Bella comes in as Julia leaves and my smile fades. We haven’t spoken since the weird trip to Dean House last night, but in the light of day, I can see how thin and tired she looks. She’s been acting weird for days and the look she shoots me now is angry, like I’ve done something wrong. It makes my stomach turn over—does she know? Has she guessed I lied to her? I feel sick. Why did I say it? Why, why, why? I’ve tried to tell her the truth, so many times. Even last night, when she took me to Dean House, I wanted to tell her but the words wouldn’t come out.

I sip champagne and stand in the shadows watching Dad and Julia dance to the live jazz band they’ve hired for the reception. It’s such a beautiful day. The forecast has been threatening a break in the heatwave, promising storms, but there’s no sign of it yet, other than a single dark cloud in the sky. The day has been perfect—bittersweet for me, watching Dad marry someone else. Bella disappeared with Max and Lena as soon as the ceremony was over and I’ve been wandering round like a spare part ever since, pinching too many glasses of champagne.

I blink as I see someone come in through the side gate. It’s Max. Where has he been? He’s frowning and staring down at his phone as he walks toward the house and I impulsively follow him.

I find him in the kitchen filling a glass from an open bottle of champagne.

“Is there enough in there for me?” I ask, keeping my voice light. I stand next to him as he fills my glass and his arm brushes against mine. My heart is pounding. I’ve hardly seen him in the buildup to the wedding and this is the first time we’ve been alone in forever.

He fills the glass too fast and the champagne fizzes over the top and down my arm.

“Shit,” he says, reaching for a cloth. “Fuck’s sake. Sorry, Tess.”

“It’s fine,” I say, laughing. “Are you okay? You seem distracted.”

“What? Oh no—I’m fine.”

I lean down to lick a drop of champagne off my wrist and when I glance up, he’s looking at me. This has to be it, the moment. I reach up and brush my lips against his.

He jerks back so hard his arm hits mine and champagne spills all down the front of my dress.

“Christ, Hardy-girl,” he says. “What was that?”

My face floods with color while his pales and there’s a tic going in his cheek.

“Look, Tess, you didn’t think…” His voice trails off and I rush to interrupt.