He breathes in sharply, nodding, as he remembers that we’ve met.
The first and only time I met Alex’s best friend was just before he married Zara. Alex was late to the church, so I went to look for him. I found him in a dark alleyway where Ed was giving him a pep talk.
‘We’ll be there in a minute,’ Ed had said to me firmly when I’d asked if everything was okay.
But then Alex turned and whispered to him, prompting Ed to stare at me in shock.
‘What are you doing here?’ he asked.
‘I’m photographing the wedding,’ I told him, holding up my camera.
The look on Ed’s face was incredulous. ‘She’s photographing the wedding?’ he asked Alex.
‘I’m Bronte,’ I said, unsure of what was going on.
‘Iknowwho you are.’
And it was clear from his tone that he kneweverything.
Alex wanted a minute alone with me, but the hard look that Ed gave me as he stalked past still haunts me to this day.
Of course, Alex did go through with marrying Zara, but it all came crashing down just weeks later. To know I was the cause of that breakdown fills me with shame.
But, even if I hadn’t been in love with Lachie, I’m not sure Alex and I could have picked up the pieces. I would have been the woman who broke up a decade-long relationship. Zara had been an integral part of Alex’s life for so long – accepted by all of his friends and family. The easy way his mother spoke to me when she thought I was just Bronte,there to do the photos, would have transformed into something altogether more suspicious and disagreeable. It would have been the worst possible start to a burgeoning relationship. We never stood a chance.
So yeah. That was the first and only time I met Alex’s mate Ed.
‘I guess we should be getting back,’ Alex says after our short stint of mutual reminiscing.
‘Yes.’ I gather my things together.
We walk back, side by side. Neither of us speaks until we’re a block away from the office.
‘Maybe we could go for lunch again next week?’ Alex suggests, casting me a sideways glance.
I hesitate before answering. ‘I don’t think that’s going to be possible.’
‘Oh.’ He sounds taken aback. ‘Okay.’ And disappointed.
‘Sorry, it’s just… Lachie wouldn’t like it.’
‘Oh! Okay. Sure,’ he says quickly. ‘I wasn’t meaning—’
‘No, I know!’ I cut him off, self-consciously. ‘It’s just, you know, this was supposed to be a one-off. Closure.’
‘Fine. Sure, I get it.’
How awkward?
He rolls the sleeves of his shirt down as we walk. There’s a proper chill in the air today. Not that I’d know, because my face is burning.
‘I’m sorry,’ I say again, feeling bad.
‘Don’t be,’ he insists, protesting. ‘I totally understand. It was good to see you. Give my best to Lachie, too, please.’ His voice sounds strained, but only from embarrassment, I think.
‘I will.’
We walk into the building together and he presses the button for the lift. The doors open immediately and we step in.
