Chapter 35
35
Lis
I catch Aidan watching me in the mirror as I swipe on a final coat of mascara. He’s laughing at my mascara face, the one everyone makes—brows up, but lids half closed, mouth open, tongue out.
“Would you stop? Making me laugh is not gonna move this process along.” I screw the tube of black goop closed and chuck it in my makeup drawer.
I am doing my very best at dragging my feet. This wedding is the last thing I want to do on this gorgeous Saturday. I just don’t want to go.
And like he can read the thoughts running through my brain, Aidan pulls my dress from the closet. “We can leave as soon as you’ve had enough. Before that, really. I’ll entertain you, make you laugh.”
He sucks a breath in, the sound hissing between his teeth, as I drop my robe and reach for my dress hanging from his finger. Aidan’s eyes take in my strapless bra in pale pink with matching lacy boy shorts, lingering lazily until he finally meets my eyes. His are dark and heavy-lidded, almost black with desire.
“I don’t see any reason for us to linger at the party after.” He steps closer as I slide my dress over my hips. With his hands on my hips, Aidan turns my back to him and slowly slides the zipper closed. He places a kiss at the back of my neck, my hair pushed to the side. My skin tingles where his lips rest and I have to concentrate really hard on why we need to leave—soon.
Pulling myself together, I step away from him and into my shoes.
“We need to go. No more distractions.”
I try to pull off sassy and all I hear is breathy and desperate.
With my hand firmly tucked in the crook of his arm, Aidan and I walk up the steps to the church. Not the church we attended on Christmas and Easter growing up. No, it’s the big showy church in town, the one that will look better in the pictures.
“Doing alright?” Aidan asks with an extra squeeze of my hand.
I blow out a shaky breath and slowly nod.
“Sure?” I’m not sure. The closer we get to the back of the church where the ushers wait to seat us, the more nervous I get. I don’t want to claim being here for either side. It’s childish, but honestly, who can blame me.
“Didn’t think you’d actually be here.” His voice is far too loud and draws way too much attention. The muscles beneath my hand tense, as Aidan recognizes Tyler, Rob’s best friend. “You here to make sure she doesn’t spill any drinks later?” he laughs and slaps Aidan’s shoulder like they’re friends. “I’ll, uh take her from here.” He winks, jutting his arm out to escort me down the aisle and the loud and obnoxious becomes absolutely uncomfortable.
Outwardly, Aidan is the image of calm and serene, but I can feel his tension as he rolls his shoulders and shifts his body between us.
“You won’t, actually.” Tyler takes a step back and stares at us, not quite sure what to do. “I’ll escort Lisbeth, if you’ll just show us where we’re to sit.”
“Fff—wherever, man. Enjoy the show, Lis.” Tyler puffs out his chest and tries to brush past Aidan to the couple behind us. What I’m sure he intended to be an intimidation, has Tyler looking like a fool as he bounces off of Aidan’s shoulder, stumbling.
This stupid exchange, the posturing, has garnered far too much attention. Whispers are rippling through the church and like the wake of a pebble dropped in a still pond, bodies stretch and turn. People are staring at me, comments hush through the church.
“What do you want, love? Shall we strut to the front of the church or take a seat back here, and not worry about it?” Aidan’s warm soft voice calms my racing heart.
I smile up at him, knowing there is no one I’d rather do this with.
“Let’s sit back here. It’ll be easier to make a quick getaway if we need.”
Aidan
The look Lisbeth’s mum tosses at her as she’s escorted down the aisle is nothing less than judgmental. I don’t understand the dynamics. They seem to thrive on judgment and condescension, going out of their way to make this strong, lovely woman doubt herself at every turn. I want to protect her—rescue her from them.
We definitely made a mistake in sitting at the back of the church. While it made perfect sense to not parade down the aisle, we do have to endure the stares and whispers of everyone as they file out after the ceremony. As guests file out, I feel Lisbeth getting tense, her discomfort floating around us like a cloud. I run my hand down her back, landing on her hip and pull her close to me.
“Do all of these people know it’s you he was dating a few months ago?” I get a stiff nod, and she reaches back for my free hand.
My phone buzzes a text notification. It’s the third one since the ceremony ended, but it’ll have to wait. When it’s finally our turn, we leave the sanctuary and make our way outside, breathing a sigh of relief when we are safely tucked into the car.
“That was awful. I’m not going to make it through the reception.” Lis drops her head back to the seat and stares at the ceiling of the car. “Why did I bother getting a dress to match the wedding party? It makes no sense. This is ridiculous, I shouldn’t have come.”
I hate the doubt and self-deprecation. Shifting in my seat, I turn her face to mine, making sure I’ve got her attention. “You’re here because it’s the right thing to do, you know that. If I’m honest, your family is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. They are absolutely toxic.” She rolls her eyes and huffs out a small snort. “I don’t know how you’re related to them, seriously. I can’t for the life of me figure out why that arsehole picked her over you,” I rush to smooth what was not meant as a hurtful comment, “but I thank God, every day, that he did. I may thank Rob personally at the party, buy him a drink. I definitely have the better of the sisters.”
“Thank you.” The smile, the peace spreading across her face makes me feel good. Like I’ve gotten through to her. “You’re very sweet, but you know you don’t have to say those things, right?” I start to protest in earnest when she winks. “And if you play your cards right, I’ll even go home with you tonight. Let’s just get this done. Make our appearance, have a couple drinks and leave.”
The reception is even more of an event. It’s not just a couple drinks type of party. There’s a formal dinner with table assignments and dining partners.
I grab a couple whiskeys from the open bar handing Lis a glass as her mother sidles over to us.
“I didn’t realize you were bringing someone with you. We’ll have to make space at one of the tables for your friend.” The dismissive flip of her wrist should have bothered me. But the fact that she has no interest, no respect for her daughter is what has my ire up.
“Aidan, this is my mother, Anna Rittenhouse. Mom, this is?—”
I extend my hand, all my manners on full display. “Aidan Kearney, ma’am. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
She reluctantly places her hand in mine. Her handshake is as cold as her assessment of me.
“You’re not from here.” The woman is brilliant.
“No, I’m not. But I’ve found the best reason to stay.” I pull my hand back and place it possessively around Lis’ waist.
Anna looks from my hand to Lis, from Lis to me and back again.
“Well. I’ll figure out the seating.” And away she goes snapping at the poor wait staff lugging a tray laden with champagne glasses. “We’ve had an unexpected guest show up. You’ll have to add a place to table ? —”
“So, that’s my mom.” Lis takes a tiny sip of her whiskey and shakes her head. “And you’ve already met Maryse and Rob, so now is your chance to run. Take off before it’s too late.” Her small laugh and nervous smile trying to cover her discomfort.
“Love, it’s already too late. I’m not going anywhere.” The kiss is just barely on the right side of appropriate, flushing her cheeks a beautiful rosy pink.
My hand at her back, I guide Lis to our table when the announcement is made to please enter the dining room. As I pull her chair out for her, my phone buzzes a text—and immediately starts the phone call buzz. I pull it from my pocket and see it’s Francie.
I decline the call and see a stack of text messages from him, the last demands CALL ME NOW.
“Lisbeth, I have to take this. I’ll be right back, love.” I set my glass in front of her and swipe to call Francie as I make my way out to the lobby.
“Christ, ye need to get your arse here, now. Did ye know? Did ye think to tell me she was comin’? How does Lis feel about this?”
It’s rapid fire, question after question.
“Francie, what are you talkin’ ’bout? Slow down.”
“Aidan, Lorna is here. In the pub. Said she’s here to bring ye home. Ye want to tell me what this is about?” I can practically hear his blood vessels popping through the phone.
“I don’t know. I’ve been trying to reach her for weeks and have heard nothing. When did she get there? And what the fuck—she wants to bring me home?” My mind is racing. What is she doing here? Why now? Should she even be traveling?
“She’s been here an hour or so. I tried to feed her, but the girl’s exhausted. Looks like she’s been up for days. Aidan —”
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I huff out, “Tell her I’ll be there in a minute. Let me—let me tell Lis I have to go.” I end the call and see Lis’ sister smirking at me over her glass of champagne.
Fuck .