Page 56 of Try Hard

We arrived at the doors of the venue and joined the small queue waiting to get inside.

It really was an amazing feeling just getting to hold Ophelia as we stood amongst the guests.

I’d spent so much time around her and other people wishing I could be hers, that I could love her out loud, and now, there we were, tangled together, undoubtedly a couple even to those who hadn’t seen the social media storm. I was the luckiest woman in the world.

I grinned when we made it to the front of the line and were greeted by Kieran, Adnan, and some of the other groomsmen.

Kieran looked between me and Ophelia. “Well, I guess you two can just pick whichever side you want. I can’t imagine you want to sit on opposite sides of the aisle for the whole thing.”

I scoffed. “After how long it took me to get to this point? Absolutely not. We’ll share a single seat before we sit apart.”

“No need for that. There are plenty of seats.” He sucked in a breath and, despite how certain and happy I knew he was, I saw a hint of nervousness. I got that. It was like the nerves before a match, knowing it was going to be amazing but the wait was agony.

I clapped my free hand on his shoulder. “We’re happy for you, man, and really glad we could be here.”

Ophelia smiled genuinely next to me. “It’s going to go great.”

I wasn’t surprised she’d picked up on the nerves too. She always had been perceptive.

He nodded. “Well, I guess I’ll see you on the other side. Got to keep this line moving.”

“See you when you’re married,” I said before we moved along, giving the others brief greetings.

Adnan shot me a look that was somewhere between jealousy and congratulations that I did not, in fact, fuck it up with Ophelia this time. He’d never seen her for who she really was, so he’d never deserve her, but I wasn’t above basking in the joy of other people knowing how happy I finally was.

The hall was gorgeous. Hundreds of chairs laid out under the vaulted ceiling, pink and white flowers everywhere, and a soft pink carpet right down the middle of the aisle. The designer had done a great job, matching the wedding to the room in a balanced, flowing way.

I was having a great break, but maybe I was ready to dive back into work soon. Well, so long as Ophelia was still at my side—at home, on the road, wherever… We were living the dream. And life on the road felt different when it was with her.

“We should sit on Kieran’s side,” Ophelia said quietly, pulling me from my admiration of the decor choices.

“But Kim’s your friend…”

“She’ll understand. He’s yours, and you two actually kept in touch over the years. It just makes sense.”

“You’re sure?”

She nodded and pressed a kiss to my lips. I wasn’t sure what the lipstick she was wearing was, but it wasn’t one I’d seen her in before today. Similar colour, different feel when she kissed me. All of it was perfect.

We headed for a pair of open seats, coming to a stop when Tanika jumped out in front of us with a squeal. She held her arms out towards Ophelia. “Oh, my god, you look amazing!”

“You too,” Ophelia said, gesturing to the pink bridesmaid’s dress Tanika was in. “Shouldn’t you be helping the bride get ready, though?”

She laughed and waved Ophelia off, shooting me the quickest look of approval. “She sent me to ensure you made it and are feeling okay after the whole… well, you know.”

I felt the breath Ophelia sucked in, the muscles of her back tensing under my arm, but she put on a wry smile. “We’re good. Tell Kim she’s got bigger things to worry about today and I don’t want her ruining her wedding day stressing about me.”

“She just knows crowds aren’t your favourite, and she’s really glad you came. I am too,” she added, looking a little more emotional than I’d expected. “It’s been really good to reconnect.”

“Yeah, it has.”

Tanika beamed. “So, you’re not going to disappear for twenty years again?”

Ophelia laughed begrudgingly before she looked up at me sincerely. “Yeah, no. I think you might be stuck with me this time.”

“Ah, I’m so glad! Also, you two are so cute together, and, if Eve’s what it took to get you back into our lives, I like her even more.”

“You didn’t like me enough to begin with?” I asked, not really bothered and far more concentrated on pressing a kiss to the top of Ophelia’s head.

“Everyone likes you. Don’t worry about it,” Tanika laughed, stopping only as she produced a folded piece of paper from her clutch bag. “Even people you turned down.”

Ophelia and I shared a look, frowning in unison.

“Should I be worried?” I asked lightly.

Tanika shook her head but still seemed a little apprehensive. “This is from Sammy.”

“Ah.” I reached out and took the note.

In truth, Ophelia and I had given little thought to how things would go with Sammy today. We’d discussed it once, knowing that there would be so many people here we likely wouldn’t run into each other, and moved on. I hadn’t expected her to try reaching out.

Tanika nodded once before switching back to her excited smile as she looked between me and Ophelia. “Argh. You’re just so cute and we’re all so happy for you. I always knew Eve wanted you too!”

Ophelia hung her head. “Thank you for that.”

“You’re welcome,” she called, running back towards wherever she’d come from.

“Bet you never thought you’d be back with this crowd,” I said in Ophelia’s ear as we found our seats.

She shot me a look. “There are a lot of things that have happened lately that I never thought were going to happen. I’m not complaining about any of it.”

“Not even this?” I asked, waving the note.

“Eh. Let’s see what it says first. If Sammy’s sending you love letters, maybe I’ll have a change of heart, but, as it stands, it’s not like I don’t understand why she was so attracted to you.”

“She doesn’t know me like you do.”

“So? I don’t know if you realise this or not, Eve, but you’re spectacularly beautiful. Yes, getting to know you is infinitely better, but I understand why people see you and want you.”

I smiled softly at her. It was amazing how far she’d already come in her relationship to physical compliments.

I didn’t push it and make them towards her much, she wasn’t required to like or want them, and it wasn’t as if I didn’t have an infinite list of other qualities to compliment her on, but her comfort in her physical body, and everything attached to it, made me so happy for her.

She wasn’t even working as hard to ensure her nipple piercings were hidden.

They were hard to detect through most of her clothing, bras keeping them safely hidden, but I’d known it mattered to her and played on her mind.

Now, she was relaxing into herself—unless we were around our parents, hers especially.

She still didn’t want to have that conversation with them, and, honestly, I could understand that.

“So long as you want me,” I told her, “I’m golden.”

“I always want you.”

My insides tingled. I wasn’t sure I’d ever get used to Ophelia being in love with me. But I was okay with that. I wanted to spend the rest of my life marvelling at the fact I got to spend it with her.

I tapped the note against her knee. “Shall we check it’s not a declaration of love?”

She laughed lightly. “Sounds good.”

“‘Eve,’” I read in a whisper so only Ophelia could hear me, “‘I’m deeply sorry for my behaviour towards both you and Fia. I’ve seen what you’ve both gone through on social media lately and I don’t want to be just another one of those loud, mean voices.

I hope you’ll both be happy together and that you get to enjoy the day.

I’ll keep my distance. Sorry again, Sammy. ’”

“Not terrible,” Ophelia said with a shrug.

“Yeah. I don’t think we’ll be staying in touch or becoming friends, but I appreciate that she reached out. Hopefully she’ll find happiness.”

“That’s all you want for literally everyone.”

“Incorrect. Anyone still complaining about me being with you is firmly on my shit list.”

“First a murder list, now, a shit list. Rohanna’s going to be scandalised.” She kept her voice light, but I could see the gratitude in her expression, how touched she was to be truly loved, to have someone in her corner.

It still broke my heart that she’d never had that in a relationship before. She’d always deserved so much more than she’d been given.

“She’ll live,” I replied, knowing the joke was what Ophelia needed.

“Now, why don’t you tell me about the interior design of this place until it’s showtime?”

I wrapped one arm around her, pulling her close. “You don’t have to ask me twice… but, how about I trade you?”

“For?”

I grinned widely. “That middle name I still can’t seem to place.”

She laughed as the fingers of her free hand danced across my knee. “Right. That.”

“Mm, yes. You know, just so I’m clear on what name will be said when your wedding day rolls around.”

“I’m sure that’s all it is,” she laughed. “It’s—and remember that I warned you you’d definitely think it was a fairytale name—Guinevere.”

“Ophelia Guinevere Pendrick,” I sighed. “You really are magic.”

“Hm, no. If either of us was written to be the perfect romantic hero, it’s all you.” She kissed me, slow and easy and besotted. “Now, tell me about this room.”

And, so, I did. Our conversation was interspersed with greeting other guests who stopped by to chat until the energy in the room changed, everyone finding their seats, their places, and a string quartet filled the room with music.

We stood together, Ophelia’s fingers laced with mine, and watched Kim walk the aisle.

It was a beautiful but a long walk given the many guests.

I wasn’t sure I’d have the same patience as Kieran and Kim.

When the time came, I was certain I’d want to bolt down the aisle towards Ophelia.

How Kim was keeping her steady pace, I had no idea.

“Would you marry me in a place like this?” I whispered into Ophelia’s ear once Kim had passed us.

She bit down on a smile. “Of course, but I’d marry you on a rugby pitch, so I’m not sure that’s saying much.”

My stomach, brain, and chest all felt like they had fireworks exploding in them. “How about our old science classroom?”

“Yes, Archer. And the place is still standing, so that is, technically, an option.”

“That parking lot at Gatwick where I tried to guess your dad’s car?”

“Any place, any time, Eve. You and me.”

I kissed the back of her hand as we watched Kim make it to the front of the room, Kieran stepping up to take her hand.

They looked so happy, every bit as happy as I felt with Ophelia.

And I knew the moment we stood together in front of an officiant, ready to say our vows, I’d be even happier—the happiest version of the happiest person in the world. Because Ophelia Pendrick made me that.

The service started and Ophelia’s eyes found mine like we were already vowing those things to each other.

More than two decades of loving her, so many more to come, and the profound feeling that she was just as happy about that as I was. Complete and utter bliss.