“But I especially wanted to say a huge thank you to Abby’s best friend Delta, and her oldest friend, Jordan. Particularly to Jordan, who’s stepped in and really made the run-up a breeze. So much so, she’s selflessly sitting at the end in hot pink, dealing with any issues and making them disappear. Here’s to you!” Marcus raised a glass in her direction.

The whole table turned to clap Jordan. She raised a weary smile.

Then she caught Abby’s gaze.

She was so beautiful.

Jordan was so over tonight.

When the clapping died down and Marcus was saying something else, she grabbed her bag and squeezed out the side door of the dining room as silently as she could. Then she walked back through the reception and out onto the main steps of the manor house. Its neatly manicured lawns stretched out under the imminent sunset. It really was a gorgeous setting for a gorgeous couple. This was how the world worked. Jordan had seen it enough to understand. If she ever got married, it would never happen in a place like this. She wouldn’t want it to, either. This venue wasn’t for the likes of her.

She was just about to walk down the steps to the car park and garden, when the main door opened.

It was Abby, with her beautiful shoulders on show. The same ones Jordan had gripped on the plane.

Jordan stilled, staring. “Are you lost?”

Abby shook her head. “I saw you slip out. I wanted to check you were okay.”

Jordan turned, and walked down the steps in a bid to get away. “I’m fine.”

Footsteps on the stairs signalled Abby was following. “Jordan,” she said, touching her arm. Abby had quick feet when she needed to.

Jordan shrugged her off, turning. “Go back to your rehearsal dinner, Abby. You heard Marcus. He’s the luckiest man in the world. You wouldn’t want to do anything to spoil that.”

Abby stared at her. “I’m sorry, okay? For it all. For kissing you. For having sex with you. It’s all my fault, and you’re the one who got caught up in it.”

“Not as sorry as I am.” Jordan’s heart hammered as her anger rose. “This is easy for you.” Jordan swept an arm out from her side. “You’ve got this whole cosy world to fall back on. A tall, rich man to run to. I don’t have any of that. And you made me feel things. Want things.” Her chest heaved. “And you just brush it off like it was nothing.”

“It wasn’t nothing! It was the opposite of nothing!” Abby’s voice was raised, her tone staining the air. She seemed shocked by her volume, glancing around before turning herself down.