Chapter 23

Mary was surrounded by all of her closest girlfriends, her mother, elder sister; Emma and the person behind the success of her bachelorette party; Juliette. She felt as if she required this support, after all she was about to get married but she didn't feel overwhelmingly happy in fact all she could think about was a name, one that she knew for as long as she could remember. Could she truly have a life outside of Matt? Despite him being her best friend, he was loved and welcomed by her entire family, no one thought of him as anything but family. Was she ready to have a life where he wouldn't be at her side?

Mary scanned the room; she saw what any bride to be would want, everyone enjoying the happy occasion of her wedding, but her eyes searched for Matt. He said he would be here and she was growing impatient.

"I really don't think that your fiancé will be strolling into your bachelorette party, so you shouldn't be searching that desperately." A voice tickled Mary's neck and she turned around with a smile, "I was waiting for you. Where have you been?" Mary stared at Matt who was standing behind her, his arms behind him.

Matt was taken by surprise by her answer, but immediately shook it off. "Why were you waiting for me?" he leaned back in to ask over the music.

"Who else would I wait for if not my best friend?" Mary countered.

They smiled into each other's eyes, everything else falling away as irrelevant. Matt inhaled sharply, "Do you think they would excuse you for a moment, I really want to talk to you about something?" Matt asked.

"I am sure I can sneak out a bit." She giggled. Matt led her upstairs to her room. Mary's fiancé, father, brother-in-law and brother were not here, they were out with Luke for his bachelor party.

He opened the door that led to her room and she walked in, Matt following behind. Once inside he closed the door behind them and sighed.

"Are you alright?" Mary picked up on his mood change. He smiled at her, one of those smiles that shook her body with warmth.

"I have something to..." He trailed of and Mary took a step towards him, but he raised his hands in a defensive gesture, "I really need to say these things to you, or else they will haunt me for the entirety of my life; I am in love you with Mary. I have been for ages." He sighed and laughed. "You know I made countless speeches in my head of what I was going to say to you, but my brain sort of dumped them and I am left defenceless here." He laughed and it seemed almost sad.

Mary's lips parted, she felt as if she should respond, hell she wanted to respond but he stopped her, "You really don't have to say anything I understand that you're getting married and starting a life but I just felt that I had to tell you or else-"

Matt was silenced by Mary's unpredicted hug. Her arms glided around his waist and she buried her face into his shoulder. Matt was unresponsive, maybe Mary thought she was losing their friendship. "Why now?" She spoke into his chest and Matt responded by returning her embrace, "Mary-"he began.

"No!" She tore away from him, "You're lying; you don't love me." Matt saw the angry tears polluting her eyes.

His hands outstretched towards her, his hand resting on her hip pulling her closer, "Why are you telling me this now?" she screamed as she flung her balled fists at him in attempt to escape his touch, once in his arms and safely held against his chest she cried. "Me returning your love doesn't change that it's too late Matt." Her voice cracking, it was the confirmation Matt always wanted; to know she felt the same but her words pained him. It would have been easier to live knowing she didn't love him back, but knowing she returned his sentiments would make it more difficult to live without her knowing that he was to blame. Matt held on to Mary placing a comforting kiss on her head.