Page 83 of That Secret Something

Tyler’s brother offered his arm. “You ready?”

All Lily’s and Tyler’s family and friends were awaiting our arrival. I sucked in a deep breath and let it go. I’d rather have walked with Rebecca down the aisle, but her camerawoman duties demanded her attention. I looked up at Ben, a slightly taller and rounder version of his brother, and smiled. “Let’s do it.”

We stepped through the doors and onto the wooden decking. A hundred faces turned towards us, their expressions a mix of joy and awe. I tried not to focus on anyone in particular, fearing that the distraction might cause a misstep and a fall into the water, but I couldn’t miss the mad waving of a woman dressed all in purple. I gave her a smile, wondering if she thought I was someone else, and focused on my steps forward.

The peach and pink theme was beautiful, and I felt a swell of pride as Ben and I approached the wedding arch at the end of the aisle. Sunlight glinted off the water beside us, the gentle voices of the birds barely audible above the flow of the music.

My breath hitched when my eyes caught on Rebecca waiting beside the arch. Her face was obscured by her camera, and a navy blue suit was sculpted to her body like a second skin. The peach tie and pocket square perfectly matched my own dress, which swished around my calves. She looked up from the lens, pinning me with her beautiful green gaze.

Any worries I’d had about tripping and accidentally pushing Ben over the railing evaporated. I felt safe now I’d seen her. And even with all these people surrounding us, it was as if we were the only two people on the veranda.

Ben and I reached the end of the aisle and split up, as we’d rehearsed yesterday, each taking our places beside the wedding arch.

Rebecca leaned close to me, her cherry scent filling my senses. “You look beautiful, baby.”

My insides flip-flopped; I was still not used to her calling me that.

Before I could respond, Rebecca was back in photographer mode, snapping pictures of Shay and Amy as they floated down the aisle, linking arms with two more of Tyler’s groomsmen.

I spotted Mum on the left with Sausage lying by her feet and gave her a smile. As Shay and Amy joined me, the band’s tune drifted to a close, quickly followed by a new arrangement. My heart stuttered, waiting for Lily to come through the doors. So much had been leading up to this moment. So much had changed in these few months. I wanted it to be perfect.

The guests all rose, audible gasps and murmurs drifting through the crowd as Lily turned the corner, Mr Lawson holding her arm. The dress had looked stunning in the bridal shop, but now, with Lily’s make-up perfect and her hair adorned with gypsophila, I’d never seen my best friend more beautiful—or happier. Mr Lawson looked like he was on the verge of tears, and Sally was already streaming in the front row, where Lily’s grandma offered her tissues.

My eyes locked on Lily’s uncle, swaying at the back. He’d stunk like a whisky distillery as soon as he arrived and had attempted to light three cigars, despite it being a no-smoking venue. Just as he was about to start off a domino run with the guests beside him, Lily’s aunt propped him back up.

I blew out a breath and turned my attention to Tyler. His ginger curls had some product in them that made them look effortlessly styled, but his smile was what caught my eye. It grew even bigger the closer Lily walked towards him, and when she joined his side, my throat thickened.

The sun poked out from behind the clouds, lighting everything in a golden hue. The flowers were arranged perfectly, adorning the arch, the railings, and the beautiful bouquet in Lily’s hands. The adoration on her and Tyler’s faces, and the happiness radiating off them in waves, made all the stress and the sleepless nights worth it.

I’d always wanted someone to look at me like that. And as Rebecca manoeuvred herself to take more pictures, our eyes locked, and I realised that I had.

Rebecca threw a wink my way, and my stomach flooded with excited jitters. How was this my life?

The vows were exchanged, the papers signed, and then the celebrations really began. Champagne flowed from glass to glass, laughter and congratulations filling every conversation. The band played while Rebecca snapped photos of the newlyweds, and the guests milled around, overlooking the water.

Mum and Sausage came to stand beside me. Her gaze followed my own. “They look so happy, don’t they?” she murmured.

“Yeah, they do.”

“Or are you smiling stupidly at someone else?”

My head whipped to Mum, equally confused and impressed by her directness. Her expression gave nothing away though; she had the best poker face in the whole of the north. She’d dressed in an ankle-length forest green dress, even taking time to style her hair so that it curled at the tips. It suited her, but it was also strange to see her outside her usual attire of a baggy T-shirt and jeans.

Sausage let out a huge sigh at her ankles, drawing some attention from the guests. Clearly he wasn’t a fan of all this socialising—or the cute red bow-tie. I bent down to fuss him, and his tail beat against the decking in loud thumps. I’d convinced Lily to let him be part of the wedding, with the agreement he would wear something cute and be home before the food arrived.

“See, it’s not so bad, is it?” I fussed over him, before turning to Mum. “Where’s Mike?” I asked.

“He’s finishing work and then coming to take Sausage home. He’ll be back for the evening do.” She smiled and turned to look out over the water. “That man is obsessed with this dog. I swear Sausage is the glue holding us all together.”

I laughed, finding some truth in her statement. Sausage was an integral part of our family. “It’s nice.” I swallowed, feeling suddenly shy. “I’m glad you’ve found someone who makes you happy.”

“And I’m happy you patched things up with Rebecca. You deserve some happiness too. And I’m sure she’ll keep your hands full.” She nodded towards Rebecca, who was trying to get Tyler to pretend to throw Lily over the railing, so she could get a funny photo.

I laughed. “Yeah, I think so too, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

After a few glasses of bubbly, finishing with Lily’s uncle dropping his tin of cigars into the water, the wedding staff escorted us into the hall for the wedding breakfast. Rebecca and I were seated at the top table with Tyler, Lily, and their parents. A crystal chandelier hung from the centre of the room, casting diamonds on the walls. Dark wooden beams gave the place character, and the warm cream walls oozed elegance. The guests gathered around their circular tables, admiring the centrepieces I’d painstakingly made.

Rebecca brushed her leg against mine under the table, and heat burned at her touch. I slid my hand up her thigh, feeling her tense. Our eyes locked, and that famous Rebecca Lawson smirk tugged at my heart. Nobody was watching us—everyone was caught up in their own conversations at their respective tables—but I couldn’t resist the opportunity to touch her and gain a reaction.

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