Dysfunctional Hearts Page 3

  “Smile,” he says, his fingers teasing my side, causing me to laugh.

  He moves, his warm breath touches my ear, causing my skin to tingle. “We’re okay then… After earlier, I mean?”

  I stare into his eyes, sparkling something I can’t decipher—worry, regret or confusion. I have no idea. I nod. “Yes, of course.” And I want my words to be valid.

  “Good.” He places his arm over my shoulder, pulling me into him. I’m very aware of how my body moulds to his. Our eyes meet; a silent smile passes between us. His fingers trail up my arm, eliciting a fire trail.

  Voices from behind the curtain gain my attention. “I think people are waiting to get in here,” I say, my voice hoarse. Pulling open the curtain, I reluctantly leave the confined space.

  “How long until they print?” I ask as we wait.

  “Couple more seconds.” He points to the digital display as the clock counts down.

  “Well, duty calls and all that jazz.” I need to make sure Flick doesn’t need me to do anything. I watch him grab the strip and tear it in half, passing it to me as he keeps hold of the other. “Thanks.”

  “See you in a bit, then?”

  I nod, and he winks at me as I walk away. I study the photos in my hand. I am momentarily stunned. He is staring back at me with eyes filled with what appears to be awe and admiration. And I am gazing back at him with a soft shyness. I don’t even notice Flick until she leans over my shoulder.

  “What you got there?”

  I cover my chest with my hand and give them a quick wave in her face.

  “Nothing.”

  She snatches them from me. “Nothing, my arse.” She giggles.

  I take them back and slip them in my purse. She’s never looked so radiant, it’s as if the dress picked her. It fits her like a glove.

  “Are you enjoying yourself?” I ask her. The smile hasn’t left her face all day.

  “I am, but I do need to pee, come with.” She grabs hold of my arm, and we make our way to the toilets. She stops a few times on the route—all coos and congratulations—and she barely makes it in time, sighing when she finally gets to the toilet.

  I eye the basket on the counter, filled with all sorts: hairspray, plasters, deodorant, perfume…you name it, it’s there. Reminds me of the club we went to that night. I squeeze my eyes closed, trying to fight the wave of nausea as it engulfs me.

  “I want this for you, too, one day,” she calls out, distracting me from my thoughts, my heart beating heavy in my ears. I try to concentrate on the soft hum of music in the distance instead of her pee. She wasn’t joking when she said she had to go.

  I shake my head. “Not likely to happen.”

  Nope.

  “Don’t be like that… And stop shaking your head.”

  I glance back at the door, searching for any hidden peepholes.

  “You’re just a secret romantic and blinded by love,” I tell her, and pick and dig in my clutch for my lip gloss, then apply a fresh coat.

  “Oh, shush, you. And by the way, that was some kiss earlier.”

  I pause, my hand suspended over my top lip, and sigh. “We were just winding you guys up.”

  I jam the lid back on the gloss and run my finger under my eye. Eyeliner and I are old adversaries; it never stays put.

  “If you say so. What about all the stolen looks here and there? You do know it’s okay to like Charlie, Soph. You’re both free agents. And I think you’d be good for each other.”

  I don’t understand her. At first, it was all like, don’t go there, he’s Nate’s best friend, blah, blah, blah. And now? “We’re friends.”

  “That’s not what I mean, and you know it.”

  I turn and lean my butt on the counter, crossing my arms over my chest. “I’m not interested in any more flings. You know this.” We’ve talked about it before. I can’t keep repeating the same mistakes over and over again.

  “I think for the right girl, it wouldn’t be an issue.”

  I scoff at that. “Oh, come off it. Besides, haven’t you got a wedding reception to get back to?” She needs to let this go, the more she talks about it, the sicker I feel.

  She flushes the toilet in answer and joins me in front of the mirror, washing her hands.

  “Yes, I do, but first I need you to come with me to the summer house. I have a present for you. I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable by giving it to you in front of everyone,” she says, drying her hands on the towel and checking her reflection in the mirror one more time.

  “You shouldn’t have got me anything anyway.” She knows how much I hate being the centre of attention. If anyone else had asked me to sing at his or her wedding, it would be a no. But I’m hoping everyone will be too focused on the bride and groom to even pay attention to me. I help her straighten the back of her dress.

  We walk to the summer house, trying our hardest not to let our heels sink into the grass. It’s been quite dry, so luckily, it’s not so bad.

  Inside, sitting on the small table is a robin-egg-blue bag. She grabs it by the white handle and passes it to me. I give her a gentle shove. She laughs as I hold it in front of me.

  It’s too much, and she knows it. Even if she’s doing well with her photography, I can’t afford to get her anything like this. I know she wouldn’t expect it, but I have to count every penny. Since I don’t share living space, my cost of living has more than doubled—adulting is sure a reality check.

  “Come on, just open it,” she says with a massive grin on her face.

  Reaching in, I pull out a small box with a perfect satin white ribbon, and I’m almost resentful having to undo such a pretty bow. Inside is a small drawstring bag. I open it and tip the contents into my palm to find a silver locket.

  “It’s beautiful.” I hold it up in front of me to admire it.

  “Open it.”

  My hands are shaking as I do. Inside is a picture of me, her, and Simon. My eyes start getting all salty.

  “See, you’re such a softy.”

  I grab her and pull her in, squeezing her tight. “It’s too much, but I love it, thank you.”

  “Nothing’s changed because I’m married. You know, that right?”

  “Three amigos forever,” I say with a smile. Real friends are the ones who stand by you through your darkest hours. I don’t know where I’d be without her. An involuntary shiver escapes me—I don’t ever want to find out, either.

  “Oi, oi, did someone say amigos?” Simon bundles us from behind. “Group hug,” he hollers and pulls us both into his arms. When he lets us go, Felicity straightens her dress.

  “Look at mine,” he says, holding out a dog tag with a hologram of the same photo.

  “It’s perfect,” I say.

  He holds his arm out, phone in hand, and pouts his lips.

  “I’m not taking a selfie with you pulling a face like that,” I say.

  “Like what, oh come, Esmerelda, just smile already.”

  Flick punches him on the shoulder, and we all lean in for a few selfies.

  “You cut it fine, what happened?” I ask him.

  He rolls his eyes. “You don’t want to know.”

  “Well, now we do,” Flick says, putting her arms on her hips.

  “Fine, but you asked.” He slumps down into a chair, his hands hanging between his legs. “So, I was giving Ryan a… you know what…”

  I shake my head and turn to Flick. She shrugs.

  “No, a what?” I ask.

  His ears turn red, and it’s a rare sign to see him like this. I can’t stifle my laugh as his tongue pokes into his cheek and he gives a hand signal gesture.

  “Ohh, too much info,” I say.

  “Whatever, like I said, you asked. Well, I got stuck.”

  I want to hide, and from how full Flick’s eyes just got, I think she does, too. But she presses him for more.

  “How-how did you get, you know…stuck?” she asks, waving her hand in front of her.

  I cringe. Do we eve
n want to know?

  “His piercing,” is all he says as if that explains it.

  There’s a stilled silence until he cuts in. “Oh, fuck off you two, it happens,” he says breaking out into a cackle, and we can’t hold back our laughter either. My sides hurt when we finally pull ourselves together. Damn, I miss him.

  Felicity squeals as Nate grabs hold of her from behind. We were so caught up in what Simon divulged, we didn’t even hear him come in. He peppers her collarbone with tiny kisses, and her cheeks take on a rose-coloured blush. He spins her in his arms, so they’re face to face.

  “Get a room,” Simon says, laughing.

  “We have one, don’t you worry,” Nate says with a wink. “Are you ready for the sunset photos?” he asks, kissing the tip of her nose.

  She nods. Of course, she is, they’ve been planning this since the day she said yes.

  I watch him, watching her—that’s what real love is.

  “I’ll see you two back inside soon,” she says as Nate whisks her out of the summer house, and back towards their treehouse.

  Simon slings his arm over my shoulder, pulling me into him. “You okay, sweetness?” he asks.

  “Yes, of course, why wouldn’t I be?” I ask, staring back at him.

  “Oh, I don’t know…you tell me?”

  We begin to make our way back to the gazebo and I link my arm with his. “I’ve missed you.”

  He pauses mid-step and turns me to face him. “Girl, if I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times. You are always welcome to visit Ryan and me in New York. The invitation is open. It doesn’t have an expiration date.”

  I smile up at him. The trees are alive with peaceful twittering, the birds singing as the sun begins to set.

  “I know, and I will, but I’m trying to save for this business loan. I want the bank to know how serious I am.”

  In a few weeks, I have an appointment with the bank, and I’ll know if they are prepared to help me with my business venture. It may not be grand in comparison to what others do, but it beats working in an office. If I can secure this loan and secure a shop, it would be the start of something new for me. Everyone else has moved on or is following their dreams. I’m still trying to figure all of this out.

  Simon smiles, his eyes sparkle. “They will, and you deserve it, you do. But I’ll always give you my air miles to buy you a ticket. You know Ryan gets us cheap flights through his cousin.”

  “Thank you, I’ll think about it.”

  He kisses me on top of the head. “Come on, let’s go get a drink and get back to Ryan before Ana turns him straight.” We both laugh. Simon’s been close to Flick’s nan since Flick and he dated. And the fact she has no prejudice to his sexual preference and likes his boyfriend means the world to him.

  “No chance. He knows what a catch he has,” I say and mean it.

  He links his arm with mine again and begins to skip back towards the gazebo. I have no choice but to join in. For the first time in a long time, I don’t feel so alone, and the ache in my chest begins to dissipate.

  Chapter 4

  Charlie

  The tables and chairs have been moved to the sides to allow for the dance floor. The stage is all set up, with a DJ and a piano in the corner. Sporadic spotlights glint off the disco ball, sending sparkling rainbows of glitter all over the room. Children play just outside with a bubble machine and a giant game of Jenga pieces. I don’t want to be on the receiving end of that once the intoxicated party-goers give it a go. And they will.

  I laugh to myself, waiting for a drink at the bar, when Felicity steps in front of me, a strained smile on her face. It’s the first time today she hasn’t been full-on beaming. What the fu—

  “Is it true?” she asks, breathless.

  “What?” I ask, just as the bartender hands me my drink. She snatches it from my hand, places it down, and pulls me away from the bar and around the corner.

  “That you play the piano?”

  “What? Well, yeah but—”

  Her eyes gaze heavenward and she lets out a relieved sigh. “I need you to play. Just for the first dance. The DJ can pick up the rest after that.”

  I raise my eyebrows. “How do you even know I play well enough?”

  She rolls her eyes. “Now is not the time to be modest, Charlie. Nate told me, and it’s an emergency. The pianist broke his hand. I’m desperate. The song for our first dance was meant to be a surprise for Nate. A pianist is necessary. It’s part of the arrangement.”

  Oh, man. I want to say no, but I’m a total sucker when it comes to this girl. “Fine, what do you need me to play?”

  She claps her hands together, beaming. “Your song,” she says.

  “Okay, but you owe me big time,” I say, with a smirk.

  She squeals and kisses my cheek. “Well, no time to think about it, you have like two minutes,” she says and points to the stage as she pushes me away.

  I have no idea what I’ve just got myself into.

  I make my way up the stage, loosening my cravat before taking a seat on a stool in front of the piano. I click my knuckles. My fingertips hover over the keys as I inspect the dance floor. No one is paying attention to me as they talk amongst themselves.

  “Where’s Philip?” I turn on the seat as Sophie approaches, and can’t hold back my smile.

  “Who?” I ask and glance behind me.

  “The pianist,” she replies, clasping her hands in front of her.

  Oh, right. I nod in understanding. “He had an accident,” I say with a shrug.

  She points to the piano and then me. “So, what, you’re going to play?” She doesn’t say it condescendingly, more like she’s unsure.

  I nod.

  Squeezing her eyes tight, she licks her lips before she opens them again and stares at me, wide-eyed.

  I get to my feet and approach her. “Don’t worry. I started playing when I was like four. It’ll be fine,” I say, trying to put her at ease. I have a piano—she’s even seen it. What, did she think it was just for show?

  “But how will you know the arrangement?” she asks, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip. My fingers twitch beside me, desperate to release it, my thoughts shift to my lips on hers. I observe the guests still caught up in conversations and dancing to the DJ.

  “I’m sure I can pick it up,” I say, and sit back down, glancing to the sheet music in front of me. She follows. “I didn’t know you were going to sing,” I say.

  “Yeah, well, I was blindsided. Kind of hard to say no to your best friend.”

  She closes her eyes and takes a calming breath. Then she shakes out her hands before she wipes her palms down the front of her dress, moving so she’s in front of the microphone.

  Her scent lingers, and I can’t help but breathe it in.

  The DJ announces the first dance is about to take place. Felicity and Nate appear on the edge of the dance floor until the beam of light forms a white halo around them as they walk to the middle, hand in hand. All eyes on them.

  I watch Soph as she screws the cap back on a water bottle and bends to place it on the floor beside her, and I can’t take my eyes off of her. She stares back and gives a firm nod before placing her hand around the microphone.

  I smile and work my fingers over the keys. The notes echo in the now silent room until she begins to sing.

  Entranced, I let her voice guide me as I play along. If I had to guess what an angel would sound like, it would be this. I’d choose her voice a thousand times over.

  I continue to match her, note for note, and when she peeks back at me with a smile, I nearly come undone. She’s shiny, radiant, and she’s never been as beautiful as she is right now. And it’s not what she’s wearing, it’s what’s written all over her face—she’s at peace when she sings.

  When she’s sung the last note, a massive round of applause erupts with cheers for Felicity and Nate. But when I stand and clap, it’s reserved solely for her.

  She joins me by the piano as a
song kicks in by the DJ, who asks all guests to join the married couple on the floor.

  “Not too shabby,” I say. Leaning in, I kiss her on the cheek.

  She turns to me and hugs me briefly before stepping back. I take her by the elbow to lead her off stage and onto the dance floor.

  Sophie

  I can’t believe I did it. I haven’t sung in front of a crowd—not since I was in the choir. When she first asked me if I would, everything in me wanted to say no. It was one of the few things I loved, but my parents took that away from me, too. How was I expected to go back to church as the token pariah? All I was to them was a huge disappointment. So, I never went back. And I missed it—more than my ex, and dare I say, even more than them.

  But now, in their faces. They don’t hold the power, I do. I did it.

  Just as we enter the edge of the dance floor, Charlie leans down, his warm breath tickling my ear. Then, with a whoosh, I’m grabbed from behind. I can’t contain the squeal which escapes my throat when I come face to face with Simon.

  His smile reads only mischief as he pulls me into his arms, and then spins me out and pulls me back in again. Laughter bounces off his chest when he pulls me into his body.

  “Beautifully sang,” he says, and pats my backside.

  “Would you quit that, and you forget yourself,” I say as my eyes find Ryan, who raises his glass in my direction with a nod. “Your boyfriend is just over there.”

  He pulls back and wiggles his eyebrows. “It’s one of the things I miss most about living in NYC… Winding you up,” he says.

  And there it is—the lump in my throat, an ache in my chest—knowing as quickly as he arrived, he’ll be off again.

  “Oh, come on, baby girl. Don’t look like that.”

  I try to hide my face in his chest, but he pulls back.

  “Like what,” I mutter, my throat scratchy.

  His face sags. “You’re sad I have to leave soon. Me too, but as I said earlier, my offer is an open invitation.”

  He’s right. I’m grateful he’s here at all. “I know,” I say right as he spins me expertly outward again; those dance lessons his mother used to drag him to really did pay off.