Page 89 of Defying Ella
EPILOGUE
Amonth later…
“Someone needs to remind the weather that the UK doesn’t do sun,” Nia groaned, collapsing into one of the seats at our booth in the back room of our usual pub.
She fanned her red face while we all agreed. We were in the middle of what was becoming a routine April heatwave and hadn’t gotten over the shock of going from mild spring days to intense heat just yet.
Honestly, we weren’t helping the situation, squashing the entire group of girls into the booth.
But then I only had two weeks left before everyone shipped out for the Pandemonium tour in North America. They’d all be gone until January. A whole nine months without my favourite people within easy reach.
Of course, we’d planned for me to fly out during university breaks, but it wouldn’t be the same.
“You all do realise the temperatures are going to be far worse in the US this summer, right?”
Sophie and Daphne chuckled while Mel, Nia and Alys glared at me.
“No need to rub it in,” Alys muttered. She crossed her arms and sat back against the leather booth. “The buses had better have working aircon this time.”
We all winced at the reminder of the two weeks we’d spent on the tour buses around Germany without aircon. You wouldn’t think it would have been a problem with the temperature outside reaching below freezing, but then factor in all the bodies hanging out and sleeping in one space and it got painfully hot some nights.
“The Brightside buses will surely be more high-tech than that rust bucket.” Nia’s gaze swivelled around the table to question us all. “Right?”
“They’re definitely not lacking the cash, that much is certain.” I shrugged, then shifted my focus to Mel, grinning like the mischievous little sister I was. She just took a sip of her wine when I asked: “Should I expect to plan a wedding when you get back?”
She spluttered across from me. Sophie slapped her on the back, sharing my amusement. The others had the grace to cover their smirks while we outright enjoyed asking the difficult questions.
“That was a low move, Ella,” she croaked.
“Maybe, but we’ve been patient long enough.” I glanced at the girls. “Right?”
A chorus of yeses followed.
She rolled her eyes, but I could see the defeat in her eyes. “We’ve talked about it and Dan understands that I want to wait a little longer before taking that step.” Her gaze fell to the table as she twisted her wine glass on the tabletop. “It’s not even been six months yet.”
We all nodded, partly understanding her resistance. In a normal relationship, getting engaged after less than six months together would be considered rushing things. Mel and Dan didn’t have a normal relationship though.
“Is it just the time making you hesitate or something else?”Sophie asked, saving me from asking the difficult question that could send her away in a frustrated strop.
She chewed her lip for a second, studying us all as her mind worked. Then the hesitation cleared and her shoulders relaxed. “Honestly, I just want to enjoy this new phase without the stress and expectations that’ll come with a ring.” She picked up her glass and took a fortifying sip. “I only just got him back. He’s still adapting and learning all of Phoebe’s quirks. I don’t want to put the focus on anything other than us for a while.” She glanced around the table, her brows furrowing. “Does that make any sense or am I talking utter nonsense?”
“I think it makes perfect sense,” Nia said. She reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “I’ll stop asking.”
“Me too.” I grinned. “I’m sure you’ll be incapable of keeping it secret when the time comes.”
Everyone laughed as Mel blushed.
“What’s so amusing?” Jared asked.
The sudden sound of his voice made me jump.
“We’re just discussing weddings,” Sophie said. She eyed him as he grabbed a seat to place at the end of our booth next to me. “When should we start planning yours?”
My turn to splutter, and Mel didn’t even try to hide her satisfaction. Jared shifted in close, barely distracting me from the pulse of panic in my chest. He rested his hand on my knee, squeezing as if it would be reassuring in this situation.
Although, it does feel nice to have him crowding in close.
“Soph,” I gasped. “Can we not add that kind of pressure right now? If anyone should be asked that question, it’s Alys.”
