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“Hey, Lil,” he calls.
I don’t know all of his party, but I watch as Taylor jogs over to me.
“It’s too hot for exercise,” I joke to him.
“Tell me about it,” he pants.
“You off to party in town?”
“Appears so. This is the best way to travel, according to Liam. You?”
“Relaxing, remember.” I glance over his shoulder as I watch Liam walk by, wearing khaki shorts and a white short-sleeved shirt, open, and his chest on view, which is both annoying and frustrating.
“Eyes on me, girl.”
“Sorry.”
“Oh, don’t be. He knows what he’s doing. He’s the player we all love and hate. All I can say is I’m glad I don’t have to compete with him.” He rejoins the group, and I stand and watch as they head to the jetty. Over the years, Eric and Taylor have filled me in about Liam’s exploits. I’ve never asked, but he has come up in conversation.
In a way, Taylor has become the friend I had hoped Liam would always be – or at least the friend I wanted him to be if there couldn’t be more. And there’s never going to be more than friendship between Taylor and me.
As if Liam can hear my thoughts, he turns back to look at me. And just like at dinner, it’s a shot to my ego and my younger self triumphs.
They climb onto the boat, although on closer inspection, it’s more like a small yacht, laughing and joking, and of course, Liam takes the captain’s position and manoeuvres them out. I wave as they leave and decide I’ve had enough of the heat for one morning.
The morning of the wedding is frantic. It’s like the hotel has come alive with people, staff, and errands. We all have a schedule of where we should be, at what time, and for what purpose.
I have to hand it to her – Miriam has coordinated it to perfection.
With half an hour to go, all the wedding party are exactly where they should be for the grand entrance.
My dress is, thankfully, beautiful. Light and flowy, yet fitted around my bust, it’s perfect for a destination wedding.
Each of the bridesmaids is escorted down the aisle between rows of white folding chairs to a flowered arch, positioned with the backdrop of the beautiful sea view. It’s idyllic.
And lucky for me, I have Taylor walking with me.
I grin and wiggle my eyebrows at him as he comes to collect me, and we turn to face the aisle and wait for our turn.
“Looking good, T.”
“Are you planning on breaking some hearts because I can see it happening in that dress?” he compliments.
“Smooth. Very smooth.” In time with the music, we take our steps down the aisle.
“Okay, why does Ford look like he’s going to kill me?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” I whisper back to him.
“No, I’m serious. He’s got that brooding, don’t-touch-what’s-mine look down.”
“I am not his, Taylor.”
“Have you told him that?”
Taylor lets go of my arm and joins Eric and Liam on the groom’s side while I take my spot and stand next to the other bridesmaids on Miriam’s side as we wait for her to walk in.
Taylor’s words linger, though, and I glance in Liam’s direction, but he’s not looking my way.
