Page 101 of The Forbidden Fling

Then the scene snapped like a shutter. Senhor Arenoso hurried to greet Diana, blocking her from view as he ushered her into her seat. She’d made it just in time; the wedding was about to start.

Faye exhaled shakily as the band began. The light acoustic notes of the cavaquinho drew the guests into silence. Heads turned as the staff made their way down the aisle first, fronted by Carla and Romeo arm-in-arm. They joined Senhor Arenoso at the front, faces full of grins as Riley walked down next, dressed in a tailored beige-and-baby-blue suit. She greeted everyone as she passed, offering smiles and waves, until she reached the altar, where Senhor Arenoso pulled her into a big hug. The two bridesmaids were next. A forest green sculpted dress for one, blonde hair pinned up messily, while the other’s was pink and loud and full of feathers, with an enormous fascinator resembling a satellite dish balanced on her head.

The acoustics swelled, the viola braguesa joining the cavaquinho, the paired strings weaving a flowing accompaniment as everyone got to their feet for the bride’s arrival.

As she descended the last step, helped along by a man Faye assumed was her dad, Ella burst into joyful laughter. “Who thought it was a good idea to attempt all those steps in these heels?”

She stepped onto the bamboo, sunlight catching every movement of the delicate tulle and lace flowing around her curves. Her train trailed softly behind her with every step, catching sand under the silk like glitter, her grin growing with every second.

Riley held her hands to her chest, eyes threatening to spill as her bride drew closer. Faye couldn’t help but steal a glance at Diana, who was watching the ceremony with glossy eyes. As though on instinct, her gaze flicked to Faye’s. Faye’s heart fluttered as she returned her attention to the brides.

Senhor Arenoso stood with Riley under the arch, his own features swelling with pride as Ella’s dad kissed her cheek and gave her arm to Riley.

“Good luck!” he teased with a wink. “She’s your problem now.”

Ella swatted at him as he took his seat at the front, but Riley caught her hand, planting a kiss on her fingers. “Happily.” Dimples popped in her cheeks. “You’re so beautiful.”

“So are you.” Ella squeezed her hand. She pivoted to the guests, as though she’d just remembered they were there. “And so do all of you. All of this… It’s so wonderful. Thank you so much for making the journey here. It means the world to both of us.”

Senhor Arenoso brought his palms together. “Welcome, friends, family, to life’s most precious and sacred event, the joining of two souls. There’s something incredibly special about these connections. When a bond between partners recognises the light and shadow in their inner worlds, it transcends simple physicality and becomes a deep, powerful energy that feeds back into the world itself.

“True love is sacred. It’s love that shifts our understanding of ourselves and the universe. When we recognise that, when we’re brave enough to nurture and challenge it…it’s the most potent and compelling force that exists.” He glanced between the two of them with tears in his eyes, but his voice didn’t waver. “It spills into the people around us. It feeds back into the earth. It restores balance and faith that true love, in its purest, most profound state, survives, blossoms, and endures.” He placed a hand on each of their shoulders. “So let’s unite them further, the turkey and the dolphin, brought together in life’s imperfectly perfect harmony.”

That brought a cheer from the guests and a loud wolf-whistle from the green-dress bridesmaid.

Faye blubbed through the vows and the exchanging of rings. Riley’s words had most people dabbing their eyes, but tears streamed down Ella’s face as she relived their journey of how they got here.

Ella’s vows took a more comedic route, starting with how Riley had rescued her from a bramble bush in the middle of a rainstorm.

Then, at Senhor Arenoso’s declaration of marriage, the two brides kissed, and everyone burst into a loud roar of applause. Riley dipped Ella, throwing her head back in laughter until she kissed her again. A flash from the photographer immortalised the moment forever.

Just then, a passing seagull dropped a load from the sky. Riley spun her wife out of the way just in time, the white monstrosity landing in the sand instead of on Ella’s head. That drew an even bigger cheer.

Riley held up Ella’s hand like a treasured prize. “My wife, everyone!”

The guests each took a handful of petals and cast them over the newlyweds as they walked back up the aisle hand in hand, back up to the courtyard, where music was already echoing.

Faye lingered at the back, caught in her emotions, her feet planted in the soft sand.

Then a presence settled beside her, one she could sense from a hundred miles away. Her stomach flip-flopped as she turned to Diana.

“Can I talk with you, please?” Diana asked.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Diana

The courtyard buzzed with energy. Drinks flowed as charming acoustic music drifted amid the hum of laughter and happy conversations. There was so much colour in the usual serene and calm place Diana had become fond of.

Ella and Riley had been whisked away to take wedding photos, their grins wide enough to split their faces, love spilling out of their pores. It was the complete opposite of Diana’s wedding day. A simple gathering at their local church, Diana bursting out of her dress, and Jason complaining about his shoes being too tight. She should’ve listened to her gut then. No bride should experience a sinking feeling uttering the words “I do” when looking at their future spouse, or spend the evening trying not to cry in the bathroom because Jason had been very close to one of her bridesmaids. Too close, she later found out.

But she trusted her gut now. Her eyes followed Faye, and the subtle, soft vibrations thrummed across her skin, her senses searching, craving her. Like souls aching to reconnect. How had it been three months? Time had stretched unbearably since she’d last seen her. It was a sin, really. Just like that slit running up her thigh, revealing perfect pale legs.

They moved towards the bench without discussing it, the place a sentimental marker for so much of their time together.

Faye took a seat, looking out at the endless stretch of ocean. A faint layer of goosebumps rippled over her bare arms. Diana longed to touch them, to comfort her, the feeling so powerful it pained her keeping it restrained.

But she didn’t want to overstep any boundaries, so she took a seat beside her. Ella and Riley were standing at the top of one of the cliffs, posing for photos. Riley twirled Ella in circles, the camera flashing, their laughter lost on the breeze. Ella’s dress spun out around them both, sparkling in the sunlight, and Riley kissed her. Diana looked away, feeling like she was intruding on a private moment.