Sophie.
Sweat begins to trickle down my spine. And although it’s stifling, I’m glad the suit jacket will hide my indiscretion. I wipe my brow. Please don’t let me sweat all over her when I lead her down the aisle.
With no one paying me any attention, I openly take her in as she talks to both Maddie and Flick’s mum.
I’ve not seen her since we came back from Torquay. And as much as I hate to admit it, I’ve missed her. I follow the lines of her full-length purple dress. It hugs every luscious curve, and damn if I’m not jealous of all that silk.
She glances up, and I swallow hard when her eyes catch mine. From here I can see hers, and although kind, they’re also clouded with a wary resistance. Those deep pools of blue, always fighting against an unseen current. Loose curls hang over her shoulder like thick rope, and her usual wild strands are tucked behind her ears, but I know they’re fighting to break free. The sunlight ricochets from her movements, reflecting warm, russet tones in a halo of light. Before I get the chance to acknowledge her, she glances away, smoothing the front of her dress. Even from here, I know it’s already immaculate.
Sophie
I hold my hand up to shield my eyes from the light as it reflects all around me. It’s already hot, and I’m worried this makeup won’t last the day. I’m not too concerned about my hair. I think there’s enough hairspray to keep it tamed at least until the reception. The ceremony starts at three, but it only seems to be getting hotter.
I thought it was hot yesterday while I baked Felicity those hundred mini cupcake favours she desperately wanted. But this is worse. Hopefully, they’re holding up and the buttercream hasn’t melted.
My eyes drift to the masses of guests milling around their seats. At least Flick and Nate had the good sense to set up an open gazebo over the seating area. This is, after all, England, and the weather is unpredictable. A train of ivory satin runs down the length of the aisle, bringing out the vibrant greens of the surrounding property. I can’t wait to see their tree adorned with the fairy lights once the sunsets.
The archway at the end of the aisle is wrapped in an array of flowers—a kaleidoscope of colour. I breathe in the scent of freshly cut grass and wildflowers. I’m so used to being close to the city centre, but it’s different here…on the outskirts of the country. The air has a more purified quality; it’s clean and fresh.
A baby’s cry draws my line of sight towards Rachel. She’s struggling, and I take the few steps over to her.
“You okay?” I ask.
Her eyes dart to mine. “Sorry, she’s been fussing all night. Teething.” Her head casts down again as she digs around in a bag while holding Molly on her hip.
“Do you need a hand?” I ask.
Without time to object, she passes Molly into my arms, and my stomach dips, an ache I can’t explain. I squash it down and tap the tip of her nose with my finger, then blow her a raspberry. Molly giggles, her cheeks begging for me to squeeze them. I was wary of Rachel. She used to sleep with Nate. But she’s not so bad and Flick being Flick adopted her into our circle.
“Got it!” she declares like it’s the find of the century and does a little wiggle, holding out a stuffed bunny to Molly.
“You look lovely,” I say, taking in her long, multi-coloured dress, paired off with cork and white strappy wedges.
“Thank you. If you can’t make an effort for a wedding, when can you?” Her cheeks flush a little. “I love your dress. Flick did well with her colour scheme. You look beautiful,” she says, looking me up and down with a bright smile.
I’m glad she thinks so. We spent most of the morning being made-up and having bridal party photographs taken. My jaw aches from all the smiling, but it’s worth it—Flick is happy.
An usher interrupts us to direct Rachel to where they’ll be sitting. She reaches for Molly whose bottom lip trembles.
“No, me stay,” Molly says, wriggling away from Rachel.
“Oh, it’s okay, baby girl. You’ll see Sophie later,” she says.
“Kay,” Molly says, and I smile, shaking her little chubby hand. “I’ll see you later, princess,” I say and wave as they head off to their seats.
Turning back, Flick’s little sister, Maddie, walks through the arch of the back door and skips down the steps, staring at her ballet flats with bright pink bows. On the last step, she peers out in front of her and stops. Mouth agape, her eyes glimmer with curiosity as she scans all the guests dressed in their finest.
I smile, not quite believing today is the day my best friend gets married. She deserves this and so much more.
I swallow down the sudden rush of guilt as the past attempts to collide with the present, but I won’t let it, not today. What happened to us was no more my fault than it was hers. I’m not saying she needs a man to make her happy, but Nate was her missing piece. I’m glad they found their way back to each other; if any two people belong together it’s them.
She’s been my rock for so long, and I’m humbled that today I can be the same for her. When my family disowned me, and the so-called love of my life high-tailed his way out of my life quicker than a greyhound, she was one of the few who stayed. And it’s not only because of what happened to us. Flick would have stayed anyway.
A slap on my behind causes me to blanch and spin on my heels…to find a cocky Simon staring back at me. I give him a love punch and then launch myself at him. My heart races as I squeeze him hard and breathe in his wildwood and citrus scent. I’ve missed him.
“When did you get here?” I ask, pulling back.
He glances to his Rolex and back to me. “About half an hour ago.”
“Does Flick know you’re here?” I ask, unable to wipe the smile off my face.
“Yes, she was my first port of call.” He pulls me back into him again. “I’ve missed you, sweetness. I’d best find our seats. We’ll chat after,” he says, gesturing to Ryan over his shoulder. I pull away from him to give Ryan a quick hug before they walk away.
I was so worried he wouldn’t make it in time. When he texted to say they had missed their flight but managed to get on the next available one, he said it would be tight, but he would come straight here if he had to. I breathe a sigh of relief.
My eyes roam until they collide with Charlie, and for a brief moment, everything else slows down. He’s handsome on a bad day. But today, wow. I’m drawn to his dark blonde hair—usually curling just at the ends—which has been trimmed for the occasion: short back and sides. His above-average height and build make him stand out, but even more so in a suit. His dark ocean eyes and tanned skin is more prominent against his fresh white shirt.
I feel the tell-tale signs of my skin heating, and it’s not from the weather. The last time I saw him, I woke up in his arms. Even though nothing happened, I’ve made a point to avoid him ever since. I don’t even know how to make sense of it. I blink and avert my eyes, my heart pounding a crazy, staccato beat.
Maddie pulls on my hand. Carefully, I crouch down in front of her, trying to keep my dress from touching the floor.
“You okay, Madds?”
She shakes her head, causing her ringlets to bounce over her shoulders. “I feel sick,” she replies, her eyes darting all over the place.