“Funny how it works like that. Me, I’d rather be alone at this point. I can’t deal with other people’s bullshit anymore. I’ll just take care of myself and know the job’s done right.”
He almost envied her, aside from part of him not fully believing what she said. Perrin was a beautiful woman. She was spunky and nice, and he couldn’t help but see it as a loss to the world if she kept all that to herself.
“You never know,” he said. “Sometimes life shocks the shit out of you and everything changes.”
She studied him for a long moment. “Something shock the shit out of you recently?”
“You could say that.”
They sat in a lengthy, comfortable silence, passing the flask back-and-forth until it was empty. The muffled voices from the front of the bar grew in volume as more guests began to arrive. The ceremony at the lake was beautiful, and he’d never seen his brother so happy. He needed to get out of his head and into the moment.
“What do you say I snag a bigger bottle from the front and you and I do some pregaming while we wait for the bride and groom. I’ll even get Tully.”
Or he could get too drunk to think straight. “Deal.”
Sweet Caroline blasted from the speakers as everyone waved linen napkins in the air and the DJ announced the parents of the bride and groom. O’Malley’s was packed, the Irish relatives of the groom far outweighing the bride’s family.
Julie smiled as Pat and Ryan’s parents came out dancing with euphoric grins spread across their faces. Rosemarie looked to be having the time of her life. Maggie’s parents were announced next and made a much more subdued entrance.
Next came the best man and maid of honor. Pat appeared with Perrin, the bride’s sister, riding on his shoulders. His bowtie was loose, face rosy, after what she bet was several shots of whiskey, and he appeared to be having a ball.
Julie laughed, envious of their lighthearted mood and cheerful demeanor. She didn’t know Perrin very well, but she seemed to fit right in with the Clooneys.
The music shifted to The Blood of Cu Chulainn and everyone stood as the DJ announced the bride and groom. Despite the high energy, her eyes watered. Time seemed to move in slow-motion as Ryan danced out of the back room, his beautiful wife smiling and twirling in his arms. The bride and groom’s gazes glued to each other as all the heartaches of their pasts seemed to disappear.
Julie looked down at her hand, where her engagement ring usually rested. If she put the ring back on and married Lance, would their wedding be this happy? Would Lance ever look at her the way Ryan looked at Maggie?
The hair on the back of her neck lifted, and she turned to find Pat staring at her. He smiled and her heart fluttered. Would Lance ever look at her like that?
Chills raced over her shoulders as she tried to breathe evenly, but when he watched her with that penetrating stare, everything seemed to shake within her. She assumed by now Jo had told him. Yet he didn’t seem angry with her.
The music changed again, cutting to the Beach Boys’ Don’t Worry Baby, and Ryan and Maggie shared their first official dance. Their happiness radiated across the room.
She’d been to many McCullough weddings, and this one wasn’t any different. After the first dance, everyone flooded the dance floor and the meal began. Drinks poured, from an endless fountain, and by the main course, the majority of the guests were wasted.
After the dinner plates were cleared and the cake was cut, the chairs were mostly empty and the dance floor was full. Some of the older guests had taken their leave.
Pat hadn’t approached her, and she supposed, that was best. He and Jo danced to a few quick songs, but he had been mostly preoccupied with his relatives.
Her phone buzzed from within her purse, and she stupidly checked the screen. No surprise it was Lance, calling her again. He’d been calling nonstop all day, even when he knew today was the wedding.
Before she could put the phone back in her purse, a text flashed on the screen. I’m out front. Either meet me out here or I’m coming in.
Her blood ran cold. Lance was there, all the way from Maryland?
She quickly stood, nearly knocking over a glass of chardonnay, and went to stop him from coming inside. Her gaze briefly crossed with Jo’s on her way out the door, and she glimpsed her sister’s concern but tried to wave it off, like she was just going out to get some air.
The evening humidity hit her like a brick wall. The music could be heard from the parking lot, but she didn’t see Lance’s car. Had she misunderstood? She checked her phone again.