CHAPTER 65
@AfricBrooks So sad to be finishing up on the set of An Irish Inheritance. We’ve been one big, happy family for the past six weeks in Linford Castle. #romcommovie #romcom #AnIrishInheritance
It was hard to believe that it had been just less than a year since she and Simon had called off their wedding – at the tiny country church in Ballygobbin.
Now, outside Kate’s local church in Raheny, the sun was a blistering globe in a bright blue sky, and a warm breeze blew Jess’s hair across her face, as she stood chatting with one of Kate’s brothers.
“That’s my last smoke,” Colm said, stubbing out his cigarette on the side of a rubbish bin, before throwing the butt in. “I promised Kate I’d quit whenever she got married.”
Jess grinned. “When did you promise that?”
“A few years ago. She wasn’t with anyone at the time.” Colm scrunched up his face. “Is it weird being here, seeing Simon and Kate getting hitched?”
“Not as weird as you might think,” Jess said honestly. “I’m happy for them, really. I think they’ve both found their person.”
He nodded, apparently relieved, and Jess thought he was about to say something else but then changed his mind. “I’d better get in, I’m one of the groomsmen!” He leaned over and gave Jess an awkward hug and kiss. “Good to see you.”
“Catch you later, yeah?” She kept her tone light but released a quiet breath when he went back inside.
She’d been pretty sure he’d been about to say he was sorry to hear about the baby, and she couldn’t face anyone’s sympathy today. In fact, she doubted she could face anyone’s sympathy ever again. She wanted to move on. Which was difficult when people were constantly reminding her.
Although maybe it would be easier now. Six weeks in Linford had given her a bit of breathing space and a lot of perspective. And her brief fling with Robert had made her realise that moving on didn’t necessarily mean jumping into a new relationship.
She was also certain that Neil and Ciara had got it wrong about Adam. There had been no sign of him all week, and he’d made no attempt to contact her. She had to accept that it was completely over between them.
Jess took a deep breath and ran her hands quickly over the skirt of her short, blush-pink dress. Since she’d lost weight, her new dress size had been the perfect excuse for some retail therapy.
She checked her watch. It was time to go in and take her seat beside her parents. Simon was waiting at the top of the church and Kate would be here soon, with her dad and her bridesmaids.
As she turned to go inside, she heard someone approach.
“Hello, Jess.”
Jess spun so quickly she nearly went over on her ankle. “Adam!”
He was here! In a tuxedo! No, that made sense – they’d been invited to the wedding as a couple. But that was before …
“I didn’t expect to see you.”
“Kate asked me.” He pushed a hand through his hair.
She stared at him. She wouldn’t allow herself to get upset – not on Kate’s wedding day. Her job was to smile and celebrate and be happy for her. Not to mention that she’d no intention of ruining her makeup.
“And I wanted to see you.” Adam frowned.
“I wanted us to talk. Actually, that was why I went down to Linford. Frank didn’t ask me.
To be honest, he advised me not to go down.
And then when I got there, I realised you’d moved on, met someone else.
” He shoved his hands into the pockets of his trousers.
“When you texted me I thought you wanted to try again.”
“You didn’t reply to my message.” Jess’s heart seemed to be trying to escape her chest.
“I know, I’m sorry.” He shook his head. “I thought it’d be better if we talked in person.”
“We can talk now.”
“No. You have someone waiting for you in there.”
“Mam and Dad won’t worry.” Jess pulled nervously at her dress.
He glanced past her towards the church. “You’re with your parents?”
“Who did you think –?” She stopped. “Oh! Did you see me talking to Kate’s brother just now?”
Adam looked a bit sheepish. “Kate’s brother? I didn’t get a proper look. I thought it might be –”
“Robert? No, that’s over.” She noticed the relief on Adam’s face. “I was talking to Neil and Ciara last week, they told me about your dad’s relapse.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you at the time.
” Adam sighed. “I wanted to give you some space, and when Dad got sick again I put everything on hold to help out. By the time I came up for air, I saw that you’d blocked me.
” He scrubbed a hand across his jaw. “I thought it was too late, I thought I’d lost you. ”
Jess nodded, trying to remember all the things she’d imagined herself saying to him this last week.
“I thought I was moving on, Adam, that we’d made this huge mistake, rushing into things because of the pregnancy.
” Her eyes stung and she blinked hard, determined not to cry.
“A part of me thought the miscarriage was my fault because I’d cheated on Simon.
And that it’d be better if we weren’t together. ”
“I’m so sorry.” Adam closed the gap between them. “Christ, Jess, I should have been there. I should have fought harder for you.”
“Your family needed you.”
“So did you.”
“I didn’t think so.” She gave a shaky laugh.
Adam looked like he was trying to choose his words. “I was upset about the baby too, Jess. But I was worried that maybe you felt trapped.”
“I thought you felt trapped!” She took a deep breath. “Everything just happened too fast between us, didn’t it?”
They fell silent for a few moments.
“I have a confession to make,” he said, finally.
Jess’s heart stuttered. “Don’t feel you have to make it just because we’re outside a church.”
Adam gave a small smile. “I knew you thought Ciara was my girlfriend. But I was so jealous of that fucking gobshite you were seeing that I couldn’t bring myself to tell you the truth.”
She started to laugh. “That’s actually … Shit! The wedding car is here.”
“Come on.” Adam took her hand and pulled her around to the side of the church.
Jess checked that they were out of sight before pulling her thoughts together.
“I’m sorry I left, Adam. I wasn’t thinking straight.
But the more I’ve tried to forget about us, the more I’ve ended up thinking about us.
” She noticed a flare of hope in his eyes.
“I’ve changed, Adam, I’m not the same person I was a few months ago.
But now that I know what really happened …
” She took a breath. “What I’m saying is I’d like to try again, if you want to –”
She gave a slight gasp as Adam tugged her into his arms, his mouth descending on hers.
Her hands tangled in his hair to pull him closer.
Who needed oxygen anyway, she thought, shivering deliciously as he slid one hand over her jaw, angling it to deepen and control the kiss, before walking her back against the wall of the church, closing every last millimetre of space between them.
Finally, he pulled gently back, his eyes shining, and she braced her hands against his chest. They stood there for a few moments, catching their breath. She blinked up at him.
“So, what did you want to say to me?” she asked.
He smirked. “I can feel how fast your heart is beating.” He placed a hand over her breast, leaning close until his lips brushed her ear. “Do you want me to say it again?”
A breathless laugh bubbled out of her. “Not just now. I’m pretty sure the bride just walked up the aisle and we really shouldn’t miss the wedding.” As he pulled back again, she skimmed her thumb across his bottom lip. “I don’t think that lipstick is your colour. Am I badly smudged?”
He pulled a clean white handkerchief out of his pocket and blotted her mouth before wiping his own and tucking the handkerchief away again. “I suppose we could pick up this conversation later on.”
“I think we definitely should,” she agreed.
“We’ll stay at the back.” Adam dropped another kiss on her lips. “Come on.”
He took her hand and they walked around to the church porch. From inside, Jess could hear singing. Adam stopped and gave her a serious look.
“Promise me one thing, Jess. No matter what happens this time, don’t run. Whatever it is, we’ll work it out, okay?”
She nodded. “I know I told you once that perfect was overrated, but I’m not sure I understood what that meant until suddenly everything wasn’t perfect.
” Glancing down at their joined hands, Jess spoke quietly.
“The thing is, I wasn’t sure I could handle it when things got messy.
And I guess it was easier to push you away.
But life is messy, relationships are messy.
” She met his eyes. “Even if they’re not, I don’t want simple or uncomplicated if it’s not with you.
You’re my person, Adam, you always will be. ”
Gently, he tipped up her chin, his gaze locking with hers. “So, Jess and Adam 2.0?”
She smiled. “Jess and Adam 2.0.”
Adam opened the door of the church and together they stepped inside.
THE END