Tom
Tom had been practicing what he was going to say to Daisy in the back of the taxi. That he knew it was bad timing, but he’d never forgive himself... That he was sorry, but he had to tell her now... He had worked himself up into such a frenzy about it that he was ready to just blurt it out the second she opened the door, before he even took a single photo. Without realizing it, he’d been holding on to his feelings for so long that the acknowledgment of them had brought them so close to the surface, they were likely to all come tumbling out with one look at Daisy’s face.
He followed the numbers down the corridor toward the bridal suite, stopping as he saw two women ahead of him, knocking on the same room he was headed for.Fuck.It was Clara. And beside her must be the internet con artist girlfriend, except... Clara’s hand was resting on her bum and she was leaning against Clara, her head on her shoulder. So maybe... not a con artist, after all?
He walked closer, just as the door swung open, and there was Daisy, immediately knocking the breath out of him. She was in a dress that he’d never have imagined her wearing, but was still perfect on her. He was pretty sure he’d have thought the sameif she’d answered wearing a sack. Her hair fell in waves around her face, which lit up when she saw him, red lips forming into a smile as her eyes creased in the corners. His mouth fell immediately dry. He tried to say something and he couldn’t. All he could do was stare, aware that at some point he needed to close his mouth. God, she was beautiful. He’d always known it, from the moment he saw her standing under the streetlight, the edges of her face catching the beams. She was beautiful at 4:00 a.m. with her tired eyes and her rotating selection of outfits. She was beautiful flinging herself around a ceilidh, or laughing at him from a changing room, or leaning back in mock horror as Martha ate some of her ice cream, or even just the back of her as she leaned in to really take in his photography. Today, she was a different Daisy, and breathtaking in an entirely new way.
Tom ran through how to say any of this, especially in front of these people, but then Daisy disappeared into the bathroom with Clara and all the words he had for her died on his lips. This was her day, and he couldn’t ruin it.
Instead, with shaking hands, he introduced himself to everyone, trying to play it cool as he met the intriguing Dan with his curly hair and open face and Daisy’s mother, who had so much light in her eyes. Tom hid the fact he knew everything about this Leisha person as he leaned in to kiss her on the cheek, but as he took her in, it was immediately apparent she was truly not the catfish Daisy had been expecting.
“She doesn’t seem okay,” Dan whispered to his mum as Tom listened, trying to still the speed at which his heart was racing as Clara and Daisy stood locked on the other side of the bathroom door.
“I don’t know her,” Leisha said, holding her hands up. “I’ve just met her today, but that doesn’t seem like the face of someone who can’t wait to get married today.”
“It doesn’t,” Daisy’s mum said, and Tom kept his camerahanging around his neck because, sure, he was there to take photos, but he couldn’t interrupt what was going on to bring that up. At some point—and this wasn’t his usual style—he was just hoping they’d notice his camera and suggest they pose for him. Until then he felt his role was probably to stay out of everyone’s way, or, you know, maybe save their daughter, their sister, their friend from marrying the completely wrong guy. Or at least, that’s what he hoped Zack was.
“She’s seemed different ever since I got back,” Dan said quietly. “Has something happened?”
Daisy’s mum shrugged. “I don’t know. She hasn’t said anything to me.”
Dan snorted. “Well obviously she wouldn’t. Neither of us used to talk to you about anything.”
Tom readied himself for some fight to break out but Daisy’s mum just gave a sad smile. “I know.”
Leisha checked her watch. “Isn’t she supposed to be walking down the aisle right about now?”
Dan looked at his mum. “What do we do? I don’t exactly want to encourage her to get out there, if it isn’t what she wants. I’m not even sure about the guy myself.”
“Right?” Leisha murmured. “I know Clara is freaking out about him being her therapist, so I guess—”
“I hate to be a dick but I sort of need to walk my sister down the aisle,” Dan said, knocking at the door before turning to Leisha. “Wait. What?”
“Therapist?” Daisy’s mum said as Tom shuddered involuntarily.
What? Zack was Daisy’s therapist? Was that... lawful? Morally dubious? Surely against some sort of code of conduct, anyway. She’d never told Tom that, but then why would she? Why would she tell anyone? Tom thought back through his one meeting with them. Did he give that impression? Tom had been too focused onhow anxious Daisy seemed. He’d just tried to make it all as quick and easy as possible for her. He didn’t recall much about Zack.
Daisy opened the door and Tom knew it was now or never for him. If he didn’t say something to her, immediately, it would be too late.
“Okay. Let’s go get married,” Daisy said, and one by one supportive smiles broke out across the faces of everyone waiting. Everyone except Tom, who was frozen into position, staring ahead.
Dan held his arm out to Daisy, glancing quickly across at their mum, eyes widening. This was it. This was the only chance Tom would get.
“Wait!” he shouted. “Sorry. Can I just...” He held up a finger, everyone in the room turning to stare at him. “I’m so sorry, I just need a few photos of the bride alone in here before we go. If you’re all okay to just...” He nodded toward the door.If you all could just fuck off for a minute, is what he wanted to say.
Daisy looked from him to the group standing and waiting, and back again.
“It’ll take one minute,” he said, and Clara rallied everyone out with more enthusiasm than Tom had seen on her face all afternoon, closing the door behind them and leaving them in silence.
He turned to face Daisy, ignoring the double bed beside them with the duvet thrown back. He knew what she looked like at 4:00 a.m., but what did she look like before that, when she first woke up, her head still on the pillow? He wanted to know. He wanted to know everything about her. She stood before him, her chest rising and falling and her eyes locked on his face.
“My God, Tom, I’m so sorry for what happened on the bus.” She spoke fast, her eyes overly bright.
“Daisy, I—” Tom blurted out at the same time.
They stopped, locking eyes and laughing gently. He lickedhis lips and reached for her hand. She stared down at their fingers, looking back up and reaching, with her other hand, to the back of her neck.
“You go,” she said, her fingers trembling.
