Page 151 of Pretender

This way, I can glance at Aiden any time without the proximity, without worrying about his knee touching mine, or having to make unnatural small talk when he should be focusing on celebrating his mother and Will.

Aiden clinks his glass with a spoon and stands up. The wedding coordinator rushes over to him with a microphone.

“Hi everyone, I’m Aiden. Amara’s son, for those who don’t know me. Uh, normally, talking in front of a crowd is not something that gives me pause, but I’m nervous today—you’ll see why—so please bear with me.”

There’s a smattering of ‘you can do it’ and a wolf whistle that makes everyone laugh. Aiden turns to Amara.

“Mum, you are the most remarkable mother a person could have. I would be a complete mess if you weren’t so strong, so caring, and so generous with your love.” He clears his throat and glances out at the tables full of people, his gaze lingering on Aunt Giulia next to him, before he looks back out at no one in particular. “I want to share something, so you can understand how big today is for my mum. And me.” He breathes in and exhales again, puffing out his cheeks. “When I was little, my dad died abruptly of cancer, and we were left with nothing but each other. Mum raised me on her own with no means because my dad, as good a father as he was, and despite loving my mother, made some mistakes I’m sure he’d regret if he’d known how hard it was for her when he was gone. He… Uh…” Aiden stops and takes a sip of water. “And we’ll never fully understand why… Anyway.” He clears his throat, clearly struggling, and I want to hold his hand. “The silver lining of our hardship is that Mum taught me gratitude for what we got to have with Dad, what Mum and I had together as I was growing up, and the relationship we share now.” He turns back to Amara. Her eyes are watering, but her smile hasn’t faltered. “Mum, you’ve been my rock my entire life. So last year when you met Will, and I saw this glow return to you fully, I was so relieved. Finally, someone who would make you the star of their life. Of your life. You’re the main character, Mum, and when I saw Will spark your brightest flames again, I fell for him too.”

We all laugh, and Will’s eyes shine, blinking up at Aiden.

“Will, you chose my mum, and she chose you. You give her room. You don’t just let her be herself, you encourage it. You bring out even more of her, although I’m not sure her sister Giulia agrees that’s a good thing.”

More laughter, although I feel his nerves on his behalf. I’ve never seen him so flustered.

“Okay, I’m going to embarrass myself entirely now, which is why I was nervous about this speech. I’ve written a sort of poem.”

The crowd hums with anticipation as Aiden huffs a laugh, checking his notes. He’s the cute Aiden. The one I sprayed gin all over. The Aiden who—I’ve only realised in hindsight—liked me and couldn’t get the words out after the engagement party. He’s the one who slept at an angle on a chair next to me in Florence.

“It’s on behalf of Will, because, as we all know and witnessed earlier today, he’s a man of few words. In public at least. But if you get two Aperol Spritz in him, make sure you’re in a good seat.” Aiden mimes babbling with his hand. “Alright, I’m no poet, but here are some words I’ve put together from Will to Amara. Okay, here goes.

I love you.

Not because it’s easy,

Although it is,

Easy, I mean.”

Aiden’s eyes flick up from his notes to me, and my heart leaps into my throat.

This poem is not from Will to Amara. It’s for me.

“I love you because you make me a better man,

And that is a challenge.

But it is one I shall take

Every day.”

Aiden pauses, smiling at Will, but again he glances at me. My heart tumbles wildly around in my chest. He wrote me a poem. And he’s reading it out in front of all these people, all nervous and cute.

“Because every day I’m with you

I will choose to be better,

To be the man you deserve.

Every day you choose to spend your time with me,

I’ll make sure I earn it.

I love you,

Because

Just by being yourself⁠—”