When Clarissa finally reaches the front, my brother is vibrating with pure joy. The difference between the colour of their outfits is vast, but the expression on their ecstatic faces is very much the same.
Under a white wicker arch adorned with stunning lilies, Clarissa and Conor make their vows. There isn’t a dry eye in the place. Even Mam is hurriedly sweeping the dampness from her cheeks. I haven’t seen her cry since her own mother passed away fifteen years ago.
I hold Nate’s hand as the registrar pronounces them man and wife, wondering if this will ever be Nate and me someday. If the bet he made with his sister Ava is anything to go by, it looks like a distinct possibility.
Conor leans towards Clarissa, and when their lips touch, the guests erupt, clapping and cheering. They break apart, beaming at each other, and Conor takes Clarissa’s hand and raises it in triumph.
The song they chose to walk out to begins, Florence’s ‘You’ve Got the Love’, and as the happy couple stroll by us along the plush red carpet, Conor proffers an affectionate wink.
My heart is overflowing with happiness for the two of them.
I blink back the tears threatening to spoil my carefully applied make-up and turn to my boyfriend. ‘That was so beautiful.’
‘You’re beautiful.’ His lips graze my ear as he ushers me out to the drinks reception directly outside the ballroom.
A semi-circle shaped bar has been set up at the far end of the room, while two long tables flank the stone-coloured walls on either side.
Waitresses circulate, offering champagne flutes and tiny delicious looking canapés. A harpist has set up in the corner of the room, strumming out soft classical Christmas songs.
Conor and Clarissa pose for photos in front of an indoor water feature carved in the shape of the Greek goddess, Aphrodite, while Mam and Dad are busy shaking hands with Clarissa’s parents.
While the guests regularly sneak glances at Nate and me, most eyes are firmly on the bride and groom. Their love overshadows our recent antics by far.
I scan the crowd for Savannah and Ashley. They’re huddled at the mahogany bar, sipping on what looks like Sancerre. It could be one of those nights again. I accept a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and hand it to Nate before taking another for me.
‘Would you like a big wedding?’ Nate’s hand falls to the base of my spine as he sips the champagne from his glass.
A fizzing of its own shoots through my veins. ‘I haven’t really given it much thought.’
‘Well, perhaps it’s time you started.’ His fingers caress my skin through the dress and goosebumps ripple across my back. ‘Now I’ve found you, I want to make you mine. Really mine.’
‘I am yours,’ I tell him solemnly.
‘I know, but I want to make it official.’
‘Even more official than hijacking a fire engine and publicly serenading me?’
‘Even more official than that.’ The grin on Nate’s lips freezes as his focus falls to the main entrance. A striking man with dark hair and grey eyes zeroes in on us with a frown and a quick disapproving flick of his head.
‘Uh-oh.’ Nate exhales a low whistle.
‘What?’
‘That’s my agent, Jayden Cooper. And he doesn’t look too happy with me.’
I crane my neck as Jayden stalks towards us with a glare.
‘I must be in bigger trouble than I thought if he’s come to drag me out of here personally,’ Nate sniggers.
Jayden finally reaches us. ‘For fuck’s sake, Nate, I thought I told you to keep a low profile?’ His voice is weighted with exasperation.
‘A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do. It could be worse. At least I’m not back on the coke.’ Nate slaps Jayden on the back as if to say ‘lighten up.’
‘Huh, with that type of crazy fire engine karaoke, people will wonder.’ Jayden offers a more vigorous, exasperated head shake.
‘I’m high on life,’ Nate smirks. His arm rises from my lower back to rest protectively across my shoulders. ‘Jayden, this is my girlfriend, Holly. Holly, this is my pain in the ass agent, Jayden.’
The frown on Jayden’s face unfurls until his eyebrows are wiggling in a suggestive dance. ‘I fucking told you she was “the one” though, didn’t I?’
