Page 59 of Troubles

As soon as the dryer makes its awful buzz, I pull out her warm scrubs and hang them so they are ready for her in the morning.

Done with the domestic shit, I grab my rucksack and head back to have dinner with Lis, needing to carve out whatever time I can to spend with her.

35

Lis

Icatch Aidan watching me in the mirror as I swipe on a final coat of mascara. He’s laughing at my mascara face, the one everyone makes—brows up, but lids half closed, mouth open, tongue out.

“Would you stop? Making me laugh is not gonna move this process along.” I screw the tube of black goop closed and chuck it in my makeup drawer.

I am doing my very best at dragging my feet. This wedding is the last thing I want to do on this gorgeous Saturday. I just don’t want to go.

And like he can read the thoughts running through my brain, Aidan pulls my dress from the closet. “We can leave as soon as you’ve had enough. Before that, really. I’ll entertain you, make you laugh.”

He sucks a breath in, the sound hissing between his teeth, as I drop my robe and reach for my dress hanging from his finger. Aidan’s eyes take in my strapless bra in pale pink with matching lacy boy shorts, lingering lazily until he finally meets my eyes. His are dark and heavy-lidded, almost black with desire.

“I don’t see any reason for us to linger at the party after.” He steps closer as I slide my dress over my hips. With his hands on my hips, Aidan turns my back to him and slowly slides the zipper closed. He places a kiss at the back of my neck, my hair pushed to the side. My skin tingles where his lips rest and I have to concentrate really hard on why we need to leave—soon.

Pulling myself together, I step away from him and into my shoes.

“We need to go. No more distractions.”

I try to pull off sassy and all I hear is breathy and desperate.

With my hand firmly tucked in the crook of his arm, Aidan and I walk up the steps to the church. Not the church we attended on Christmas and Easter growing up. No, it’s the big showy church in town, the one that will look better in the pictures.

“Doing alright?” Aidan asks with an extra squeeze of my hand.

I blow out a shaky breath and slowly nod.

“Sure?” I’m not sure. The closer we get to the back of the church where the ushers wait to seat us, the more nervous I get. I don’t want to claim being here for either side. It’s childish, but honestly, who can blame me.

“Didn’t think you’d actually be here.” His voice is far too loud and draws way too much attention. The muscles beneath my hand tense, as Aidan recognizes Tyler, Rob’s best friend. “You here to make sure she doesn’t spill any drinks later?” he laughs and slaps Aidan’s shoulder like they’re friends. “I’ll, uh take her from here.” He winks, jutting his arm out to escort me down the aisle and the loud and obnoxious becomes absolutely uncomfortable.

Outwardly, Aidan is the image of calm and serene, but I can feel his tension as he rolls his shoulders and shifts his body between us.

“You won’t, actually.” Tyler takes a step back and stares at us, not quite sure what to do. “I’ll escort Lisbeth, if you’ll just show us where we’re to sit.”

“Fff—wherever, man. Enjoy the show, Lis.” Tyler puffs out his chest and tries to brush past Aidan to the couple behind us. What I’m sure he intended to be an intimidation, has Tyler looking like a fool as he bounces off of Aidan’s shoulder, stumbling.

This stupid exchange, the posturing, has garnered far too much attention. Whispers are rippling through the church and like the wake of a pebble dropped in a still pond, bodies stretch and turn. People are staring at me, comments hush through the church.

“What do you want, love? Shall we strut to the front of the church or take a seat back here, and not worry about it?” Aidan’s warm soft voice calms my racing heart.

I smile up at him, knowing there is no one I’d rather do this with.

“Let’s sit back here. It’ll be easier to make a quick getaway if we need.”

Aidan

The look Lisbeth’s mum tosses at her as she’s escorted down the aisle is nothing less than judgmental. I don’t understand the dynamics. They seem to thrive on judgment and condescension, going out of their way to make this strong, lovely woman doubt herself at every turn. I want to protect her—rescue her from them.

We definitely made a mistake in sitting at the back of the church. While it made perfect sense to not parade down the aisle, we do have to endure the stares and whispers of everyone as they file out after the ceremony. As guests file out, I feel Lisbeth getting tense, her discomfort floating around us like a cloud. I run my hand down her back, landing on her hip and pull her close to me.

“Do all of these people know it’s you he was dating a few months ago?” I get a stiff nod, and she reaches back for my free hand.

My phone buzzes a text notification. It’s the third one since the ceremony ended, but it’ll have to wait. When it’s finally our turn, we leave the sanctuary and make our way outside, breathing a sigh of relief when we are safely tucked into the car.

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