Page 115 of My Killer Blind Date

Before I know it, we’re sashaying down the makeshift aisle on the terrace as gentle violin music plays, and I’m catching Liam’s eye as I swoop past in my hideous pea soup dress, and I can’t help but notice he’s looking devastatingly handsome and mysterious in his tux and still-healing black eye. Arjun tears up as George walks down, and so do I, tears coursing down my cheeks and no doubt ruining the beautiful and expensive makeup job, but who cares. It’s a day full of love and joy and light, and I’m going to let myself feel the fuck out of every moment.

During the dinner, all us bridesmaids are seated with our dates. As I look out at the sea of tables, I spot Elsie, seated next to Brian the Bro. Hah! I wonder how that’ll go. Poorly, I hope – for him. Liam and I don’t have a chance to talk much since speeches are happening as we eat our lobster and tiny fancy vegetables, but we hold hands under the table. When George’s dad makes me cry yet again, Liam throws an arm around me and pulls me in tight.

After dinner, the sun is going down, and the event room off the terrace is cleared for dancing. As the light fades and the shadows lengthen over the darkening blue waters of Lake Michigan, the DJ gets the party going, and Liam gives me an inquisitive look and jerks a thumb toward dance floor.

‘I need an ibuprofen for that!’ I joke as my entire body protests the very concept of movement.

‘You’re in luck,’ he shouts above the pounding music, pulling a container out of his pocket. We both pop some pain meds and then hit the floor with enthusiasm.

Holy shit Liam is full of energy tonight, and he is coming to the dance floor with full commitment. We join a dance circle with the other bridesmaids, and Liam must be crazy because he does a body worm in the center of the circle, which – dear God that can’t feel good on his healing ribs. But everyone loses their minds, and a random wedding guest leans in and says with obvious lust in her voice, ‘So is that your boyfriend?’ and I say ‘Yes’ very loudly.

George checks on me once or twice and leans close to shout, ‘You holding up?’

And I squeeze her hand and shout back ‘Are you holding up?’ and we both grin.

Then she’s swept away by the festivities, doing the rounds to say hi to everyone, which is as it should be, but we do have one moment where we’re both dancing our asses off, sweaty, and our song comes on – Justin Bieber’s ‘Sorry’ – and we squeal and shake it and do our little routine, and at the end she flings her arms around me and I smother my face into her neck and say, ‘I love you,’ and she says, ‘I know, bitch,’ and pinches my ass, and we both laugh, and I know that I am so lucky to have someone like this on my side. For a whiff of a breath, I even think, maybe it’s all gonna be OK. After a shit ton of therapy, of course. And Pinot Grigio.

Then, Liam and I go for it again, and ‘Jump Around’ comes on and there’s practically a mosh pit, with Liam at the center. I get shoved away from him, but I need a little hydration break anyway. I head back to the table where I left my purse and take a long drink of water. I’m pulling out my phone to take some pictures when I notice a missed call and voicemail from an unknown number.

Liam is still king of the mosh pit, so I head outside to the terrace to listen to the voicemail.

It’s not quite dark, but all the lights in the yachts have blinked on, and it looks like Lake Michigan is decked in jewels. The terrace is scattered with wedding guests drinking and talking, but I find a quiet corner.

I hit play and a male voice plays back.

‘Hi Margot, this is Brooke Walsh’s husband. I just wanted to personally thank you for everything you’ve done for Brooke and me. You may not be aware of this, but I’d offered a ten thousand dollar reward for any tips leading to her recovery. Obviously you went above and beyond. You actually saved her life.’ There’s an emotional pause. ‘Brooke and I would like to gift you fifty thousand dollars. We owe you everything. Give me a call so I can get our accountant to cut you a check. And thanks again. God bless.’

Holy shit.

The money I need to beef up my loan application.

Suddenly I notice Liam come out the terrace doors. I’m about to wave at him when I notice he’s on the phone himself, walking briskly to the opposite end of the terrace.

I turn back to the view of the water and the lights. A breathy wind from the lake sweeps through my hair, disturbing the loose strands around my face. Damn. Fifty thousand dollars just dropped out of the sky. This call is one of those life-changing moments. The coffee shop could actually happen now. Present Margot might actually become Future Margot. My heart might literally burst.

‘Hey,’ says a voice after a minute – Liam, hands in his pockets, looking adorably mussed from his efforts on the dance floor, the top button on his shirt undone, showcasing a V of sweaty skin.

‘Hey,’ I say as he joins me, facing the lake.

‘Everything OK?’

‘Yeah …’ I let out a disbelieving laugh. ‘It turns out there was a reward for finding Brooke … and it’s a lot of money.’ I swallow, not sure how to say it. ‘I’m kind of rich all of a sudden?’

Liam’s smile is immediate. ‘You deserve it. Maybe I need to reward you too, for saving my life.’

‘Do you have fifty thousand dollars lying around?’ I tease.

‘No, but I have something else you like …’ He gives me a very wicked look, and a little shiver goes through me.

‘Everything OK with your phone call?’ I ask.

‘Yeah … work related. Actually—’ He scans my face. ‘I have an assignment I’m thinking of taking in Cincinnati. It might take me out of town for a couple months.’

I try not to let any disappointment show on my face. ‘OK.’

‘Hey,’ he says softly. ‘You could come.’

‘Like – leave town for months and … live with you?’