Chapter 40 - Niall - Bumping into You
Chapter 40
Niall
As Gwen first walked in, I was left speechless—not that I’m the one who will need to be talking anytime soon, but she’s a vision. Her dress, with a lace cutout and one shoulder bare, shows off her midriff and toned arms. She’s beautiful in the dark pink that matches the groomsmen vest that I’m wearing. One look at her and my worry about what I need to do after this cruise is long gone. I’d do anything for Gwen. And now that I’ve fulfilled my mam’s promise of finding someone I want to be with, she’d kick my arse if I didn’t follow through with it.
Yes, Holly is a beautiful bride, but I can’t keep my eyes off Gwen during the whole ceremony. Afterward, she’s hard to get a hold of, as she’s making sure everything is set for the small wedding reception that we’re having in a banquet room.
Following the rest of the wedding party, I make my way through the buffet. With my food in hand, I look around for Gwen. She’s sitting at a table looking a bit melancholy.
“Hey, Rose,” I say as I set my plate down to sit in the seat next to her. “The wedding was class.”
“Hmm? Oh, yeah. It was beautiful. Holly is gorgeous, isn’t she? And Greg, did you see he teared up when Holly walked in?”
The words Gwen is saying make it seem like everything is fine, but something is off with her. Not even me using my nickname for her is riling her up.
“It was a beautiful wedding. So, why are you not yourself?”
Her eyes search mine. I don’t know what she’s looking for but whatever it is, I hope she finds it.
She’s quiet for a moment, then says, “I’m not ready to get back to real life.”
“What do you mean get back to real life? This is real life.”
“No, I mean, yes, it is real life, but it’s not at the same time, you know? I mean, when the cruise is over, we have to go back to our homes, back to our jobs and life as . . . normal, like before.”
Holly and Greg start off the dancing with their first dance. Seeing my mate happy makes me happy. After years of loving Holly, he can finally call her his wife. But I don’t know how he waited for so long.
One week with Gwen has me seeing life in a whole new perspective.
“Want to dance?” I ask Gwen, putting my hand out to her.
A small smile lights up her face. “Sure.”
As others fill in on the dance floor and the songs change between romantic and fast-paced, I keep Gwen laughing song after song. The happiness radiating from her makes my soul feel full.
The band takes a break, and it’s announced that Holly is going to throw the bouquet and all the single women need to stand on the dance floor. Even though she’s the event planner, Gwen’s also part of the wedding, so she cannot skirt this tradition no matter how hard she tries to convince me.
“Nope,” I say. “It’s tradition and you wouldn’t want to break tradition.”
She mumbles as she makes her way to the dance floor.
Holly stands in front of the group. There are about ten women out there including little Maggie. With a light toss, the bouquet lands directly in Gwen’s hands. Everyone cheers and many women congratulate Gwen.
Well alright then, another sign from Mam.