The Only Choice (The Choices Trilogy #3) (27 page)

“Bets I can’t.” She holds the ring in her palm. She knows I have never taken it off, not in four years, not once.

“Don’t think you have a choice, Miss ‘you have to be at the church in forty minutes.’” I raise my brow as a challenge because faced with this, there really isn’t a choice for the sometime superstitious Sofia.

“It’s a borrow though, a blue and a borrow. I can’t keep it.” She is adamant and I’m pleased because I couldn’t really bare to let it go.

“I’ll pick it up when we meet before the honeymoon and before I leave on my travels.” I wink and head for the door.

“Your travels? Well, you are definitely not travelling without telling me every detail young lady!” She shouts after me and I shout back passing her Dad, stopping to give him a brief peck on his pride filled cheek.

“Wouldn’t dream of it!” I reply and dash into my room for my two minute turnaround.

This wedding is very much a mix of traditional to appease her older relatives and modern to appease the bride. She wanted a new dress in favour of the traditional handed down gown and looking at her on the arm of Paul as they walk down the aisle toward the priest, she definitely made the right choice. She is stunning, breath-taking and all those other adjectives that fall short on such occasions. I stand at the front just beside Marco, his Mum and Dad and without exception we all have watery eyes. I squeeze Milly’s hand not sure why when she gives me a look that is confused and judgemental but she smiles when she realises my hand had nothing to do with a reprimand. The small church is crammed to the trusses with family and friends, standing room only at the back. Every exposed column and beam has been knotted and entwined with miles of ivory silk ribbon; flowers thread the aisle and fragrance the room with a subtle sweet scent. Paul fails miserably at his only job, to be the blank canvas for the bride because he looks sharp and elegant in his navy Armani suit. He also fails to hide is pride and pleasure as he escorts his future wife to the altar sporting the biggest smile I have ever seen.

The ceremony is simple and once the glass is broken, the applause and cheers are deafening and the chaos and planned mayhem flows, a confetti storm outside the church, releasing the doves and walking around the gardens. The reception area is set for the cocktail hour for the guest while the family disappear for the photos. There is a very visible subsidence of tension once the ceremony is over, Sofia and Paul are all smiles and are now comfortably relaxed enough to really enjoy their day. I haven’t been to a wedding before but if they are all like this I can easily see what the fuss is about; a true celebration of coming together, family, friends and lovers. To have someone to share your life, just one person, to share all the joy, all your loves and fears, heartache and happiness; who wouldn’t want that? I stop myself before my raggedly emotional state gets carried away. I walk over to Marco who is equally dashing in his navy suit.

“My sister must love you very much. You look stunning.” He leans in to kiss my cheek and takes my hand and holds it out to take an exaggerated look at me. My fitted silk court dress is very flattering, if a little tight across the bust now and the halter neck does nothing to soften my expanding chest. Still I’m grateful it fits and isn’t tartan because I know from my dream I looked hideous in tartan.

“She was very kind, yes, maybe she was hoping to get me hooked up so I won’t be her spinster friend for too long.” I nudge him and he tilts his head ignoring my joke. “Where’s your date?” I ask and he senses the panic as my eyes flash over to a gaggle of his Aunts all looking our way.

“Don’t panic, she’s in the main reception with the other guests. We’re heading over shortly to the main welcome area before Sofs and Paul make their entrance.” He nods in the direction of the glass conservatory where the reception has been set up. I can hear the traditional band playing already in the distance.

I sigh in relief all the same. “Phew! Just a quick panic. You know you did make it sound like there was going to be an army of single cousins for me to fight off but everyone’s coupled up. I’m not complaining, I’m glad but I had no idea these things were like this. I think I’m the only single one here.” My jokey quip falters and I hear the hitch in my voice. He wraps his strong arms around my shoulders but it’s not enough and he turns me and gives me a much needed full on hug. I sniff back a sniffle and breathe out a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I’m pathetic. I just didn’t think I’d be on my own.”

“You’re not.” He reassures me and I nod into his chest.

“I know, I’ve got you guys but I—”

He holds my shoulders and pulls back. “No I mean you are not on your own. Your date is here.” He turns me a full one eighty and I gasp. Daniel stands, dark and dangerous and right in front of me. I step back into Marco’s chest and he steadies me with his hands on the tops of my arms, my heart is racing and I struggle to breathe. I know Marco can feel me tremble because he gives me a reassuring squeeze. Daniel steps forward his eyes penetrate mine and sear my soul but his face gives nothing and I am filled with confusion, confusion and need, confusion and want, mostly want and need. “This is my sister’s wedding Daniel. I hope I don’t need to remind you are here as a guest.” Marco’s voice rumbles and I can feel some tension in his grip but he relaxes, which makes me relax too.

Daniel nods addressing Marco over my shoulder but not taking his eyes from me. “Your sisters call to me this morning expressed as much. She is the bride and her wish is my command . . . I have no intention of being escorted from your premises,. . . . again.” He fights back a grin but gives in when I bite my lips to hide mine.

“Very well.” Marco steps beside me and holds his hand out for Daniel, who reciprocates. “In that case I hope you have a great day. I’m heading over to the main room, see you over there Boo. The reception to receive the happy couple will be soon Ok?” He winks at me I nod numbly trying to process the image before me. Daniel takes my hand and leads me to the very edge of the garden away from the family, my hand tingles at his touch. I wanted him to be here so much and now he is I’m terrified. I don’t want to let him go again and I’m terrified that that is no longer my choice, so despite the need to hold on I try to pull my hand away, essential for my self-preservation, but he holds tighter.

“Daniel, I don’t understand what are you doing here?” I whisper even though we are far from any eavesdroppers. I really can’t believe he is here, did he come for me; my heart squeezes tight as if an invisible fist is holding it firm preventing it from bursting all over my ivory silk dress.

“It is as I said, Sofia called and—“

“She pulled the ‘i’m the bride card’ didn’t she? Did she say her whole day would be ruined or something?” I shake my head at my lovely over dramatic best friend.

“Something along those lines yes . . . You look very beautiful Bethany.” His eyes darken and I can see the tension his thoughts are causing course across his face. “You take my breath away, as always.” He dips his head to maintain eye contact as I try to look away. “You haven’t told anyone about us? We’re you hoping I would change my mind?” His words chill me but they are softly spoken. I don’t think he means to re hash and hurt me I think he just wants to understand.

“No Daniel, I know you won’t change your mind.” I blow out the painful breath and flinch at the real pain curling around my heart with my own admission. “I didn’t tell anyone because today is about Sofia and they love me enough that if I had told them that I . . . that we . . . what I’d—” I swallow because as much as I know this is my fault I can’t say it out loud just yet it’s too fucking painful to admit just how much I fucked
us
up.

“I understand.” His smooth calm voice stops my fall, stops me breaking further. “I just needed to know. Ethan called me too, he felt bad for letting you down and tried to guilt me into dropping whatever was so important that I could leave you alone on such a day.” His thumb traces circles on the back of my hand. It’s distracting, he’s distracting. “And he was right nothing, nothing is so important that you should be lonely today.”

“I’m hardly alone.” My words are barely audible because I don’t believe them and I know he won’t either. Being lonely is more than a feeling, it’s a crushing weight that suffocates a fragile heart, my fragile heart.

“I know you’re not alone, but that isn’t what I meant. I wanted to be with you today.” He emphasises the last word and his teeth grind audibly.

“Today.” I repeat softly.

“Today.” He repeats firmly. “I have a proposition.” He waits expecting some response but I just gaze at his beautiful face getting my fill because I feel I understand the reality of his ominous use of the repeated word. “For today, we forget everything and just enjoy the celebration for what it is. Your best friend’s wedding and a special day. You and me. No past, no future, just present.” I can see the uncertainty in his eyes and I wonder if he can see the devastation in mine at his proposition. But what is really pathetic is that I am going to agree because I know any amount of time with him is better than no time and that is ultimately what’s on offer no more time.

“A Cinderella scenario if you will.” I offer to clarify his proposition.

He smiles, its breath-taking. “Exactly.” His voice is light with hope.

“And what happens at midnight?” I hate that my voice sound so tentative, that I can’t accept an end even when it’s offered on a silver platter.

“At midnight, everything changes.” He steps to me his hand sweeps smoothly around my waist. I have to tilt my head back to maintain my eye contact.

“Ok.” I breathe out my pathetic acceptance. I would like to think that I am so mature and that this is simply a terribly civilised break up. Or that, given the chance, if you knew this was the last time you were going to see someone, someone you loved like no other before, wouldn’t you choose to spend the time just like this. Laughing, loving and entwined in each other but the truth is, knowing this is the end is like a punctured artery and the slow internal bleeding will ultimately be the end of me. But I’m not going to back track, I am going to take the scraps that are offered because for one last night I just want it to be us, and even if it isn’t real it’s still better than the alternative.

WE STAND FOR
a moment and I am trying for the life of me to understand why he is really here, his face gives me nothing but his eyes are filled with sadness that punctures my heart. His lips curl ever so slightly into a tender smile and I decide then, I can do this. I decide that this day is going to be our day too. A wonderful day to share with someone I love, suspend all reality and immerse myself in the fairy-tale of the happily ever after because I understand my happily ever after is going to be more Grimm than Disney. I blow out a sharp breath to strengthen my resolve and with a surge of uninhibited determination to embrace and take whatever pleasure I can from my last day with Daniel. I step against him pushing through the tangible barrier of instant heat our bodies create. My hands cup his face the slight stubble scratching the soft skin on my palms. Tingles ignite across the surface of my skin and I smile at the intake of breath he forces as I cover his mouth with barely contained passion, holding him firm as my soft lips move with purpose and possession. His immediate shock and tension is instantly replaced with a firm but relaxed reciprocation, his hand carefully threading into my hair, gripping and pulling me further into the kiss I initiated. I gasp and he moans pushing his tongue deep inside and I wonder if every sensation I experience with him today will be just as intense, just as explosive. God I hope so.

I pull back and place my hand on his heaving chest and gently tap my fingers as I feign calm I am definitely not feeling and I fight the smirk I want to express at his wide eyes and ruffled countenance.

“Shall we?” I ask with a light carefree tone.

He coughs and shifts a little but fails to hide the bulge distorting the clean line of his suit trousers. “Shall we what?” His voice is raspy. I laugh out, shaking my head and take his hand to lead him across the manicured lawn to the period glass conservatory to join the line forming to welcome the wedding party. Sofia’s family gene pool dominates the room with their strong dark features and stronger characters. My feet barely touch the ground once I enter the room as brothers, uncles and cousins hug and pick me up and pass me along like a party game of pass the parcel. I finally find my feet at the end of the long line of friends and family and instantly a pair of strong arms wrap around my waist and Daniel pulls me so I am cloaked in his body. He whispers. “Please don’t tell me I have to watch you dance with all those people that have just manhandled you like you were crowd surfing?” His breath feathers my skin but his gruff tone is clipped and I twist to see his tell-tale jaw ticking. I lean up and he obliges by returning my offered kiss.