Chapter 197: Cheap Shots

He rubbed lightly at his temple. "Bit of a headache. Too much champagne." Dorian avoided her eyes.

Naomi had seen this coming long before he opened his mouth.

Seeing Ginny actually leave made it final.

"Babe?"

"Hmmm..." Dorian answered, though he still didn’t move.

"You know you’re Ginny’s favourite brother."

"I’m her only brother."

"Yeah, yeah. Technicality." Naomi waved that away. "What I mean is, do you honestly believe she won’t be searching for your face before she leaves? You want to break her heart? She’s going to look for you."

He shrugged. "She doesn’t need me anymore."

"Oh, she’ll always need you. Always."

Dorian looked away. "She has Oliver now. That changes things."

"Of course it changes things." Naomi stepped in front of him properly, making sure he had no choice but to look at her. "It’s supposed to. That’s what marriage does. It changes things, but it doesn’t erase everything that came before." Naomi placed a hand over his chest. "She loves you."

"And she needs you right now even if she doesn’t show it, because she has to keep up appearances and smile for everyone and look happy, this is still a big change for her. She’s leaving the home she grew up in. She’s walking into a different life. And yes, she’s happy. Of course she’s happy. But happy doesn’t mean she isn’t scared or emotional or overwhelmed."

"She needs to know that you’re there even if she falls. Just like you have always done, in your unfeeling, macho way." She knew she had won the moment he adjusted his jacket.

Dorian turned and headed outside.

Outside, the newlyweds were already saying their final goodbyes. Family and friends had gathered near the car, phones held up, voices carrying through the evening as Ginny hugged one person after another.

Dorian walked toward them with both hands tucked into his pockets. He moved to stand beside Maurice.

The old man was holding himself together almost exactly the same way Dorian was.

Quietly miserable that the little girl they had watched grow up was leaving with another man.

Ginny hugged Eleanor one last time.

Oliver waited beside the open car door, giving Ginny all the time she needed.

Eventually, she turned toward the vehicle.

Dorian’s chest tightened.

So this was it.

She wasn’t moving to another planet. She would still call, still visit.

But watching her take those final few steps toward the car made every rational thought completely useless.

Ginny placed one hand on the door and stopped. Her eyes moved through the crowd.

Dorian knew exactly when she found him. He pulled one hand from his pocket and gave her a small wave.

Ginny turned away from the car and walked straight back toward him.

"Don’t keep your husband waiting."

Ginny stopped in front of him and smiled. "I’ll be fine." she reassured him.

"I know. I know." Dorian shoved both hands back into his pockets because suddenly he had absolutely no idea what to do with them. "I’m just jealous, I guess."

"I’m always going to be your baby." she glanced toward Maurice. "Both your babies."

Dorian leaned down slightly so only Ginny could hear him. "If he hurts you, kill him. You have a damned good lawyer."

Ginny smacked him squarely in the chest. "You’re so morbid."

"Go," Dorian said before the moment became any more emotional than he could tolerate.

Ginny smiled at him one last time, then turned and slipped her hand into Oliver’s.

Dorian watched as Oliver helped her into the car before getting in beside her. The vehicle pulled away slowly, surrounded by cheers and waving hands, carrying the newlyweds off toward whatever came next.

Their happily ever after.

At least Dorian hoped so.

He stood there until the car disappeared from sight.

Only then did he turn around.

Naomi was standing just inside the entrance of the hall. She hadn’t followed him outside. She had given him the moment he needed with Ginny. She understood him in ways that were becoming increasingly inconvenient.

He had just started toward her when an elderly woman appeared from nowhere and blocked his path.

"Dorian!"

He stopped.

Oh no.

His old aunt raised her fan and immediately began swatting him with it.

"You wicked boy!"

"Aunt—"

"When last did you come to visit?"

"I’ve been busy."

"Busy doing what?"

Another swat.

"Working."

"Working! Working! Is that what you call forgetting your family?" and the drama continued.

Naomi headed toward the buffet line, wanting to make one final check before the reception fully wound down.

Everything had gone beautifully. The food had held.

The servers had done exactly what they were supposed to do.

There had been no disasters, no shortages.

A hand suddenly closed around her arm.

Camille yanked Naomi slightly aside, away from the nearest cluster of guests. "You have made yourself the wrong enemy. Someone tweeted your little accusation. I will have your head," she whispered.

"Then come for it."

Camille’s eyes narrowed. "Look at you." Her gaze travelled deliberately over Naomi’s dress, the jewellery, the rings on her hand. "Riding high on the status of a man. You’ve got nothing of your own. Everything you are, everything you have, Dorian made you."

The words landed differently than the earlier threats.

Camille didn’t know about the years Naomi had spent surviving without Dorian.

The stubborn refusal to stay down every time life found another way to hit her.

"You are a disgusting leech," Camille continued. "A gold digger. And I swear to God, I will expose you for what you truly are. I will make sure Dorian sees what you are, and then everyone will see what you are without him. Nothing."

Before Naomi could say anything, Camille turned and hurried away. If the truth was being told, Camille’s words cut deeper than Naomi wanted to admit.

Every good thing that had happened in her life lately seemed somehow tied to Dorian. The sense of safety.

The freedom to breathe. Even this wedding, had become easier because Dorian had stepped in the moment things went wrong and refused to let her drown.

So yes, Camille had landed the blow exactly where she intended. That didn’t mean Naomi had to bleed.

Over time, Naomi had grown very thick skin.

Naomi headed toward the buffet tables and immediately slipped back into work mode, scanning the trays, checking quantities and making sure none of the stations were running low. She made a mental note to check on Tessa behind the scenes.

Tessa had helped her rearrange everything, taken on more than Naomi originally intended.

Naomi was still watching the buffet when a voice came from beside her.

"You should try it instead of simply glancing at everything."