She clutched the rope and heaved a breath, returning to the float, the crowds, the festival. She waved and tried a smile. Next to her, Tarryn flung more lollies and then, linking arms with Allie, swung her in an impromptu Irish jig. She seemed unaffected by the kiss, her eyes shining, as if this were the biggest and most welcome party of her life. But then, Tarryn kissed women all the time—why would she be affected? She wasn’t the one pretending to be someone she wasn’t.
Allie longed for another swig from the hidden tequila, but how could she do that when all eyes were on her? Instead, she linked her arm through Tarryn’s and kept on smiling and waving as if she was on a royal tour of the Commonwealth.
By the time the truck reached The Hollowman, the crowds were thicker, the music louder, and Allie had the start of a headache. Their truck stopped beside the stage while the rest of the parade continued past to the finish point. Allie stood close to Tarryn and smiled, applauded, and shouted encouragement to the rest of the parade.
When the final float had passed, they looked at each other. Allie’s heart thumped a nervous rhythm. She’d never thought of the transition moment, when they had to get from the float to the stage where George already waited in front of a low table bedecked with flowers.
Jason stepped forward and walked up to the stage. “Good people, thank you for attending the wedding of Quandong’s most beloved couple, Tarryn and Sophie.” He went on to talk about how this wasn’t a real wedding but was staged to show the love and joy that could be shared and then invited everyone to stay and watch the ceremony before the music and afterparty started. “We’ll have a few minutes’ break for you to grab a cocktail, if you wish, or find your position for the ceremony.”
“I guess that’s our cue.” Allie smiled. “Do you think one of those cocktails will come our way?”
At that moment, there was a whistle from the side of the truck, and Seth stood there, two glasses of bubbles in his hands. “Thought you might enjoy these.” He handed them over and disappeared back to the bar.
“He’s a mind reader,” Tarryn said. She clinked her glass with Allie’s. “We’re nearly done.”
“We are.” Allie’s nerves settled to a gentle simmer. Thiswasfun. Everyone seemed to be enjoying it, and, honestly, who would give a second thought to the women pretending to get married? They were actors on a stage. It wasn’t as if she were really marrying Tarryn. Allie swallowed hard. No. She was here in borrowed finery, drinking what tasted like very expensive champagne, and she was with Tarryn, who had sworn never to marry anyone. She stretched her mouth into a smile. She was being paid for this—well, Sophie was—and she was being paid to put on a show of smiles and looks of love.
She wrapped her free arm around Tarryn’s waist again, and together they watched the milling crowds laughing and drinking cocktails.
“Okay?” She squeezed Tarryn’s waist.
“Yeah. It’s going well. The festival, that is. I’ll still be glad when the next thirty minutes are over.”
“Me too.” Allie leaned over and pecked Tarryn on the cheek.
“That’s not a kiss. What we did earlier was.”
She laughed, and the jitterbugs were back in her stomach. “Save it until the ‘I do.’”
“The ‘I do.’” Some of the light went out of Tarryn’s eyes. “Right.”
Chapter 19
Allie looked over to whereGeorge was on stage, her head through the curtain that separated her from DJStrokes, obviously having a chat with him. She didn’t seem to have nerves—to her it was a job. As it should be for her and Tarryn as well.
Jason was gesticulating from the door of The Hollowman. He was either asking them to get off the truck and get ready, or else giving someone directions to Byron Bay. Taking the hint, Allie and Tarryn got down from the truck. Before they parted, one to each side of the stage, Allie squeezed Tarryn’s hand. “It’ll be okay. Just a few more minutes.”
Tarryn flashed her a wide-eyed look. Her cocky stance—hips pushed forward, hands in the pockets of her pants—didn’t fool Allie: Tarryn was nervous.
With a nod and wink, Jason returned to the stage and picked up the microphone. George straightened her bow tie and tugged her dark suit into place over her sturdy frame.
“Welcome, everyone, to Tarryn and Sophie’s wedding,” Jason said. “Conducting the ceremony is George Patterson from Your Wedding, Your Way, for anyone who wants their wedding done exactly how they want it. Over to you, George.”
Allie stamped on her nerves as George gave an introductory speech about marriage. The tequila roiled like acid in her stomach. How had she ever been talked into doing this?
George wrapped up her speech and extended her hands to each side of the stage. “Tarryn and Sophie.”
Allie swallowed hard and fixed on a smile. She tried to think of someone who would put a romantic, sensual smile on her face. Who? She summoned her usual celebrity fantasies. But Chris Hemsworth and the male singer from a Sydney band faded from her mind. She concentrated, summoning all the romantic and sexual feelings she could muster. Tarryn’s high cheekbones and serious face slid into place. Allie tried to push it aside—after all, it was obvious she would think about Tarryn right now. But try as she might, she couldn’t do it. Tarryn filled her thoughts utterly and completely.
“Tarryn and Sophie,” George repeated.
It would have to do. Summoning the smile again and clutching the bouquet of native flora Phyll had shoved into her hand, Sophie took the slow and careful walk toward George. A swift glance to her right and—thank God—Tarryn was there too. Her steps were jerky, and she looked more like she was part of a funeral procession than a wedding, but she was in place.
Allie placed her free hand in George’s outstretched one. George gave a reassuring squeeze as she encouraged them to come closer and then nudged them until they were side-on to the audience.
“Friends, we are gathered here today to witness the marriage of Tarryn and Sophie.” She drew them closer and placed Allie’s hand in Tarryn’s.
Shivers coursed down Allie’s spine as she listened to George’s opening words.This feels so real. As if she were really about to marry the love of her life. A wave of emotion swamped her, clinging to her skin.
