I give him the most polite smile I’m able to, given the circumstances, and he leans in to kiss my cheek before doing the same to Elle.
“I must say, I’m surprised to see you here.”
At first, I look around to find out who he’s talking to, until he continues.
“I thought you’d be at home, mending a broken heart.” His words and the sympathy dripping from them doesn’t make sense.
“I’m sorry?”
“Your engagement was called off?” He darts a look to Elle and back to me again. “Wasn’t it?”
“No, it bloody wasn’t.” I scan the crowd again, suddenly feeling sick. “What are you talking about.”
“I’m … I’m so sorry. I must have misinterpreted.”
“Misinterpretedwhatexactly?” Elle asks, planting her hands on her hips.
“Uh, I’m not … I’m not sure I want to say.”
“You better start speaking.”
Darcy glances back over his shoulder, hands raised. “I’m not looking to get in the middle of anything …”
“No, you just, what? Decided to swoop in and help yourself to the carcass of their allegedly ruined relationship?”
“That’s not it at all,” he throws back with more bite than I’ve seen from him. I’d be borderline impressed if I wasn’t reeling over whatever the hell this all is. “I’m here as a concerned friend. Nothing more.”
“I appreciate your concern, but it’s for nothing. I’m still very much engaged, thank you.”
Confusion ripples his brow. “Of course. You would know more about your relationship than anyone else would, but … perhaps you should talk to your mother.” He gives me a significant look.
And before I can ask anything else, he turns on his heel and walks off.
Elle watches him go. “Chances that this is one of those things we do where he’s making up a rumor to fuck with us?”
“When have you ever known Darcy Ritcherson to have a sense of humor?”
“Bloody hell. Why would Mom say something like that?”
“I don’t know, but it isn’t filling me with the warm fuzzies where my relationship is concerned.”
“Think she said something to Christian?”
Considering I haven’t seen him for close to an hour now? “Almost certainly.”
“Let’s go burn the wench.”
“Maybe we should find out what actually happened, before we contemplate arson,” I suggest.
“If you want, but if the years of being raised by them doesn’t make you jump to the worst possible conclusion, you’re far more emotionally adjusted than I thought.” She slants a look at me. “I don’t think I can trust someone who has their shit together.”
“Luckily the man Iwillbe marrying is chaotic enough for us both.” I hope. The ache in my chest is building by the second though.
“You couldn’t have picked me a more perfect brother-in-law.”
“Of course. Because the whole reason I’m marrying Christian is for you.”
“It seems the most plausible reason.” Elle waves a hand. “Who cares about money and poor people when you could be making me happy?”