or cats for pets, but birds, and lovebirds in particular, was an unusual choice.

“I apologise in advance, but the bride caught wind that we’re all single and has seated us at the singles’ table,” David said regretfully as he approached.

“Don’t apologise. The singles table has all the best characters,” I replied and placed my hand to Elodie’s lower back as we walked through the room. She tensed for a second, then relaxed into it.

“Yes, that’s what I’m afraid of,” David sighed and led us to a table where three women and two men were already seated. Both men’s eyes lit up when they saw Elodie and I told myself it was a good sign, even though, admittedly, it made me a tiny bit irritated. I was becoming possessive of her. It was something that happened every once in a while. I could become attached to clients just the same as they could become attached to me. It was like a temporary love affair. Intense for a while, but eventually, it fizzled out.

Not that Elodie was a client. She was…something new entirely. I couldn’t deny there were similarities between our friendship and the sort of relationship I had with clients. A part of me wished to help her, bring her out of her shell. Another part was simply interested in her unique psychology and enjoyed spending time with her. Also, I wasn’t getting paid, so this was not a business arrangement.

I’d almost forgotten what it was like to make a new friend. So many of the ones I already had I’d known for years.

“Hi, I’m Keith, and this is Steve,” said the dark-haired man, giving Elodie his full attention. His gaze wandered from her tight dress all the way down to her sexy heels. Something in my throat tightened. I didn’t like the way he looked at her.

I did my best to shake off the feeling. I wasn’t here to be possessive of Elodie. I was here to help her develop her social skills and meet people—and enjoy myself in the process.

Elodie smiled at Keith. “Hello, I’m Elodie.” They shook hands and I watched as his hand lingered. He definitely planned on trying to sleep with her tonight.

“Beautiful name, and beautiful eyes,” he said. She tittered girlishly. I was amused at her act, now that I knew it was an act. Ellen didn’t even realise it, but she was adept at flirting. She’d lower her gaze, look away then look back. Sometimes she’d subtly touch a man’s elbow. I’d witnessed it at Branson Sutton’s birthday party, and I was witnessing it again now. I thought I was the best flirt I knew, but Ellen, when she was being Elodie, was a complete natural.