Don't Say You Love Me (Boundless Love Book 1) (2 page)

Sahara
seemed simple, but complicated at the same time. She was pretty but not overly beautiful. It was the natural simple look of her that made him want to know about her. Her smile filled him with warmth, he watched her as she spoke softly to the children. But his attention, along with everyone else’s attention was taken away when Emily began to walk down the aisle.

She arrived at the alta
r with a wide grin, Myles was equally happy. The smile in both their eyes brought tears to Sahara’s eyes. Deep down, no matter how much she denied it, she wanted to feel that love. But her life style didn’t allow it, and she hadn’t allowed love in.

Myles
held out his hands and Emily took them. The priest began and there was hushed silence everywhere. The priest took a moment to talk about the gift of love, and its importance. He read a few scriptures that made almost everyone in the church think. It was magical, the presence of love was felt everywhere. The two gazed into each others eyes as the said their vows.

‘Do you
Myles O’Brian take Emily Lewis to be your lawful wedded wife, constant friend, faithful partner and love of your life from this day forward?’

‘I do.’

Emily sniffed, and Sahara quickly handed her a pretty white handkerchief that was patterned with purple flowers.

‘Do you Emily Lewis, take
Myles O’Brian to be your lawful wedded husband, constant friend, faithful partner and love of your life from this day forward?’

‘I do.’ Emily was overtaken by emotion.

Only slight sniffles could be heard throughout the church as the couple continued to speak their love for one another.

‘I now pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss your bride,’ announced the priest.

There was a loud cheer, clapping and celebration as Myles stepped forward and kissed his bride. Sahara warmed with emotion, and Eugene couldn’t take his eyes off her. He had to get to know her.

Emily turned to her best friend and smiled, with happy tears drizzling down her cheeks.
Sahara was equally excited about the whole event. She wanted the best for her friend, even though she knew she wouldn’t get a chance at it herself.

The wedding party started to make their way out, and the crowd followed behind. They shot off to wedding photos while the rest of the crowd, hung around and chatted
, and finally set off for the reception.

‘Did you drive?’ Lisa asked
Eugene who had been caught off guard. He just couldn’t get Sahara out of his mind.

‘Urm…Yes, my car is just parked over there.’ He pointed at the black
Porsche in the car park.

‘Well then, that’s my ride sorted.’

‘Urm…well…’ He wasn’t so sure he wanted to continue the day with Lisa. She’d been a great prospect at first, but the moment he’d set eyes on Sahara, there was no going back.

‘After all, we need to get to know each other better.’ She
webbed her arm through his.

‘Hmmm…’ H
e wasn’t sure what to say. His mind clogged with Sahara.

‘Well, shall we make our way to the reception?’

He nodded, there wasn’t much he could do, not in that moment. They moved away from the crowd towards the jazzy vehicle. Lisa ran her hands over the black metal impressed, she’d really scored herself a rich one. She smiled, biting back her lip as he pressed the door to unlock.

‘Nice car.’ She slid inside after he’d opened the door.

‘Thank you,’ he said.

His Porsche had always been used to pick up the ladies. He knew just how thrilled they would be to have a man of means on their arm. It didn’t matter how feminist the woman tried to be, there was always that side to her that wanted the man to pick up the tab, be the one to sweep her off her feet.
Eugene had certainly been king of that game for a very long time. But that day, he no longer wanted to impress Lisa, he wanted the maid of honour to notice him as much as he’d noticed her.

He started the car in silence. Lisa explored the
black leather dashboard and shrilled. The leather interior was immaculate, with black seats with the red Porsche sign in the middle. She shrugged her shoulders a little too excited, and it worried him.

‘Shall we take a little
detour?’ She winked playfully. ‘Before we go to the reception? It’s only starting in an hour or so.’

He gazed over at the beautiful woman as he started the engine. He had to admit she was gorgeous, but there was one thing stopping him. That woman in the church, he just couldn’t shake her away. She wasn’t like any other woman he’d met before.

‘I’d rather we go
to the reception, I’m sure they’re serving pre-drinks, and it will give us time to mingle.’

‘Oh.’ she pouted. ‘I thought…’

‘Let’s just go to the reception, I think it would be the best for both of us.’

She nodded a little disappointed. What had just happened? He’
d seemed so into her, but now she was just another woman to him.

They drove in silence,
Eugene decided to play some music, to drain out the uncomfortable silence. There had been moments when Lisa had opened her mouth to try and make small talk, but quickly thought better of it. She’d lost him and she knew it, there was no point trying to force herself on him. But that didn’t stop her from hoping and perhaps trying later.

They arrived at the hotel
where the reception would take place. Champagne was handed out at the entrance and everyone had been designated a seating area.

‘You’re welcome to sit with me before everyone arrives,’ he offered.

She smiled mildly and took a sip of her drink.

‘I’m sorry I’ve been a little absent minded, it’s just business.’ He lied.  He didn’t want her to feel bad about his sudden change of attraction to her.

‘That’s okay. I’ll sit with you until the other guests arrive.’ She perked up.

Just as they were about to head for his table on the far end of the room, a man called him. He turned and
he was face to face with Myles uncle.

‘
Eugene, you made it!’ said the man. ‘I saw you at the church, but I wasn’t certain. How are you doing young man?’

‘I’m fine, yes, very well
thank you.’ He took the mans hand.

Lisa continued to the table a tad annoyed. It seemed that things weren’t meant to be with the two of them. She drank the champagne and watched the two men
talk. It wasn’t like she didn’t want to talk too, she practically knew everyone, and wasn’t in the mood to make small talk. She was on the verge of thirty, single and so close to bagging an eligible bachelor, but it seemed all was against her.

The men laughed and tal
ked a while, and soon Myles’s aunty joined them. Lisa couldn’t help but roll her eyes, and call for another drink. Finally, a few minutes later, Eugene was finally able to pull himself away from them.

‘I thought you’d never leave,’ she said.

He laughed lightly. ‘It’s been a while since I’ve seen them. They’re very nice people.’

‘Hm
mm,’ she offered uninterested.

‘So, tell me
. What do you do besides attending weddings?’

Lisa perked up, he was suddenly interested in her again.

‘I’m a financial advisor.’

He raised his eyebrows.

‘What? Did you think I was just a pretty face?’ She raised her eyebrows.

‘Well…’

‘Go on, say it. Most men think the same. Sorry to disappoint you. I’m good with numbers, run my own company and have lots of money too.’ This time she laughed.

‘So…’ H
e was confused. The way she’d commented on his car as if it was all new to her.

‘Oh you mean the comment about the car. I figured men like you want women without a clue
, and with not much money.’

He sat back a little surprised.

‘I know, I’m just sick and tired of pretending. I shrink to fit in, and when I don’t, men walk away from me.’

‘That’s not entirely true. I mean think about it. You’re not very warm at the moment.’ He wasn’t sure where this was going or whether he wanted it to continue.

‘Warm?’ She threw her head back and laughed.

‘I guess that didn’t come out right.’

‘Look, I get it. You want someone warm and cuddly. Someone who isn’t a high flyer, who doesn’t say what she wants, and is a potential wife.’

‘That’s not what I’m saying.’

‘You didn’t have to. I work with men like you. Sometimes I feel like a painting in a gallery. Beautiful and amazing to be admired, but never good enough to be taken home.’

His mouth opened wide, but no words came out.

‘Don’t worry, I’m okay with it. Now, how about another drink, and perhaps later we could find a room in this hotel and bonk the devils out of each other.’ she laughed.

This time he laughed and accepted the drink. She had certainly flipped the switch on him, but he couldn’t really blame her, after all, he’d done it first.

Chapter Two

The bridal party arrived an hour and a half later. By then, Eugene had spoken to a lot of people, to Lisa’s disappointment. He tried his best to be good company, but it seemed he drew a lot of attention. But the moment Sahara walked into the room, his eyes were on her. How could they not be? She was the most delicate, beautiful and interesting woman in that place.

He watched her as she helped Emily with her dress as they got to the front of the room. The high table that was created for
them looked down at everyone else. He kept his gaze, he smiled slightly, unaware that he was doing so. She helped the little people into their seats, and it seemed the children loved her too.

There were a few announcements, and soon food and drink were being served while each member of the family made a little speech.
Myles parents went first. It was short and sweet, something he was grateful for. Emily’s parents weren’t as short, especially Francesca, Emily’s mother. She had started from the beginning of her life, telling the most embarrassing stories. At times Emily would hide behind her hands, to hide her flushed face.

Sahara was in hysterics and this caught
Eugene’s attention. He loved the way she laughed so heartily, how she teased Emily. There was a great connection between them, Eugene wanted to know more.

Finally Emily’s parents came to the end of their storytelling, to Emily’s relief.
Myles’s best-man said a few things, things that were bearable and soon it was Sahara’s turn to say something.

Eugene
watched her intensely as she made her way to the microphone. She smiled gently filling the room with her presence. Her short hair suited her, even though she wanted her long hair back. That wasn’t about to happen any time soon. She held onto the left side of her chest a moment, and her heart sunk, only for a while. Quickly she perked herself up again, turned to Emily and gave her the widest smile. Emily made a heart shape with her hands and nodded for her to speak.

‘Thank you everyone for coming to spend this special day with Emily and
Myles.’ She began.

Eugene
bit back his lip, his ice blue eyes squinted as he took in her beauty.

‘For those who don’t know me, I’m Emily’s best friend, and of course today I’m her maid of honour.’ She giggled. ‘I had a speech
all planned out, but tore it up this morning.’  She laughed.

Light laughter travelled around
the room.

‘I guess I wanted to speak from the heart. It felt better.’ She looked at her friend again. ‘I’
ve known Emily since we were eleven. She’s been my rock and my everything. She’s been with me through thick and thin, and I often wonder why she isn’t marrying me.’ she laughed.

They audience laughed on cue.

‘I mean she’s been with me through thick and thin and I love her very much.’ She fanned away the threatening tears. ‘When she introduced me to Myles, three years ago, I knew he was the one.’ She blew him a kiss, he smiled shyly. ‘She’d been through so many boyfriends, I’d begun to wonder if she would ever find the one. But then Myles came along and everything changed. He was the one guy who didn’t want to change her. He never kept her waiting for a phone call, she was never wondering whether he loved her or not. We didn’t have to hang out and figure out what his emails or texts meant. There was none of that with Myles. Myles was straight forward, no head games, no silent treatment and definitely no texts. He called. He called when he said he would, and I’ve never seen my best friend happier.’ Again she looked at them. ‘Guys, I’m so happy for you, I’m so happy that you both found true love, and I know you guys will be together for a lifetime.’

Emily aaahed and touched her chest.
The crowd applauded while Sahara walked back to their table and gave her friend a hug.

‘I’m just going to go out and get some air, okay,’ said
Sahara.

‘What number?’

‘Don’t worry about it.’

‘I can’t not worry.’