She prayed, and spent the rest of the day in a state of emotional whiplash. Every time she heard shoes echo down the hall, her heart did a little leap of hope.
Is that him?
Nope.
It was Chad from accounting. Who chews gum like he was waiting for reward.
By lunchtime, she'd fully developed CEO Syndrome. Her eyes twitched at every tall silhouette. Her spine straightened whenever someone in a tailored suit walked by.
Liam Carter, of course, was nowhere to be seen.
She refreshed her inbox. Nothing.
To make matters worse, her group chat was ablaze.
Jules: "So excited for this weekend! I already told everyone you're bringing someone exceptional."
Tina: "Yes! We better not see you alone again, Sophie."
Jules: "They're already planning to fight over the singles table."
Tina: "Tell us who he is. We need to stalk."
She stared at the screen, face contorted in a mix of horror and heartburn. By the end of the day, Liam had still not replied. Not a word.
Was he ignoring her? Laughing somewhere?
The next day, still nothing.
Friday? Radio silence. She may have to communicate with him via smoke signals and dance.
And the wedding was tomorrow. At this point, all she could do was pray again.
She arrived late to the bridal prep house that morning. Her plans was simple: sneak in, do the emotional-support-daughter thing, smile, then vanish before the reception when the real interrogation would begin.
The plan began unraveling the moment she stepped through the door.
"Sophie!" her cousin squealed, knocking over a sea of white satin and pre-wedding photos. "You made it! And you look stunning!"
"Thanks," she muttered, already scanning for exits.
Then came her mother.
"Sophie Adeline Blake," her mother gasped, bustling through the chaos like a proud queen. "You're glowing. You must be in love."
There you go.
She resisted the urge to swan-dive into a pile of veils. "Oh, it's nothing."
"Nonsense! Jules told me you're bringing someone. I can't wait to meet him!"
Ella looped her arm through Sophie's. "So, when do we meet him? You have to stay through the reception! I already told everyone about him."
Her friends were lounging in silk robes, sipping champagne and looking like judgmental bridesmaids. Jules raised her glass.
"To Sophie's man! May he be real and incredibly hot!"
She stood stiffly in the reception garden and hid behind an elderly couple. Her dress was red, off-the-shoulder, with a dramatic slit. But all she wanted to do was blend into the nearest wall. Her hair was swept up in soft curls, lips glossy, her eyes shimmering with the left-over anxiety of a woman on the brink of social death.
She had posed in the wedding photos, smiled next to the happy couple, and endured her mother's whispering, "You should go talk to the DJ. He's handsome and available."
The crowd was shifting toward the reception area, where music floated and waiters served. She joined a circle of women near the garden, trying to avoid Jules but it was too late.
"So," Jules whispered. "Where is he?"
"Who?"
"Your man!" Tina chimed in. "Didn't Jules say you were bringing someone? Tall, dark, and mysteriously available?"
"Oh, he's around." She waved a vague hand, hoping to summon a distraction. But fate had a darker sense of humor.
Treyton walked over, holding a wine glass and smiling.
"Ladies." he said, nodding, then turning to Sophie. "Hey! You made it. Still no sign of your man?"
"Sweetheart," Ella warned, slapping his arms playfully. "Don't be rude."
"I'm just saying," he continued, ignoring her. "We were all promised a boyfriend. Unless he's invisible."
The group chuckled.
Sophie's soul left her body.
And then.
Like some perfectly timed entrance, the air shifted.
A sleek, black limo pulled just beyond the reception circle. Heads turned. Conversation stalled. The driver stepped out and opened the door slowly.
Liam Carter stepped out in a navy suit, crisp white shirt open to see the hair on his toned chest. His hair was neatly styled, his presence magnetic, and when he walked, It was like the universe had decided to shut Treyton up with style.
Her mouth fell slightly open.
His gaze locked on her like she was the only woman there. His expression softened and a hint of amusement danced behind his eyes.
The group parted like the Red Sea as he approached.
"Sophie." he said, his voice low and rich.
Before she could respond, he lean in and kissed her. Her eyes widened at how warm his touch was. When he finally pulled back, he smiled slightly.
"Sorry I'm late. I had to make sure I looked good enough to be seen with you."
Somewhere in the background, a glass shattered. Liam walked towards Treyton and smiled. "Congratulations gentle-man. But, I think my woman deserves an apology."
"I'm sorry." Treyton said with a smile.
"Congratulations again." Liam replied.
The aftermath of the wedding kiss spread like wildfire through the veins of the city. She woke up the next morning to a phone that buzzed like it was preparing for liftoff.
Group Chat: "He's gorgeous!"
Jules: "How do you function daily without him? I would've accidentally licked his face."
Tina: "So...is his cousin or brother single?"
Unknown number: "Hi Sophie, remember me from the coffee shop? Thought I'd reconnect."
Her inbox exploded with old friends, frenemies, and neighbors. The walk to work had never felt this empowering and no side eyes from neighbors.
Her mother no longer sent her "Hope you find a man soon" messages. Instead, she texted "You looked so beautiful at the wedding. Liam is a fine gentleman."
Was this what freedom feels like?
She strutted into the office with her head high, smiling to Amber, her heels clapping like applause. She approached Liam's office, hoping to thank him again.
She knocked politely. No answer, only voices. Thinking she was asked to come in, she peeked in.
There, sitting closely beside Liam was a stunning woman with blonde hair, and too-tight red blouse, with confidence of someone who had never once cried in a pillow over societal expectations.
"Miss Blake," Liam smiled politely. "I will see you later. I'm very busy right now."
"I just wanted to thank you for showing up at the wedding."
Liam nodded. "Of course."
Silence.
"You need to look into your circle of friends." He said sternly.
As she walked back to her office, she silently vowed not to see him again.
In the following days, she did her best to avoid Liam like a plague. She changed her schedule subtly. Took the longer route to the coffee machine. Became suddenly fascinated with meetings in conference rooms far from his office.
He'd been kind to agree to her ridiculous request, playing the part like a pro. She couldn't blame him if he forgot she existed the minute the wedding was done.
She was at peace.
Until her phone rang the next morning.
"Hi, mum,"
"Oh Sophie, your father is back from China!"
"He is? Already?"
"Yes, dear. And were doing a family reunion this weekend. Just a small thing."
"Oh," she said, her stomach clenched.
"And of course, Liam is invited! Everyone's so eager to meet him. Especially your father. He's been asking who this mystery man is!"
Sophie felt the walls close in. She hung up, dropped her phone on the bed and let out a dramatic groan into her pillow.