Peter looked across the pub, unable to take his eyes of the beautiful, exotic woman who sat in his peripheral view, hair tumbling down her back, chin resting gracefully on the palm of her hand, and yet it was her desolate, empty stare that drew him in – and he knew he was the reason she looked like that.

'She's being a right moody cow today, refusing to join us saying she has better things to do, and then I look at her and she's just sat their draining that stupid wine glass' Leanne ranted about Carla.

'Leave her aye, she looks like she's having a rough day' Peter said as Leanne rolled her eyes. 'Yeah but these past six months she's blown hot and cold too often for my liking..' Leanne said drumming her fingers on the table.

'Well, bet things are more complicated than you think' he muttered, wishing he wasn't the cause of Carla's pain, wishing that he hadn't had to make her choice, that he was living in the 'other life' he'd told they'd be together in.

'Anyway, enough about her, I can't believe our wedding is next week, exciting isn't it' Leanne gushed, her mood instantly lighting up.

'Yeah, it is' Peter said though his heart was aching, he just couldn't share Leanne's excitement, he couldn't see this wonderful future they supposedly had, not now he'd discovered Carla, felt the exhilarating flutter his heart experienced as he looked at her, the electricity coursing through his veins as he touched her, the longing in his body as he kissed her, the protective desire he felt when she opened up. He wished he'd never discovered it, never seen her for who she was because now he was struggling to let go and give his heart entirely to Leanne, Carla's hands were holding onto a piece of heart he never knew existed.

...

'You look gorgeous!' Michelle grinned as Maria pinned the final clip into Leanne's hair.

'You think?' Leanne smiled.

'Totally, Carla don't you agree' Michelle said standing back to look at Leanne.

'Lovely, you look lovely' Carla said, hiding the jealousy she felt, she hurt and the pain.

'Oh thanks girls, you know I couldn't have done this with out you.. now I think we should treat ourselves to some bubbly ' Leanne said holding up her dress so she could teeter over and pour the drink into the waiting glasses.

'Could've gotten stronger stuff' Carla said as Leanne scoffed.

'I don't want to stumble down the aisle!' she laughed.

'Probably a good idea not too!' Maria said as Carla sighed silently to herself.

'Anyway, you sure you're not trying to upstage me?' Leanne asked Carla jovially.

'Funny Leanne' Carla said, for once feeling less than beautiful.

'Well, you are looking particularly nice today' Leanne said, slightly annoyed at how pretty Carla looked, she was wearing a tight indigo dress, clinging to her figure, accentuating her curves, her hair was curled loosely and her make up was subtle, bringing out her green eyes and sharp cheekbones.

'The lads are certainly going to be pleased!' a tiddly Michelle said as Carla decided to get up and 'powder her nose'.

...

'Peter stood at the alter, waiting. Only he didn't know who he was waiting for.

'Couldn't look more nervous if you tried pal' Keiran said patting his back.

Peter chuckled.. 'Something like that' he said, imaging his fiancé walking down the aisle, followed by the ebony goddess behind her. The lump in this throat refused to go away and he wished she wouldn't be there, watching on, defeated.

'I love you baby, I love you so much' he'd whispered as he kissed her neck, the silky gown she'd been wearing falling off her shoulders. He allowed his kisses to slowly make their way down the sweeping curve of her neck to her shoulder blades, appreciating the warmth, the seductiveness of her soft skin.

'I love you too.. I just wish you were mine' she'd replied, her voice sultry but an unmistakable sadness tainting it's authenticity.

'You are..' he'd replied, the lust overbearing, making him oblivious to the pain his ignorance was going to cause.

His thoughts took him away and when he next regained focus, the church was full, the music started and the doors opening, revealing Leanne, arm in arm with Janice, making her way slowly up to towards him.

He looked into her eyes, sparkling, radiant, effortlessly captivating and beautiful, they held his gaze, brimming with love. Only they weren't the eyes he should have been looking at, they belonged to the one person he shouldn't be locking his gaze with, but the trouble was he couldn't help it, she'd completely and utterly drawn him in.