AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My bridesmaid dress, shoes, and anything else wedding related travelled with the rest of the dresses and outfits, so I only had to pack a few essentials to bring with me. I unzip my bag, shake out the two dresses and hang them up, hoping the few creases will fall out. Grabbing my mini toiletries bag, I set about turning the shower on and cleaning up.
Hot water drenches my hair and cleanses my skin. Complimentary shampoo, soap, conditioner, and even lotions and potions are lined on an alcove shelf in the shower. I help myself, breathing in the exotic scents and essential oils and set to work on my hair and body, ridding any remaining specks of dust or sweat.
Because the water raining down feels so blissful, I take longer than I should and realise that if I’m not careful, I’m going to miss all the wedding rehearsal.
Reluctantly, I speed up getting ready, dry using the thick and luxurious towels and run a comb through my long hair. I cover my skin in the lotion from the bathroom counter and then slip into my white sundress. It clings in all the right places but doesn’t make me look like I’m trying too hard.
I grab my phone and the card for the room and head back towards the reception. It can’t be too hard to locate the dining room, surely?
I walk back up the hallway to where I started. The magical fairy lights continue throughout the grounds, providing just enough illumination to stop you from straying off the path. It’s romantic and dream-like all at the same time.
Before I have a chance to explore the infinity pool that caught my eye through the arched glass doors, the same woman beckons me to follow her. She even grabs my hand and takes me across to the other side of the resort. Of course, there are no other guests around – they’re all where I’m supposed to be. She rushes us to the open dining area that spills out onto a beautiful vista overlooking the olive grove and the sea below. I’m pushed inside, and I step from the back, making my way to the horseshoe table where my loved ones are sitting.
I take a moment – before they notice me – to feel the happiness shining on all their faces: my mother and father, Grammy, and my brother. And then I turn my attention to Liam, standing with a flute of champagne in his hand.
“I’m not going to give all my speech material away tonight, but suffice to say I hope–” His eyes look up and spear me, sending a jolt of recognition and longing through my body.
He stands there, mid-sentence, just staring at me. The smile of happiness I had for my family extends to him, but it doesn’t spur him on.
“I hope–” he tries again but seems unable to get the words out. His eyes stay fixed on me, and it turns my stomach in a weird, nervous excited way.
“I hope you finish your bloody speech,” Eric finishes for him, and a few claps and cheers echo around the room.
Feeling one hundred feet tall, I step forward and head for the one empty seat at the table between my mother and one of Eric’s groomsmen, Taylor.
Taylor looks me up and down and sends a chef’s kiss into the air before standing to pull my chair out for me. Some might say we’re closer friends than he and Eric are. I smile, greet my mum and dad, and offer a wave to Eric. Before I sit, I go over and kiss Grammy on the cheek, squeezing her shoulders.
“Hey, Grammy. You okay?”
“Wonderful, dear. Now, sit, sit. I believe my grandson was in the middle of something.” She gives me a wink, and I move back towards Taylor and my seat.
“My little sister, ladies and gentlemen.” Eric stands, taking over from Liam, who still looks a little confused. My confidence soars at that moment because my younger self is relishing in the simple yet seemingly unobtainable accomplishment: I stopped Liam Ford in his tracks.
Chapter Two
Liam
Damn.
The champagne flute is still poised to toast, but there is nothing in my mind except the vision of Isla Littlewood walking into the room.
And not the Lil I remember, but a full-blown goddess version of the girl who used to hang around with us.
I clear my throat.
“As I was saying…” but the words fail as I watch Isla take her seat. My eyes develop a stubborn streak as I try and regain some form of authority, but I force myself back on task. “Let’s try this again. Ladies and Gentlemen, the wedding.”
The hum of the toast rumbles around, and I smash down half the champagne and take a seat, relieved and a little embarrassed.
“Dude, that better not be the precursor for the speech tomorrow.”
I look at Eric and see he’s not actually joking.
I grab Eric’s shoulder. “We’re all good. As I said, I didn’t want to give away the material.”
“Oh yeah. Nothing to do with Lil walking in.” He raises his eyebrow at me.
“She was late and threw me off, that’s all.”
