Don't Say You Love Me (Boundless Love Book 1) (3 page)

‘I’m okay. Just a bit tired.’

‘Please, what number
are you?’ Emily bit her lip, pushing down the urge to ask a different question, a question she’d been forbidden to ask a long time ago.

‘Six. But I’ll be fine, I promise.’

‘If you go below five, call me.’

‘I promise.’ She squeezed her hand,
and then made her way out through the French doors out onto the balcony.

That was his cue.
Eugene stood up about to make his way to the bride and grooms table.

‘Where do you think you’re
going?’ Lisa caught him by surprise.

She’d left her table of boring relatives in search of some fun.

‘Going to have a quick chat with my friend, if you don’t mind.’ He left her before she could draw him into conversation.

He walked over to the table as quickly as he could, and headed for Myles. He smiled and congratulated Emily, then asked to see Myles in private. Myles looked at Emily as if to ask for permission. She nodded, not willingly, but could tell Eugene had something on his mind.

Myles
pushed back his seat and they moved out of the room and into the hall that seemed a lot less busy.

‘What is it?’ asked
Myles.

‘I need to ask you something.’

Myles had known Eugene a long time to know that his questions usually involved a woman.

‘First of all, I probably won’t be able to help you. This is my wedding day, I’m not setting you up with anyone.’

Eugene laughed. ‘It’s not like I need help with that. Do I?’

‘Probably not, but am
I wrong in thinking that this involves a woman.’

‘Not entirely.’

‘I thought so.’

‘I just wanted a little information on that pretty
maid of honour.’

‘Oh no you don’t!’
Myles was serious. ‘This one is not just any woman, she’s not another notch in your bed post.’

‘Bl
imey! It almost sounds like you like her yourself.’

‘It’s not what you think. She’s very important to the woman I love, and I won’t let you near her.’

‘Won’t let me?’ He laughed.

‘Yes, I won’t let you!’

‘I don’t need your permission.’

‘Well then, you don’t need my help.’ He was about to walk away.

‘Okay wait, just hear me out.’

‘She’s not just any woman. You can’t just walk into her life and walk out like you do.’

‘I’m not going to do that.’

‘I mean it
Eugene. I’m your friend, but Emily means more to me.’

‘Wow! You have changed!’

‘I have, I’m a man now. A responsible one.’

‘And I’m not?
’

‘I…listen, let’s just get back
to the reception.’

‘Not until you tell me her name.’

‘Ask her yourself!’ Myles was a little put off. It had always been this way with Eugene, and he never expected him to change.

‘Maybe I will…oh and thanks for nothing.’ He started to walk off.

‘Hey man. Just leave this one alone. Please.’ He begged.

Eugene
turned towards his friend with his hands in his suit pockets, and pursed his lips.

‘Just leave her alone.’

‘I think I’ll let her make that decision,’ he said and walked away.

Myles
shook his head, watched as his friend walked away and head for the balcony.

‘Some things never change,’ said
Myles under his breath.

****

Sahara was looking out into the beautiful hotel garden when Eugene stepped out.

‘Hi,’ he said.

‘Oh, you scared me.’ She held onto her chest as she turned to see who had spoken.

The man was strikingly handsome! The first thing she noticed
was his eyes. She smiled faintly then whirled back to the beautiful scene ahead.

‘It’s beautiful, isn’t it?’ He took a step closer to the edge of the balcony where she stood.

‘Yes it is,’ she replied.

‘Warm today isn’t it? I mean it’s qui
te lucky Myles and Emily got this weather.’

‘Yes
, very lucky.’ Sahara wasn’t really in the mood for small talk, she just wanted some fresh air, away from the crowd.

‘I’m
Eugene by the way.’ He held out his hand and waited.

‘
Sahara.’ She turned and met his hand with hers.

‘Nice to meet you
Sahara, nice name.’

‘
Thanks, it’s nice to meet you too.’ She turned back to the garden and tried to focus.

‘How do you know Emily and
Myles?’

‘Emily and I have been friends for a long time.’

‘Strange how we’ve never crossed paths.’

‘Not really.’
Sahara understood why. ‘I don’t meet many people really. I guess this will be one of the biggest crowds I’ve been in. One of the reasons I need some air.’ She took in a deep breath.

Just then Felicity stepped out to check on
Sahara.

‘Hey, Emily asked me
to check and see if you’re – ’

‘Tell her I’m a seven now, there’s no need to worry.’ She waved her off. ‘I’ll be back in, in a second.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Yes, of course I’m sure.’ She shooed her away.

Felicity took one look at the handsome stranger, and then left them.

‘What was that all about?’ He couldn’t help himself.

‘You’re a bit nosey Mister- ’

‘Gallagher, but please call me Eugene…I insist.’

She looked at the overly confident man and nodded.

‘I am a bit nosey, but for good reason.’

‘Is that so?’

‘Yes.’

‘What reason is that?’

‘Well, this might sound corny, but from the moment you stepped into the church, I just couldn’t stop looking at you.’

She giggled.

‘It’s true.’

‘Do you say that to all the women you chat up?’

‘No I don’t. I’m being honest. There was something about you that drew me to you.’

She watched him curiously.

‘It’s true, but for now, why don’t you tell me what you meant when you said you’re a seven.’

‘Oh that, that’s just something between us girls.’

‘Care to share?
’

‘No
pe!’

‘Okay.’

Sahara was proving to be different. She wasn’t all opened and willing to give him everything, like most women did when he walked into their lives.

‘May I ask why not?’

‘Because it’s none of your business.’

‘Okay.’ He liked her already.

‘If you will excuse me, I’ll have to get back in before they call a search party.’

‘Could I at least get your number?’ he asked.

She stopped a moment and thought about it. It would be nice, the man was amazingly hot, how could any woman say no to him. But she knew she wasn’t ready to let a man in.

‘Nope.’ She turned.

‘Really?’ He followed.

‘Yes
, really.’

‘At least tell me why,
and then I won’t feel so rejected.’

She stopped and turned a moment. ‘Don’t take this the wrong way, but I don’t give out my number to strangers.’

‘I’m hardly a stranger. I’ve been friends with Myles for years.’

‘But you are a stranger to me.’

Music began to play inside and Emily and Myles stood up for their first dance of the day.’

‘Okay, could I at least try and not be. Could you give me some time to get to know you?’

She stopped at the entrance and watched her best friend with the man she loved. It was all over Emily, from the way she looked at him to the way they held each other. Sahara could see the love. Love she knew that she might never experience, but loved to experience it through other people. The floor was soon opened to everyone else.

‘Can we dance?’ he asked.

A little page boy rushed over to Sahara and tugged on her dress.

‘Can I have this dance?’ asked the little boy.

‘Well, yes of course.’ She giggled and looked over her shoulder at Eugene. ‘I guess you’ll have to wait your turn.’

‘Oh, I’ll wait. I
’ll wait for as long as it takes.’

He watched as she gave her attention to the little boy. He wanted to know everything about her. He wanted to be next to her, and he didn’t even know why.

Sahara danced with the little boy as best she could. He seemed happy enough.

‘Would you like to
dance?’ Lisa caught him off guard.

‘Urm…I’m okay, I’m just waiting in line to have a dance with
Sahara.’

Lisa looked over at
Sahara and nodded.

‘I see, good luck with that.’

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

‘She’s not into men. Sometimes I think she’s a lesbian. The way she clings to Emily amazes me.’

‘Nah, that can’t be it.’

‘Well I don’t spend enough time around them to know what’s going on. All I know is that she’s never really dated.’

‘So you don’t spend enough time around them and yet you know she’s never dated. A bit contradictory, don’t you think.’

Lisa knew why
Sahara didn’t date, but she wasn’t going to share it with him. Telling him would only make him want her more, or not, but Lisa wasn’t going to risk it. She’d had him first.

‘Maybe, but whatever the reason, you don’t stand a chance. Now, would you like to dance?’

‘You want to bet?’ He started in the direction of the dance floor and stopped beside Sahara and the little boy. ‘Excuse me young man. Do you mind if I have a dance with this beautiful young lady?’ he asked.

‘It depends,’ said the little boy cleverly.

‘On what?’

‘If she wants to.’ The little boy looked up at her. He’d been instructed to be a decoy each time some man tried to either ask her to dance or do anything else. So far he’d done a great job.

‘It’s okay Russell, you’ve done a great job.’ She winked.

Russell nodded and stepped back.

‘Would you like me to comeback a little later?’

‘Yes that would be great.’

He left them.

‘Hmm, he has a thing for you,’ said
Eugene.

‘Ha, it’s just an internal thing.’

‘Another one, wow, you are a mysterious woman.’

‘I try to be. I have my reasons.’

‘Care to share them.’ He tried again.

‘No. Like I said,
you’re still a stranger to me.’

He took her hand and they began to dance. Emily had caught sight of them and she looked at
Myles.

‘
Myles, what’s he doing. Don’t let him – ’

‘Honey I tried. He wouldn’t listen.’

‘Try harder!’

‘
Sahara’s a big girl, she can take care of herself.’

There was a look of horror on her face.

‘I’m sorry honey, but I think she’s quite capable of getting rid of him. Look at her though, she looks…happy.’

Emily gazed at her friend who was smiling from ear to ear.

‘That maybe so now, but we both know he’s a player.’

‘What would she tell you right now?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘If you said the exact words you said to me, to her, how would she respond?’

Emily’s shoulders suddenly relaxed. ‘She’d tell me to live in the moment.’

‘Exactly, and that’s exactly what she’s doing. She’s not thinking about tomorrow, or wondering if he’s going to be there long term. She’s just enjoying a dance. Let her.’

‘Oh alright.’ She leaned into him. ‘Do you know that I love you?’

‘Of course I do, that’s why I’m your husband.’ He chuckled.

She looked up at him and gave him a kiss.

Sahara
enjoyed the dance, and the next one and the next one, but on the third dance she wanted to sit down.

‘I’m feeling a bit tired. I need to sit down.’

‘Can I sit with you?’ he asked.

‘I would really like some me time.’

‘That’s going to be hard in a place full of people.’

‘I know, but I don’t think I can keep answering your questions.’

‘Okay, how about I shut up? Will you let me sit with you then?’

She laughed, she was beginning to warm up to him.

‘Yes, but you mustn’t say a word.’