two years later
Mallory
September was almost over, and my part-time teaching job would start up again. To the shock of everyone around me, I dropped my Economics course and got a qualification in education instead.
Reid's crash threw my life in a completely different direction. I wonder if without it, would I have wanted change? My neatly paved-out path would still track ahead without me, but would I follow it?
After Reid left me at the Lake four years ago, I sought out Nick. Initially, I wanted comfort, but Nick deserved more. He was sweet and generous when Reid wasn't there for me. Our relationship blossomed into something steadying and comforting.
Now, we lived together in an apartment miles from everyone we used to know, enjoying our well-earned privacy and seclusion. Waking up next to Nick every morning was a privilege.
I was flipping pancakes one morning when Nick came into the kitchen and kissed my cheek. "Hi, gorgeous."
I turned my head to smile at him. "Hey. Look what I'm making." I pointed at the stove.
He grinned, walking back to the living room as he tossed a comment over his shoulder. "My favourite. I'll get the mail."
Nick quickly returned to me with a pile of paper in his hands. He sat on the counter, shifting letters through the pile and quickly glancing at them.
"Mallory, look at this." Nick murmured. I frowned, turning off the stove. His brow was furrowed, and he was staring at an envelope with a message written in fancy script on the front. He took out the letter and quickly read the lines at the top. "It's a wedding invite. Tony's getting married."
I looked at the enclosed picture and froze, recognising the bride. It was Kennedy, my best friend from high school. She was beaming at her fiance with pride in her eyes.
I frowned, looking up at Nick. "Kennedy was my best friend in high school. How on earth did she meet Tony?"
"Really?" Nick asked, looking shocked.
"Yes. Kennedy and I met Reid at the same time." I told Nick numbly, barely able to think straight. I didn't register that I had said Reid's name for the first time in years.
I looked back at the picture again. It was a snapshot of Tony and Kennedy together. Tony's eyes smiled at me, identical to his brother's. My heart stuttered for a moment, then I regained control. Thinking about Reid still hurt me.
Nick looked at me strangely, but he didn't comment. He turned back to the invite, scanning the page. "They're having a pre-wedding rehearsal next week. Kennedy wants you to be a bridesmaid."
"What about Tony?" I asked.
Nick shrugged. "He offered me groomsman, but I'd feel awkward. We lost touch ages ago."
I eyed him. "I'm not close to Tony or Kennedy, either. Not anymore."
Nick raised his eyebrows at me. "You say that, but who did you call up drunk at your last birthday party?"
I smiled. "Well, Tony used to be my voice of reason when I was in college. Listening to him was never a good decision."
"I'm shocked you made it out alive." Nick quipped.
"I know. But it's too bad. You'd make a wonderful bridesmaid." I teased him.
My boyfriend grinned at me, his dark eyes light with humor. "I would look pretty good in a gown. Maybe I'll reconsider it."
I hugged him, looking up into his eyes with my chin on his chest. "I know you will. Where is the wedding, anyway?"
Nick glanced at the invitation. "Cancun, apparently. I've heard about the hotel they're getting married in, it's pretty famous."
My eyebrows shot up. "Wow, that's far. So we have to fly out next week?"
"Apparently." Nick said, as surprised as I was. He kissed me on the cheek, then stood from his seat. "I have to go work, but we'll discuss this later."
I looked at Nick's retreating back and wondered how I'd got to this point in my life, where everything was the opposite of my dreams in college. Before Reid.
A week later, Nick and I arrived in Scotland. As we made our way to baggage, I stifled a yawn and asked sleepily, "When are we getting to the hotel?"
Nick kissed me on the head. "Soon, sweetheart. I texted Tony, and he said we'll be meeting the other bridesmaids and groomsmen outside the airport."
I stared at my boyfriend, my heart beating faster. Suddenly, it became hard to breathe. At Tony's wedding, his cousin would definitely be at least a groomsman. If not best man. "Is everyone meeting here?"
Nick avoided my eyes. "He's not going to be here, if that's what you're asking. Him and Nina are flying in late, so we'll only see them at the actual wedding."
"Are you sure?" I demanded, my chest settling.
Nick touched my cheek with his fingertips, searching my eyes. "Mallory, I wouldn't say that if I wasn't sure. I know this is important to you."
I forced a smile, kissing him lightly. "You're important to me. That's all that matters."
Nick grinned, taking my hand in his. "Come on, let's go see everyone. Cleo's going to be there, obviously. Nina isn't a bridesmaid."
A vicious satisfaction settled in my stomach when I heard that. Of course Tony wouldn't want his bitter ex-crush to be bridesmaid at his wedding. I tried to imagine Reid, Nina, Tony and Kennedy on a double date, and a sick feeling grew in my stomach.
When we stepped out of the airport into the wintry air of Scotland, I registered Cleo's brown eyes, familiar as my own hands. Her smile widened and she ran over to me, squeezing me in a hug. She smelled nice, like bark. "Mallory! It's been so, so long."
I hugged Cleo back, barely able to speak. I talked to her as much as I could, but it was hard keeping touch over long-distance. "I can't believe you're here."
Cleo moved away from me and I took in the lighter brown of her hair as she smiled at me, looking over her shoulder. " Your dress is gorgeous, by the way. Wait a second, Emily's looking at pretzels or something."
She dashed off, presumably to find this girl, and returned with a gorgeous blonde on her arm. "This is Emily, my girlfriend." Cleo introduced her. Emily smiled graciously at Nick and I, immediately reaching out for a hug.
"It's great to meet you guys. Cleo has told me so much about her university friends." Emily joked with a bright smile. I caught traces of a French accent in her voice.
Nick and I introduced ourselves, then he went over to greet a guest that he recognised from his Physics course. Cleo leaned into me, whispering, "So you're still dating Nick?"
I gave her a look. "Trust me, I know your opinions. But he's treated me well for the past two years. I have zero complaints."
Cleo glared at me. "Actually, I was going to say that I'm happy you found someone. We all need companionship, at the end of the day."
I feigned shock. "I can't believe this is happening. Are you actually saying something mature for once?"
Cleo pushed me away, grinning. "We've all matured since university, Mallory."
I sobered upon hearing that. "Very true. Do you know if..?" I swallowed lightly, unable to finish my sentence. But Cleo understood.
Her eyes became sad. "I don't know anything about Reid anymore. He cut off contact with everyone from university, except Nina and Tony."
Fury simmered in my stomach when I heard Nina's name. But I controlled it, and just raised my eyebrows doubtfully. "Do you think he's happy with Nina?"
Cleo shrugged. "Not as happy as he could be."
I sighed, bitterness coating my heart. "It's too late now, anyway."
"Is it?" Cleo challenged, I saw the question in her eyes. What would happen when we saw each other again?
I looked away, staring at the horizon. "I have no idea, Cleo. I'm confused."
Her sharp expression melted and she gave me another hug, speaking into my shoulder. "Trust me, I get it." she retreated and smiled tentatively. "Are you ready to go?"
I affirmed that I was. We rejoined Nick and the other bridesmaids and grooms. I didn't recognise most of them, but I assumed that was because of my distance with Kennedy and Tony.
We were directed to a tour bus by the wedding planner; the former dropped us off at a hotel, which was the wedding venue. The hotel overlooked a gorgeous beach, and the exterior garden was enormous.
Nick held my hand in his reassuringly, and I steeled myself to reunite with Tony and Kennedy.
When we got into the hotel, the first person I saw was Kennedy waiting by the stairs. Her skin was glowing with health against her little white dress, and the smile on her face looked genuine. The other bridesmaids squealed and jumped on her, obviously thrilled to see the bride. Tony was right next to her, and the groomsmen hurried over to him.
My heart ached painfully when I saw Tony. He looked exactly as he did two years ago, which meant he bore a striking resemblance to his cousin. His eyes, his lithe built. His confidence. I saw Reid hiding in every little trace of Tony.
I saw Kennedy's brother Euan, who was one of our party, walk up to his sister and hug her. The moment was so touching. Kennedy's eyes flickered over her brother's shoulder to me, then Cleo, and her jaw dropped. She smiled and excused herself, wandering over to us. This was the first time we were meeting in two years.
For a moment, we just stood there staring at each other. Then Kennedy grinned. "No hugs for me?"
I rushed over to my best friend, colliding with her in the biggest hug I could give. Kennedy laughed, staggering backwards as Cleo joined us. I beamed, my eyes watering with tears. "I can't believe you're getting married!" I squealed.
Kennedy rolled her eyes. "I know, right? Especially to Tony. Who knew he was Reid's brother?"
"I knew." Tony piped up. He slid next to us, giving everyone a lopsided grin. I ran my eyes over his face, taking in the similarities I remembered. He really didn't change at all.
"Tony!" I squealed, giving him a hug.
Tony's grin became a genuine smile as he hugged me back. "I'm so happy you came." he said joyfully, flicking me on the nose.
"Wouldn't miss it, even if I was giving birth." I shot back.
His eyes widened. "Wait, you're..?"
"Ever heard of a theoretical situation?" Cleo posed to Tony, while Kennedy just burst into laughter.
She hit her fiance lightly on his chest, smirking up at him. "You really need to work on your humor if we're going to get married."
"But you love it." Tony countered, drawing Kennedy into his chest. They kissed, and Cleo and I grimaced.
"If you're going to kiss our best friend, do it far away from us?" Cleo pleaded with Tony. "I don't think I can stomach seeing you guys kiss."
Tony frowned. "But she's my fiance."
"Don't worry, I ask myself why every day." Kennedy agreed, and we all laughed.
"Is this the reunion party?" Nick asked, sliding into the conversation. He put his arm around my shoulders, smiling as Cleo introduced him to Kennedy. Tony's eyes narrowed as he watched Nick's closeness to me, but he said nothing.
"So Nick." Tony started, and I internally wanted to sprint away while I could. He stared at my boyfriend, his eyes glittering. "Are you treating Mallory right?"
Nick smiled, unfazed. "You should ask her."
"But I'm asking you." Tony challenged. "Since Mallory is an only child, I'm basically her honorary brother."
Nick nodded. "I get it. Mallory is my first priority, and I'm doing my best to make her feel like she is that."
"Tony, can you tone down the overprotectiveness?" I interjected, folding my arms. "Nick was right, you should ask me how I'm feeling about my own relationship."
Tony turned to me, looking apologetic. "Sorry, you're right. It's just fun to tease him, that's all."
Nick frowned at Tony, but the to-be groom ended the conversation by asking for everyone's attention. He smiled at the guests. "This is everyone who will be our bridesmaids and groomsmen! I'll pass on to my gorgeous fiance. She'll talk about the arrangements for the next week."
Kennedy continued, her eyes bright with joy. "We have a beach party scheduled tomorrow for everyone to get to know each other. Following that, we'll have a short wedding rehearsal. The actual wedding will be a few days afterwards, and we'll have plenty of time to spend together in between. We just want everyone to relax and enjoy the proceedings. We'll announce the maid of honor and best man now."
Tony looked directly at me. "Kennedy wants Mallory to be her maid of honor."
Kennedy smiled, but it was dimmer than normal. She looked into my eyes, begging me to understand what she was going to say. "Reid, who will be joining us later with his date, is Tony's best man."
Ice slivered down my spine as everyone cheered. Reid and I would clearly be spending more time together than I thought.
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