Chapter 3

"I did. This is Sophie. Sophie, Miranda. Where is Peter?"

"By the bar, I'll get him!" One of Callum's friends chimed in, oblivious to the tension of the interaction.

Peter, who Sophie had deduced to be the groom made his way swiftly to where they stood and embraced Callum in a bear hug. Complete with the firm back-patting that men seem to do when they hug. She saw the resemblance immediately. Peter had to be Callum's brother. If not for him having brown hair instead of red, and looking a little older around the eyes, they could have been twins.

Sophie stood awkwardly, listening to their exchange and putting the pieces together. Peter was in fact, Callum's older brother and this was his wedding. For some reason, Callum had declined his invitation. Something about not being able to get off work. Peter hugged Callum again, evidently glad that he could make it. Miranda's stare was fixed on Callum the entire time, which struck Sophie as odd. After the pleasantries were over and Sophie had been introduced to Peter, who she instantly liked much like how she felt about Callum, the MC called the couple to the floor for their first dance.

As they began to sway slowly to "Love you til the End" by The Pogues, a little cliche, Sophie thought to herself, Callum leant in and whispered in her ear,

"Come outside with me...."

She followed him outside and realised the sun had gone down. The area around the marquee was illuminated by a few small firepits scattered around and fairy lights strung up between trees and posts. It was stunning.

Callum grabbed her and spun her around before dipping her. She couldn't help but giggle at the move.

He pulled her back up and held her close and they gently swayed to the rhythm of the dulled tones coming from inside the tent.

"So, are you gonna explain any of this?"

Callum gave her a half-smile and continued to sway as he rested his chin on the top of her head.

"Miranda's not good enough for Peter...." he sighed. "And I don't like keeping secrets from my brother, but if he knew, it'd kill him."

"You don't have to tell me..."

"No. I want to. I need to tell someone. And something tells me I can trust you, Sophie."

Sophie turned her head and rested it on his shoulder as they continued their steady rhythm. Gesturing without words for Callum to continue.

"It was a mistake. I was drunk, very drunk. It's no excuse but she was sober. She knew exactly what she was doing and with who. By the next morning, when I sobered up to find her in my bed... Well, it was too late to undo what was done."

Sophie's heart hurt at Callum's admission. Somehow she knew he would never have knowingly done anything to hurt his brother, and the guilt was tearing him up.

"I wasn't going to come. But then I saw you outside the patisserie. Staring down that chocolate cake with such fierce determination. I was mesmerised. I'd never felt so instantly captivated by another person. And then, well, you let me buy you some cake and asked me for an adventure. Call me crazy but, I took it as a sign to come here."

Sophie smiled to herself at his words. The truth was she felt connected to him too.

"So what now?" She asked sweetly, pulling away to look him in the eyes.

"Well, how about we finish this dance, and then I have every intention of kissing you... After that, I suggest we go looking for our next adventure.... what do you say?"