Ben and Kate returned to the hall to find everyone moving to their assigned seating. The noise of six hundred people chatting filled the space and he ran his finger around his collar, to relieve the pressure of his shirt against his neck.

Surprisingly, Kate still held his hand and he pretended not to notice. He stopped and turned to her. “I’m joining the wedding party.” He pointed to the notice board, “You need to check which table you’re at.” He knew she had been seated at table seven but said nothing.

“Thank you, Ben.” She removed her hand and faced him. “You were right that I should be here.”

“Thank you,” he said with sincerity. “I’ll see you on the dance floor.” His head cocked towards the large space assigned for dancing.

“You and Lisa used to dance all the time. Remember how you two led the dancing at school?”

Ben smiled, remembering the fun he and his cousin had teaching his school friends and instructing others on fun, group Israeli dancing.

“There will be a lot of separated dancing at the beginning, Lisa’s requested at least twenty minutes at the start of the evening.”

“I may not have danced for years but I’m sure the steps will come back to me.” She gave him a soft smile. “I’ll see you later,” she said. Later at the wedding, or later after the wedding? He didn’t know. The romantic mush of the day was messing with his head because for a moment, he wanted to see her again.

Clenching his teeth together at his foolish thoughts, he made his way to where the bridal party was waiting.

* * *

Despite the angst of seeing Ben again, Kate was actually enjoying herself at the reception. The guests at her assigned table were of a similar age to her, all professionals and chatty. With the excellent food, uplifting music, dancing and well-written speeches, Kate was feeling relaxed and happy. When getting ready that afternoon, she hadn’t expected to have such a fun time.

A twinge of jealousy wormed its way into her belly as she watched the joy on Lisa’s face as she and Gabe cut the wedding cake. They were so perfect for each other, giving each other looks of searing love that made her muscles clench. Would she ever have a wedding with a husband who adored her?

Until today, it never bothered her to be single, but watching the love that flowed between Lisa and Gabe made her tummy tumble with longing. She would love a man to look at her with such adoration.

Leaning back against her chair, she watched the married couple walk to the dance floor before holding each other close and swaying to the music. Unlike couples who practised a special dance for the wedding, Lisa and Gabe seemed quite content to gaze at each other on the dance floor, blissfully ignoring the hundreds of guests watching them.

At the end of the song, people were encouraged to dance, and Kate could see Ben dancing with one of the bridesmaids. She wasn’t sure if it was the bridal joy and happiness, or just a need to fix things, but Kate stood and, without thinking, walked straight over to the man she’d once loved—Ben.

“Excuse me,” she said politely to the young woman Ben was dancing with. “Would you mind?”

The woman lifted her brow, before shaking her head and walking away.

Kate placed one hand on Ben’s shoulder and her other hand in his.

“This is a surprise,” he said as he danced her slowly towards the centre of the room so they were “engulfed” by the other couples.

“I just had a sudden need to speak to you,” she said with honesty. “There’s a lot of love flowing around in this room and it seems to have rubbed off on me.” She paused. “Don’t let any of my colleagues know,” she said in a conspiratorial whisper.

“Your secret is safe with me.” He chuckled. “What’s up?”

“I’m sorry I hurt you all those years ago. I-I, um, I just didn’t want to stay in Melbourne and get married. The place stifled me, and I had to get away. I did the right thing for me but I’m sorry, truly sorry that you were hurt in my need to find myself and get away.” There, she’d said it, opened her heart which was usually firmly closed. “We wouldn’t have been happy.”

The skin between his eyes creased. “Why do you say that?”

“You want someone to settle down with, have a family with, do your charity work with.” She drew in a deep breath and honestly said, “I don’t know if I want any of that. I love what I do. Besides, I prefer helping people with free legal advice, rather than working in a soup kitchen,” she added in a low voice. “Lawyers are expensive and I get satisfaction working at a legal aid office each month.”

“That’s a noble way of donating,” he said.

She was surprised to see acknowledgement, inspiration and rejection flicker across his eyes. Despite the skin tightly drawn along his jaw line, he continued to hold and lead her around the dance floor.

Unlike most of his friends, Ben was a good dancer, something she’d forgotten till now. He expertly moved her around the space, avoiding colliding with other couples.

He was quiet, but she knew he was thinking about what she’d said as his eyes had clouded from blue to grey.

The music played on. When she’d come over to speak with Ben, she hadn’t thought about what it would be like being in is arms again. She hadn’t anticipated the burning need that had fired in her belly while a flood of memories assailed her, reminding her of their school dances when he was the only boy for her.

A waft of his aftershave teased her nostrils and she could feel the firm muscles in his torso despite the suit he wore. If she closed her eyes, she could pretend they were back in high school, stealing kisses when they thought no one was looking.

In their final year of school, despite studying for their exams, they’d spent every spare minute together. They’d been inseparable and it had only been right that they’d become lovers. Each of them giving their virginity to the other. At the time, they’d pledged to love each other always. But she’d broken her promise in the desperate need to get away from her mother and the constraints of her family life.

She cleared the memory and focussed on the now.

“Kate, I never expected you–”

“You wanted me to give up my goals and dedicate myself to your charity work,” she interrupted him with a rush of words.

“No, I’d never do that to you,” he said with a shake of his head.

“I’m sorry that. . .” she stumbled as though looking for the right words. Taking a deep breath, she said, “I love my career.”

“I know you love your career,” he said in a clipped voice. “You loved it more than me.”

She shook her head slowly, wondering why she couldn’t explain herself better. As a lawyer, she had the gift of the gab and until now, never had problems in arguing her case or speaking with conviction. “It’s not like that.”

“Yes, it is,” he interrupted with a resolute voice. “Thanks for the apology. But you know that I would’ve waited for you. You didn’t want to compromise.”

“We were eighteen,” she said with frustration. Why couldn’t he see that they had been young, too young to be making such decisions.

“I loved you. And I still would’ve today. You’re beautiful, smart and self-assured. I know that if we were still together, I would’ve loved you today as much as when we were in high school.”

Shock made her jaw drop. “I-I just don’t know what to say.”

“There’s nothing to say,” he said softly.

The pain in his blue eyes made her heart still and she stopped dancing. “I made the right decision,” she said again, with forced determination.

“You made the right decision for you. Unfortunately, you didn’t make the right decision for us.” His forehead creased with regret. “Don’t remind me again of our age. People fall in love at different stages of their lives. The right person comes when the right person comes. It just happens. For Lisa, it was at thirty, for me it was at eighteen.”

Kate bit her trembling lip, her throat was clogged with emotion and a pile of what-if questions.

He held her hands. “But it’s okay Kate. I’ve moved on and found love with someone new. I guess you can fall in love with more than one person in your life.” His voice was filled with hope and new-found belief.

Shock and surprise made her gasp. “You. . .” her lashes fluttered. “You’re with someone? Well, of course you would be. You’re a catch.”

“Thank you,” he said stiffly, yet politely.

“Is she here?” She asked looking around the room.

“No, she’s um, she’s in Melbourne.” He paused. “She couldn’t get the time off work.”

She felt that she’d been hit with a tidal wave of emotion which was pretty stupid. She’d rejected Ben. What had she expected, that he’d never be with someone else? Of course not.

She knew he’d dated, seen it on social media but it had never bothered her till now. Why? She didn’t know.

“Tell me about her?” She asked in a stilted voice.

“We’ve been together for six months and when I return to Melbourne, in February, I’ll be asking her to marry me.”

Marry? The idea of Ben marrying made her lungs deflate. All the air whooshed out and she could only stare at him.

He chuckled. “Don’t tell anyone, this trip is all about Lisa.”

She nodded, the muscles in her neck were tight, strangling her vocal cords. “Of course.”

He gathered her in his arms, keeping a respectful distance between them and they started to dance again, this time no words were passed between them.

* * *

Ben held Kate in his arms and knew to outsiders that it looked like two friends were catching up for a dance. But his heart was shredded and he intended on heading to the bar for a double whiskey as soon as he could.

Hearing Kate confess and try to fix the mistakes of the past was a relief and painful at the same time. Twelve years later and she still couldn’t see the hurt she’d inflicted on him.

He’d meant what he’d said but now he wanted to get away, physically and emotionally. The idea of a fake fiancé had come to him suddenly and it seemed like the perfect excuse to create distance between them.

The song finished and he knew this was the time to say goodbye forever. He didn’t want to be dragged through obstacles to fail again. He’d had enough romantic setbacks with Kate. It was time to move on, help Lisa with her work, then return to Melbourne and find someone special.

“Thank you for the dance and the apology.” He lifted her hand, and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. He couldn’t bear the thought of pressing his lips to her cheek. It was too close to her lips. Taking a polite step backwards he added, “Goodbye Kate.”

She looked at him with longing and he was worried there might be a flicker of her wanting to rekindle. . . something. He wasn’t sure and certainly didn’t want to find out. It would never work.

“Bye Ben,” she said softly.

He walked as quickly as he could to the bar and ordered a drink, which he finished in two large swallows. He blew out a long breath as the amber alcohol burned its way down to his belly.

A hand clapped his shoulder and he turned around to find the comforting face of his father, Gordon. “You okay?” He could see real concern around the lines of his eyes and mouth.

“Been better,” he answered truthfully. He’d always been close to his parents, no use in lying now.

“Are you going to see Kate again?” The older man’s head jerked towards the dance floor.

“No. We just had a dance for old times’ sake. I’ll help Lisa out and then be home in February. Of all times to be in New York, I’m here in winter, missing out on summer.” He joked lightly, trying to ease the mood.

“If you want to talk, give me a call later. We’re here for a week but with all the family gatherings. . .” His voice trailed.

Ben knew. With the large contingent of Australians here for the wedding, the groom’s family, the Olivaris, had generously organised a number of family events including dinners, theatre outings and sightseeing to welcome them all. It had been a wonderful opportunity for the two families to get to know each other and bond over the joy of the nuptials.

“Thanks Dad, I’ll be fine.” He rubbed his eyes with the balls of his palms. “It was a shock and surprise to see Kate today, even though I knew she’d be here. I’m thirty, not eighteen.”

“Mum and I know how much her leaving hurt you. We can still worry about you, even if you are thirty.” He gave his son a warm embrace. “Either dance with your mother or with one of the young women over there. Don’t stand here and mope.”

“You’re right,” he said, giving his dad a tight smile.

“This is one helluva party. You’re young, go and have fun,” his father said, gently nudging him towards the dance floor.

He’d moved on and dated over the years; just because he hadn’t found the right woman for him, didn’t mean that he never would. Look at his cousin Lisa, she’d found love when she’d least expected it and in New York of all places.

The band continued to play catchy songs and the guests danced. Time to mingle and forget about Kate, their history and the apologies they’d each made.