Regardless of what Nick might have thought, Maree was not any more prepared to see him than he was to see her.

It had been logical to assume that he would be present at his own sister's wedding, but somehow she had been able to convince herself that she would be able to avoid him.

It was not to be that way.

She was dancing with a group of friends when a slow song came on. Maree turned to go back to her table and nibble on her meal, which she hadn't much felt like eating, when she bumped smack into Nick.

Instinct told her to run, but Nick, who obviously didn't want to cause a scene (or make anyone besides her feel uncomfortable), simply pulled her into his arms and danced with her.

Memories and sensations that she thought she'd forgotten long ago flooded back. All that they'd been through, and all that she had lost. It had been all her fault, and suddenly she remembered how much she regretted what she'd done.

She missed him so much. The only thing that kept her going through that dance was the thought that he must be at least a little affected by this.

But when the song ended he merely walked away, without a word.