Terms of Agreement

18. Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Aiden

‘ W hat was that?’

‘What was what?’ I asked, keeping my face neutral as I took my place beside Ed. I looked over just in time for him to screw up his face into a grimace and pat my shoulder exaggeratedly.

I shook my head, forcing a smile. Not a very convincing one if Ed’s frown was anything to go by. But Ed and I had known each other since we were seven—been best friends since we were twelve—so if anyone were going to spot the cracks in the facade of my fake relationship, it would probably be him. Thankfully, before he had the chance to probe any deeper, his mum beckoned him over to straighten his tie.

I tracked his movements, smiling at a glassy-eyed Mrs Miller and refusing to glance over towards where I’d left Charlotte. I was heading into dangerous territory here, and that was why I’d pulled away from the kiss. Sure, the shoulder pat was far from my finest moment, but in my defence, I’d had no intention of kissing Charlotte today. That was not the plan, no matter what the additional clause allowed.

Had I been caught up in the moment? Sure. Weddings were romantic and seeing her in the library, illuminated by the sun—basking—something had tightened in my chest and blurred the lines we’d drawn. But, as I’d realised in the moments pre-shoulder pat, it was important that the lines remained clear. I’d seen the look of confusion and possibly disappointment in her brilliant green eyes as I’d pulled away. But it was better this way.

A soft instrumental melody started, and a tall, reedy looking man—Hugo, I think Tilly had said his name was—hurried into the room, hissing ‘Places! Places!’

Ed all but bounced into his spot at the top of the aisle, eyes gleaming with excitement as he turned his full focus to the double doors at the end of the room. The music swelled, and I watched as his hands clenched and unclenched in eager anticipation. I heard the guests’ collective gasp as Tilly entered the room, but I kept my focus on my friend for just a moment longer, his eyes overflowing with happiness as his bride moved towards him.

Smirking, I pressed a tissue into Ed’s trembling hands. Everyone had assumed that we’d need to have them on hand for Tilly, but, based on the quiet sniffling coming from my right beside me, I’d guess we’d all been wrong. Tilly made it about halfway down the aisle before she unhooked her arm from her dad’s and ran the last few feet before launching herself into Ed’s outstretched arms. His soft ‘oof’ at Tilly’s impact caused a rippled chuckle throughout the friends and family in the audience.

They were practically vibrating when they got to their vows and my chest clenched tightly at the sight of their sincere elation. I was overjoyed by the sight of my friends and their happiness, but that couldn’t smother the undercurrent of sadness that stabbed at my chest. I couldn’t stop my thoughts as they drifted to memories of Bridget.

We were supposed to do this. She and I. My gaze drifted across the room, taking in the pillars and flower arrangements. We’d spoken about marriage—we were together for seven years, of course we’d spoken about marriage. She’d wanted lace. Lace and a mermaid silhouette—whatever that was. I shook my head, fighting to bring myself out of the past. We’d had such big plans, Bridget and me. But any dreams of marriage and babies had died alongside our relationship. Now, any time anyone mentioned either of those things, my balls went into self-preservation mode and pulled themselves and my cock as far up into my body as humanly possible.

‘By the power vested in me,’ came the sonorous declaration of the celebrant, ‘I now pronounce you man and wife. Ed, you may kiss your bride.’

Tilly let out a giddy squeal as Ed took her face in both of his hands and kissed her to the sound of cheering and applause. I joined, laughing when Tilly tried to step back and Ed only held on tighter, deepening their kiss. At the first glimpse of tongue, however, I looked away, my gaze landing on a familiar pair of green eyes.

I watched as she turned to look at Ed and Tilly, her expression growing contemplative. It wasn’t a tough to guess what she was thinking about. We were at a wedding after all. She was probably picturing what her own would be like. I stiffened as a flick of inexplicable jealousy surged up my spine at the idea of Charlotte all dressed in white, in a fabric I’d never heard of, standing across from some faceless stranger.

Instinctively, I’d taken a step towards her when a short, stocky woman marched up the aisle and demanded the attention of the bridal party. ‘Right,’ the woman drawled in her thick Irish brogue, ‘you lot, come with me, we want to get these shots before the hairspray has melted and Ed’s kissed the lipstick of your face.’ Tilly blushed into her bouquet and Ed drew her closer to his side, planting a wet kiss on her cheek.

As if summoned by magic, Hugo materialised at the foot of the aisle, clapping his hands together and gathering the attention of the room.

‘There will be bubbles and fizz in the ballroom while the bride and groom get their pictures taken, so if you’ll follow me, you’ll not be without a drink for long.’ He smiled warmly at the room and beckoned them over with his clipboard as he moved through the lounge’s double doors and into the ballroom.

My eyes sought Charlotte’s, and I shrugged apologetically as Sarah tugged on my arm, urging me to follow the rest of the bridal party into the gardens. Charlotte waved me off with a serene smile, but I couldn’t help the feeling of unease that churned my gut as she stepped into, and was quickly lost among, the crowd of guests making their way towards the ballroom.