Brea
My fingers dance restlessly on my thighs, nerves bubbling in my stomach.
I've given myself several mental pep talks this morning as I got ready. Zander's hand moves to my knee, resting heavily on it. I didn't realise it was bouncing until he stopped it. When I look up, his eyes are coated with warmth and encouragement as he gazes at me. My shoulders instantly relax. He seems to have a soothing effect on me.
"You can do this, Angel." Zander murmurs softly, and a slight shiver rolls through at his deep, raspy voice. Ever since we slept together, my feelings for him have only heightened, which I didn't think was possible at this point.
Placing my hand over his, I give it a gentle squeeze.
"I am so thankful you are here."
When he smiles, handsome smile lines appear around the curve of his lips. He should definitely smile more often. It suits him.
The Uber rolls to a stop out the front of a tall, picturesque building that looks like it would cost half my year's salary, if I was hosting my own wedding here. Water fountains are placed elegantly down the path, with gorgeous, white lilies bordering them. It looks like something you would see in the front few pages of a magazine, gossiping about what the latest 'hot spots' are. As much as I hate to admit it, it truly is beautiful.
Exhaling, I step out of the car, holding my dress up so that I don't step on the silk. Heads swivel in our direction as Zander rounds the car, appearing by my side. The warmth of his skin seeps through the thin material of my dress as he lightly presses his hand against the small of my back.
Shock registers on the familiar faces. My friends. Ex-friends.
Zander's hand presses harder into my back, lending me comfort as we walk down the path. Swallowing, I resist the urge to duck my chin and hold my head high, ignoring the stares.
With my new dark hair, and the fiery red dress that fits my body like second skin, I certainly am making a bold statement. The kind of statement that the wedding invite specifically asked us not to do. A part of me feels guilt for stooping low and wearing something like this, knowing it will upset Olivia to the point of us never speaking again after this event, but the other part of me is revelling in the sweet taste of revenge. I've also reached a point that I don't particularly care if I ever speak or see her again after hearing what she has done to me, and how she has treated me and our friendship.
A genuine smile stretches over my face when Gianna strolls down the steps, emptying her champagne glass down her throat with significant speed. She beams when her eyes land on me, and we rush toward each other. The air knocks from my lungs as her long arms tighten around me. I hug her just as hard back, enjoying the feel of holding my best friend once more.
"Thank God you are here," Gianna mutters, stepping back, her grin from ear to ear. "You look fucking sinful, and I am here for it." Turning, her broad smile impossibly brightens as she eyes Zander up and down appreciatively. "And hello to you, tall, dark, and handsome."
Zander chuckles, glancing at me. "Gianna, I presume?"
"I'm sure you've heard everything about me, and I'm here to tell you it's all true," she winks, and Zander's lips twitch, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Now, let's get a drink." Stepping to my side, wrapping an arm around my waist, she pulls me close. "The first of many."
"Sounds good to me."
A lot of mixed emotions whirl around inside my chest, and I try to decipher how I'm feeling. Sadness, a little resentful, betrayed, but also a sense of relief that this isn't me. I got out of a very toxic situation. The thought of having tied myself to a man who cared so little about me makes me feel nauseous.
We make our way over to the bar, and my eyes sweep around the groups that are gathered around us. I feel a pang of sadness that none of these people have reached out to me to see how I'm doing with any of this. They cut me out, and pretended I never existed.
I haven't been gone long, but nothing feels the same. Like everyone has grown up since I left. Or maybe it is me who has changed.
When I think back to all our times together, it was always going out, drinking too much, staying out all night until night turned into day. Maybe we never really were true friends at all. Except for Gianna, of course. The one and only person here I truly can depend on. She is genuine through and through.
Apprehension fills me when I see a black limo pull up to the curb. Mitch, and his grooms party step out of it. My stomach hits the floor seeing him wrapped in his impeccable suit, flanked by his friends. Our friends. Or so I thought they were.
Bristling, I watch as the charming smile forms on his face, and he begins greeting people, strutting down the pathway without a care in the world. Seeing him again leaves with a bad taste in my mouth, dredging up thoughts and memories I have done well to submerge.
I can't help releasing a sharp bark of laughter, which has almost every pair of eyes turning in my direction. I slap a hand across my mouth, mortified I let that slip. It's just... Mitch... the guy who swore up and down he would never settle down, and never want to marry, is literally getting married only a few short months after our breakup.
Mitch's head snaps towards me, and his lips spread into a thin line when he realises it was me who laughed. His eyes dip over my body, and I feel myself flush under the scrutiny. I can tell he still has a reaction to seeing me, the lust in his gaze is undeniable, but I can also see an undertone of anger simmering in those stormy eyes of his. In his mind, he would somehow be the victim in this situation.
Gianna lets out an unlady-like snort beside me, plucking our drinks from the bartender, and shoving them into my hand. I don't think we are even supposed to be drinking yet, since no one else has a glass in their hand.
"Mitch?" Zander guesses, his eyes tracking Mitch's movements as he turns his back on us, continuing to greet his guests.
"The one and only."
With my heartbeat loud in my ears, I take a long swig of my drink, and it burns as I swallow it down. We move away from the bar, finding a secluded area that is out of the way of everyone. Mitch not-so-subtly swerves around our group, acting as if we aren't even there, which is no issue for me. Despite me being here, dressed like this, I'm not sure I'm ready to face him. Not until I have a few of these champagnes, at least.
The wedding MC introduces herself and tells us to make our way inside. My stomach does somersaults as I walk up the stairs, avoiding the ogling eyes of everyone around us. Maybe wearing such a vibrant dress wasn't a good idea after all, but there is no going back now.
When everyone divides, sitting on either side, I'm suddenly stuck on which side to choose. Olivia was my friend, but Mitch was very recently my boyfriend. I'm not sure who's side I'm meant to sit on. When Gianna guides us toward Olivia's side of the seating arrangements, I'm thankful she made that decision for me.
Zander sits beside me, turning to gaze down at me. "Doing okay?"
I nod., hoping I look more relaxed than I feel on the inside. "As good as I can be. And you?"
"Fine," he replies, looking characteristically unphased.
God, he looks handsome. Devastatingly handsome.
"You scrub up all right, Cowboy," I smile.
He nudges his arm into mine, cheeks flushing lightly at the compliment.
The wait for Olivia and her bridal party to arrive feels like it takes forever, when in fact it was only a few minutes. The music begins to play, and everyone gets to their feet. Gianna and I exchange a look of dread before pushing to our feet. Slowly, I turn, staring at the door, focusing on inhaling, and exhaling. It's difficult to hear the music over the drum of my own heartbeat in my ears. I don't know why I'm so nervous to see her. I've always felt anxious around Olivia, so it makes sense to feel this and more on a day like this. After everything that has happened.
Olivia's two sisters walk down the aisle, the two bridesmaids of the bridal party. It doesn't appear she has a maid of honour. Possibly because the wedding was so last minute.
I blink, and she is there. The tension builds in my shoulders as Olivia strides down the aisle. Her eyes roam over her guests, locking on mine. Her step falters and the radiant smile on her face vanishes. Her upper lip twitches as her eyes dart over my attire. Glaring back unflinchingly, I offer her the biggest, fakest smile I can muster. Anger pools in her eyes and her chin jerks upward. Eyes glance between the both of us, and within a moment, the smile I is back on her face, as if the last three seconds didn't happen.
"Yikes," Zander mutters.
"You felt that, too?" Gianna replies with a low whistle. "The temperature just dropped a few degrees."
My gaze skips over the curious onlookers, and I sit down well before anyone else does. After a few moments, everyone else joins me. My eyes rake over the two of them as they stare at each other, holding hands. I shake my head, unable to stomach the thought of them together. The audacity of the both of them, and to invite me to the damn wedding. They must think I'm a fucking idiot.
My stomach churns. My head pulses. My heartrate sky rockets.
I can't be here. I can't do this.
This was a mistake.
My back is stiff as a board as they begin. The more they exchange words, the louder my heartbeat drills inside my skull. When they begin their vows, I shoot up to my feet. A deafening silence envelopes the room as people turn to stare at me. Zander rises beside me.
Turning my back on them, I walk out of the room.