Page 79 of Blindsided
I smile my thanks and turn to look away from him, terrified that he’ll see the hopes and dreams written all over my face, and it’ll scare him away. He can’t even admit to being in a relationship with me, so the last thing I need to do is tell him that I fantasise about our wedding day.
The music changes, drawing the attention towards the Harris children coming down the aisle. It’s complete anarchy as Sophia rolls over Teddy’s foot with the wagon, and he starts crying. Poppy has to save him while Rocky is attempting to spin her way in circles down the aisle. Joey and Bex seem more interested in licking their tulle dresses than paying attention to the show around them, while Milo is still trying to make the great escape out of the wagon. It’s all truly the most adorable mess I’ve ever seen, and the entire sanctuary is in stitches through the whole thing.
Vi, Sloan, Poppy, Belle, and Indie end up having to walk alongside them while their husbands pop out into the aisle to encourage the little ones’ progress. It’s sweet really, like herding the most adorable kittens you’ve ever seen.
Once the children find their seats with their parents, the music changes, and it’s Allie’s turn to walk down the aisle.
Her father looks stoic as he ushers his daughter towards her fiancé. I chance a glance at Roan, and his face is the picture of happiness as he awaits his bride. Allie and Roan had a whirlwind romance that was almost torn apart at one point, but they found their way back to each other.
The ceremony is beautiful, and tears are shed throughout the church, even by Mac, who looks so happy for his friend, it starts to give me that shred of hope again.
We make our way to the reception, and it’s a dark, romantic display of dim yellow lighting and pale pink and white flowers toppling out of tall tapered vases. The room is buzzing with happiness for the bride and groom as we take our seats for dinner.
After standing to watch Allie and Roan have their first dance as a couple, the DJ invites other couples out onto the floor.
Suddenly, Mac’s large hands wrap around my waist from behind. “I know you think I’m a crap dancer, but would you do me the honour anyway, Cookie?”
I smile and tip my head back against his chest. “I thought you’d never ask.”
He turns me in his arms, and I wrap my hands around his neck while he walks us back into the mix of other couples. My cheek rests on Mac’s chest as we dance slowly, letting our bodies reconnect after being apart for only twenty-four hours.
“I missed you last night,” I say, pulling back and smiling up at him.
Mac’s velvety eyes are fierce on mine as he reaches out to tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear. “Aye, I missed you too.”
I nuzzle into his touch. “I’ve got kind of used to your snoring these past couple of weeks.”
He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.
“Are you coming back to my place tonight, then?”
Mac looks away, and his brow is furrowed when he says, “I don’t think so.”
“I suppose we could go to yours since Allie and Roan won’t be returning,” I reply, combing my fingers through his hair. I pull him down so I can whisper in his ear. “Now might be a good time to tell you that I’m not wearing any knickers under this dress.”
Mac groans and shakes his head, his body going tense under my hands. I smile and look up once more, wanting to see the desire on his face that I’ve grown used to. My smile fades as I note the hardness in his eyes, which are looking everywhere but at me. “I think maybe it’d be better for us to stay apart tonight.”
My lips part in surprise. “Why?”
Mac swallows what looks to be a painful knot in his throat. “I have some news.”
I feel my brows pinch. “Okay…What kind of news?”
He looks away from me as if he can’t stomach making eye contact with me as he replies, “I’m in the process of getting transferred to Glasgow Rangers.”
My body freezes, my feet stopping their movement. “What do you mean, ‘transferred’?”
He exhales heavily and turns to look down at me, a coldness in his eyes that I’ve never seen before. “It means I’ll play for them this season. Not Bethnal Green.”
“Okaaay,” I reply slowly, my eyes swimming as I attempt to process this information. “So, how does that work? Does this mean you’re moving to Scotland?”
“Aye. I’m heading to Glasgow on Monday to do a fitness test that will likely check out fine, and afterwards, I’ll look at some flats—”
“Wait a second,” I interrupt with a laugh and pull my arms down from his neck. “So you’re literally moving? To Glasgow?”
He blinks once. “Aye.”
“Why?” I ask, beginning to feel faint as my mind whirls with this news, and my heart threatens to beat out of my chest.
