Chapter 1
It was the day of Tess's wedding and it was less than an hour to go until the ceremony. Everyone was downstairs, socialising and enjoying themselves so it was now just a case of it being time.
Tess was in the bridal suite with her mother and sister, who was her bridesmaid, and as they began to fuss she asked in as patient a tone as she could manage;
"Why don't you guys go downstairs and get a drink? I'll be ok, I'd just like a second to myself."
It took a few minutes of further fussing and asking "are you sure?" and "we don't mind staying if you want?"
As the suite door closed behind them Tess began pacing nervously.
She wasn't particularly proud of it, but she had been fantasising for a long time about having a fling before getting married. She been strong and resisted the urge as best she could as the wedding day approached, telling herself it wouldn't be fair, that it would be wrong to act on her urges. Yet now the day had arrived, rather than feeling proud of herself and the strength she'd shown she was feeling what could only be regret.
As she walked across the room, she stopped at the window of the suite, sank into a chair and looked out over the hotel gardens where her guests were talking and waiting. As she stared longingly from the window, she thought to herself;
"So what if it's not normal, so what if people wouldn't approve, I wanted to do it!"
Of course, it was too late now. She lamented her indecision over the past weeks that had stopped her fulfilling fantasy.
Suddenly, Tess was snapped back to the moment as a knock sounded at the door.
Knock knock knock.
"Come in" Tess called, assuming it was her mother and sister only to be surprised when the door opened and Josh, one of the groomsmen stepped in.
As he walked in and closed the door, his grey groomsmen suit fit well to his athletic figure with is blonde hair spiked up as normal, Tess stood up, slightly concerned.
-
As Josh walked into the bridal suite and let the door fall closed, he watched Tess stand up and look at him.
Her wedding dress clung to her figure, supporting and complimenting her large chest with class and elegance. The straps of her dress disappeared over her shoulders and narrowed to accentuate her wide hips before flowing out and down to the floor.
Her sandy blonde hair was tied back into a decorative bun with a veil flowing down her back from it and a sparkling tiara sat across the front of her hairline. All of the white fabric complimented her pale tone perfectly.
"Wow..." Josh said breathlessly "... Tess... you look amazing!"
"Thanks" she replied shortly, a stern look on her face, before continuing "what's wrong?"
"Nothing, everything's fine, Darren just wanted me to check on you and see if you need anything?" Josh explained.
"Oh..." Tess's expression relaxed "... no everything is fine thanks, I'm just waiting now."
As she spoke she walked across the room toward the bed, her heels clicking on the wooden floor, before sinking to sit on the edge of it with her hands clasped in her lap.
Josh walked slowly toward her as he asked;
"You sure everything's ok? You don't want a drink or anything?"
"No I'm fine, thank you Josh" she answered with a smile.
As Josh came to halt near the bed he admired Tess's dress again, it had small diamond like beads sparkling across the body of the dress which glinted in the light falling through the windows, the same style of beads lined the veil flowing from her hair and down her back.
"You really do look lovely Tess. That dress is...just stunning on you" Josh said bashfully.
"Thank you" Tess replied again with another smile.
"Where..." Josh began in a confused tone as he looked around, suddenly realising they were alone "... how come you're on your own up here?"
"Oh, I had my mum and sister up her but they were starting to fuss so I asked them to give me a bit of time to myself."
"Oh, sorry I didn't realise I was disturbing you, I'll leave you to it..." Josh began only to be interrupted.
"No..." Tess interjected quickly "... would you, would you mind staying for a few minutes?"
-
Tess had felt something stirring inside her, she thought maybe... just maybe, it might not be too late.
"Sure" Josh replied as he sank to sit on the side of the bed next to Tess as she offered another smile;
"Thanks" she said reaching her left hand over to Josh and running it down his arm. As he turned to smile back Tess saw his eyes catch her hand before commenting;
"It must feel weird without your engagement ring?"
"Yeah..." Tess agreed as she wiggled her hand "... I only took it off about half an hour ago but it feels odd. How's Darren doing?"
"He's alright, nervous" Josh said shortly.
"Yeah, I get that... I've had a few second thoughts" Tess replied, looking away from Josh, hoping for a reaction.
"Really?!"
Tess held back a smile, having got the reaction she wanted.
"Why? You guys are made for each other?" Josh finished in a tone of concern.
"No, I mean... I didn't mean it like that, definitely not second thoughts about the wedding!" Tess answered.
"Then what?" Josh pressed, shifting on the bed to face her.
"I shouldn't... I can't say, don't worry about it."
"Come on Tess, you're clearly worked up about it, I don't know if I can help but sometimes just saying something out loud can make you feel better" Josh said in an understanding tone.
"Well..." Tess began "...I've been kind of wanting a fling." Tess paused but quickly continued "you know just a one off before getting married, I know it's a stupid cliché and I didn't do anything but I've only ever been with Darren and, well, there's a bit of me that's regretting it."
Tess had a moment of panic, thinking to herself;
"What am I doing?! They're like best friends! Josh is going to tell him and it'll only hurt him!"
"Please don't say anything Josh, I don't want to upse..."
