He Threw Me Into a Fountain at My Sister’s Wedding Minutes Later, the Doors Opened and Everything Changed

Nathan had texted an hour earlier. Landing soon. Traffic from airport heavy.

ETA 45 minutes. When I tried to join a circle of dancing cousins, they closed ranks without a word. I found a quiet corner and checked my watch.

My mother appeared at my elbow, champagne flute in hand, her voice low and sharp. “You could at least try to look like you’re enjoying yourself. Your perpetual sulking is becoming a topic of conversation.”

“I’m not sulking, Mother.

I’m observing.”

“Well, observe with a smile. The Wellingtons are important people. Don’t embarrass us.”

As if I were the one creating embarrassment here.

“The least you could have done was bring a date,” she continued. “Everyone is asking why you’re here alone.”

My husband, I did not say, is worth more than the entire Wellington family combined and is currently in a car from Logan Airport. My father began tapping his crystal glass.