My sister had the bright idea of seating me at the farthest end of the wedding receptiontable twelve, practically shoved up against the swinging doors to the kitchen.
Im 32, financially secure, with a place of my own and a solid career, and yet, here I was, exiled to the least desirable spot. Waiters kept charging out carrying trays, bumping into my chair, while the smell of roasting beef was so strong it made me want to gag. My only tablemates were a couple of distant, much younger cousins, about twenty-five, and chatty Aunt Jean, who kept pronouncinglike some sage authoritythat “women really shouldn’t leave having children so late.”
My sister Alice spent the entire evening making sure I seemed like the familys token failure. Shed drag me over to the grooms well-to-do friends and announce, loudly, that I was far too fussy, before turning on the pity to remark how it was such a shame such a lovely girl was still single.
People nodded along sympathetically, offering pearls of wisdom like, Dont overthink it, or, You ought to spend more time at church. When it was time for the bouquet toss, Alice purposely sent it flying in the opposite direction, then raised her voice for all to hear:
Looks like my dear sister will have to wait a little longer!
I kept checking my watch, plotting an escape through the kitchen, when I heard a calm, confident male voice behind me:
Go along with me. Pretend were together. I promise, your sister will eat her words.
I turned to see a man so striking I momentarily forgot to breathe: tall, impeccably dressed, chestnut eyes flecked with warmth, with hints of silver at his temples.
He introduced himself, flashing a wry smile: Leonardcousin of the groom.
Without waiting for permission, but with all the courtesy in the world, he drew up a chair and rested a hand lightly on the back of mine. A ripple of whispers immediately coursed through the hall as heads turned.
Alice, sipping champagne at the bar, froze mid-laugh. Her trademark smile faltered, and a very odd look crossed her face.
Only later did I discover just who this mysterious man was, and why every guest in the room was absolutely gobsmacked. Find out more in the first comment below
Leonard wasnt just the grooms cousin. He turned out to be one of the most successful businessmen in this part of the countryhis name recognised even by those who knew little about business.
Young, respected, discreet, and cruciallysingle. Half the women at the wedding discreetly watched his every move; some longed just to catch his eye, others tried to strike up conversation, but he never spared any attention.
Until this moment.
Leonard sat next to me as though hed always belonged there. He laughed easily, leaned in close when speaking, and met my gaze with a wicked, playful smilecompletely ignoring all the envious stares flung our way.
Guests exchanged glances; a few were aghast, open-mouthed at the spectacle. Alice, meanwhile, clutched her glass as if she might smash it at any moment.
Then Leonard leaned toward me and murmured under his breath:
It must be exhausting, all these helpful suggestions. But youre nothing like the picture they paint here.
In that instant, I realised two things: firstly, I no longer felt embarrassed or cornered, and secondlythis man choosing me couldnt have been by chance.
And judging from the looks around the hall, everyone else saw it, too.
