Page 30 of The Fool
Snapping me out of my Nathaniel Carter musings, the groom stands to the sound of cheering and clapping. His first few words reveal how beautiful he thinks his new wife is, causing her to look even more embarrassed. However, he doesn’t seem to care. Given his goofy expression, it’s as if they are the only two people in the room. I can only imagine what the wedding night is going to be like; there won’t be a lot of sleep is all I’m going to say on that matter. After he’s calmed his gushing to a reasonable level, he does the dutiful thanking of the bridesmaids, the family, Nathaniel, and finally, everyone for coming. He hands out a few special gifts to the bridesmaids, Helena for her decorations, Nathaniel for being his best man, and the mother of the bride, before finally embracing his own mother with an elaborate bunch of flowers.
Now, before I finish,he begins, looking mischievous with blushed cheeks and a guilty smile,I know a few of you have been a little shocked by how long Lily and I have waited to finally tie the knot, seeing as I’ve been very vocal on the matter. You know me, I don’t hang around when I want something. After all, we got engaged fairly quickly after meeting.
He pauses when some of the guests begin their mumbles of agreement.
Some of you feel that I’ve let my bride keep me waiting for longer than I am used to, that I am already ‘brow beaten’.
Cue more giggles.
Though, I think I have permission to now let you all in on a little secret.
He looks at his new wife, who gives him a subtle nod. He picks up his tumbler of hard liquor as if bracing himself with liquid courage. Once he’s placed the crystal glass back onto the table, he gifts everyone with a cheeky smirk, drawing out his announcement, and making the impatient crowd wait that little bit longer for his surprise.
Lily and I are already married. Have been for years.
Lily immediately covers her face with both hands, while the crowd gasps with shock.
I’m afraid we were married just after Christmas, the year we got engaged.
He laughs at Callie and Nathaniel, who are now exchanging horrified expressions.
To my beautiful wife, who, by the way, is wearing a dress that I personally chose for her, I love you, and always will.
The crowd cheers and Lily stands to kiss her already husband.
“So, no need for a wedding night then?” Nate calls out over the roar of cheers, which then turn into rounds of chuckles.
“Oh, there will be a wedding night alright, right, babe?” Cameron grins at Lily, who is gulping back her own glass of champagne.
Fuck, that’s romantic! I’m feeling so jealous right now, I have to pour myself another glass of wine and slurp it down continuously until it’s all gone.
Chapter 11
Bea
After the room has been cleared, Cameron and Lily take to the dance floor for the first song while we all look on and sigh. Callie and I watch for a while, taking in the happy couple with their silly grins, then high tail it to the free bar outside. There’s only so much love and happiness I can take before I slip into a deep depression. I follow Callie’s lead and take up a position near the bar with quick access to booze and a good viewpoint. Callie wastes no time in ordering a couple of shots, as well as two margaritas. Just as we knock back the first shot and giggle a little, James comes up behind us with Nathaniel trailing behind. From the looks of things, it would appear the two of them have made up since last Saturday.
“I see you two are taking full advantage of the free bar,” James comments with his soft smile and his arm planted firmly over my shoulders.
“It’s only polite, my dear James,” Callie says with such a serious expression, I end up laughing at her. “Besides, we plan to dance soon and that means we need some good old fashioned dancing juice,” she declares, then turns to give me my second shot. “Cheers!”
“Anyone caught your eye, Callie?” James asks, looking around and gesturing toward a group of suits out front.
“Hmmm, there’re a few older guys who have peaked the material girl in me, but I’m keeping my options open at the moment. Sheesh, there sure is a lot of money floating around here, including Mr Best Man behind you.” She points over my shoulder, so I turn to see Nathaniel, who has now lost his jacket and tie.
“Darling, never go back, only move forward,” Nathaniel replies, to which she winks with a wicked smirk.
“What about you, beautiful?” James asks, snapping me back to look at him. “I can’t believe you ditched the barman last week; he was seriously hot.”
“I’m sure Miss Summers saw that he had ‘one night only’ written all over him,” Nathaniel pipes up, smiling wickedly as he does so. “And I’m guessing Miss Summers only participates in romcom fairytale endings, don’t you, Miss Summers?”
I try to ignore his jibe and pretend it doesn’t bother me by putting on a tight smile and holding my tongue. Though, Callie’s dousing me with alcohol might encourage me to loosen my tongue and say something that will lead me into unemployment.
“Tell me, when was the last time you dropped your panties for some poor bastard?” he asks as he chuckles inside of his glass, before taking a large gulp of something that I hope chokes him.
Meanwhile, Callie hits him in the chest with her purse which is the same color as my flushed cheeks.
“I’m joking, I’m joking!” he laughs, shooting his hands up in a defensive stance.