Page 40 of Lily, Unwritten

Lydia gasped. “That’ll be beautiful! Are you going to put a marquee in the garden?”

We laughed as we nodded and shared our plans. The next couple of hours passed in a blissful blur of wedding and birthday talk. I’d never felt part of such a big, happy group before. It was incredible. I felt loved. So complete. Luke had been absolutely right, my future with Zack was beautiful.

I facetimed my mum and dad, sad that they couldn’t be here to share the moment, but neither of them was keen on flying, and I knew there’d be more celebrations when we got home. As soon as the call ended, Hannah shouted over.

“How many bridesmaids are you having, Lily?” Her face was full of mischief as suddenly, four stunning brunettes and a cheeky blonde all turned to me with intense gazes and hopeful faces.

I blushed at the attention. “Erm, I don’t think I need any with it just being at the house and?—”

“Lily Forshaw!” Cassie pointed her finger at me as she sternly spoke my name. “This is your chance to get revenge for that blue monstrosity I made you wear at my wedding. I demand a vile bridesmaids dress.”

I smiled broadly as I looked around at all their faces. “You all want to be bridesmaids?” Lots of nodding and chorused variations of ‘yes’ met me. “I guess, I’ll have five bridesmaids then, and two flower girls.” I glanced at Ruby and Emilia; how adorable would they be? “Maybe page boys, too?”

A multitude of whoops and cheers rang out as we ended up in a giant, girly hug. Prosecco splashed down tops and hair got tangled in earrings. Zack looked on in amusement. “I always wanted a girlfriend who liked my sisters, but this is too far.”

As we all sat back down, Lydia refilled glasses, never happier than when looking after her family. Maisie looked towards Zack, “Have you chosen a best man?”

“I haven’t asked him yet, but it’ll be Adam.” Zack took a long drink from a cold beer bottle. A drop of condensation dripped onto his arm and I momentarily longed to lick it off. The heat was doing strange things to me.

“Please, please, please invite all those hot Icelandic guys,” begged Leah with a cheeky grin. Her dad did not look impressed. The twin babies of the family were one hundred percent out of bounds to boys as far as Zack’s dad, Harry, was concerned.

We stayed out by the pool until well after the sunset. Ruby and Emilia had, as always, gravitated towards Zack, and were fast asleep, cuddled up to him on a large outdoor sofa. Everyone seemed content together, warm, tipsy, and full of hope and happiness. I wanted life to feel like this, always.

Fourteen

“Happy birthday, beautiful,” I murmured, still half asleep as I sensed Zack begin to stir. “I don’t know how I’m ever meant to compete with your birthday ABC though.”

“Are you kidding me?” He sat up and leant on his arm. “Arranging all of this? It’s the best birthday. You are going to wander around all day in a tiny bikini, aren’t you?”

I slapped him across the chest playfully. “Maybe if it was just us. I think we had enough awkward moments yesterday, didn’t we?”

“If it was just us, you’d be wearing precisely nothing…” He pulled my t-shirt over my head.

“Erm, Zachary.” He laughed lightly, causing me to grin. The mischievous part of me loved the effect his name had on him. “Happy birthday,” I kissed down his chest, pulling the thin covers over my head as birthday present number one began.

Lydia had arranged a delicious and extravagant birthday breakfast. A huge table was set out by the pool once again. It overflowed with pastries of every variety and fresh fruit platters. One whole section was dedicated to juices and, of course, coffee. Zack was worse than me without caffeine. There were balloons, presents, and cards everywhere. I took hundreds of photographs to capture Zack’s face on this happy day. His smile so wide; those dark eyes so alive as they sparkled with happiness. I loved seeing him in sexy work suits, but the difference now was striking – his whole body was relaxed, a sun-soaked sheen settled on his skin. It very much suited him; we needed time out like this more often.

I sat to one side, helping the kids do some colouring as Zack opened gifts with his sisters. They were such a gorgeous family; I adored each and every one of them. How lucky was I to be accepted by them the way I had been? I felt like a stuck record, but the facts kept hitting me. My upbringing had been lovely, I couldn’t have wished for more, but I had been lonely for company at times. I can’t imagine anyone ever felt that way growing up in the Beaumont household.

Hannah came and sat next to me. “I’m glad you two set a date. It’s a brilliant idea to have the wedding at the new house. What a start to your future.”

“It really is. He’s such a sweetheart. It was all Zack’s idea, I adore it.” I smiled as I looked across at him. My heart fluttered; I hoped that never wore off.

The younger and more energetic members of the family jumped into and out of the pool, the sounds of their splashes and shouts echoing around the beautiful terrace. As soon as we had enough caffeine in us, Zack and I moved onto birthday champagne. He was still opening cards and gifts. There were lots I’d brought from home. He opened a large card that was from everyone at Caddel & Boone; I knew they still missed him – I was always being asked for updates. There was a generous gift card for his favourite master barber shop, as well as a mysterious USB. “It’s probably a silly birthday message,” he said. “I’ll watch it later.”

Everyone spent the day lazing and playing by the pool, it was heaven. There was also a gorgeous hot tub, which I really wanted to get Zack alone in at some point.

We’d decided to go out together on a date that night, and I’d made reservations at a well-rated restaurant in the nearest town. Taxis were booked, seductive underwear was on, we were good to go.

The heat, however, was not a friend to my hair, I was in frizz meltdown, and as I faffed with straighteners in the bathroom, Zack sat on the bed with his laptop to watch the USB. I don’t know what it was at the moment but he looked incredible, the perfect mix of handsome and rugged, yet completely stylish.

Five minutes later, hair tamed, I tottered back into the bedroom, wanting to impress Zack with my little black dress and very high heels. I hadn’t quite had the chance to get a tan yet, but there was still time.

Zack was still on the bed, but he looked as though the life had been drained out of him. His finger hovered over the laptop keyboard, his skin pale as snow, far from the tan he’d been developing.

“Zack, what’s wrong?” I asked as I hurried over.

He looked at me, his eyes narrowed. “Lily… What the fuck is this?” His finger hit the laptop hard as he clicked on a file.

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