Shackles of the past

Darla -

I watch as my big brother twirls around the dancefloor with his bride, the picture of love and devotion.

"They are disgustingly sweet, aren't they?" a voice murmured behind me.

My gaze travels back to Alexander, his arms wrapped around her waist, their lips locked in a sweet kiss.

"They make me sick!" I chuckle jokingly.

"Do you want to dance?" he asks, with a smile.

I shake my head at his invitation. "Oh, no thanks. I only dance when I'm drunk." I tease him.

He chuckles in response. "A drink then.." He hands me a champaign flute.

I down it quickly. "I'm going to need a lot more than that." I reply, handing him back the empty glass.

"I'm down for that!" He exclaims before heading back to the bar and returning with a bottle of whisky and two shot glasses.

The two of us head outside, taking a small path to the bottom of the gardens, into a a secluded meadow, surrounded by trees. He lays his jacket on the grass and gestures for me to sit down, before pouring me a shot.

"To all the happy couples out there!" He raises his glass before drinking.

"That sounded a little bitter, my friend." I observe, before gulping down my own shot.

He chuckles before answering. "I am happy for Adriana, she deserves the world. Your brother turned out to be a good guy, and I'm glad, no bitterness there. Unfortunately, love isn't in the cards for some of us." He replies with a little bitterness in his voice, before taking another shot.

"Are you a depressed drunk?" I ask him. "Or just really profound."

Josh stares at me before bursting out laughing. "I like you, Darla. You're not just beautiful, you're observant too. Although, I am far from drunk."

I study him curiously as he refill his glass with another shot. His handsome features make him a dangerous drinking partner: icy blue eyes, dark short hair, perfectly shaven face, a strong muscular body and a smile that could probably melt the ice caps.

"Why would you think that love is not in the cards for you?" I ask with curiosity.

"Lots of reasons, lots of skeletons in the closet, none that can be shared with people. I'm a liar by trade, which makes me hard to trust. My job has always taken priority over everything and everyone, and deceiver could be my middle name. My own family lives without knowing what is true and what is fiction. I'm not good at switching the secrecy button off." He explains, very matter of fact.

My mind takes me back to Adriana's words about her brother's job. He had been in some sort of special forces, most of the time in some sort of under cover work, but he was retired now.

"But you're a lawyer now, right?" I argue.

"I suppose I am." he smiles. "Does that make me more trustworthy?" he asks.

I consider his question before laughing. "Definitely not." I reply.

The music changes to a more upbeat song, and we hear enthusiastic cheers from the other guests.

Josh turns his attention back to me. "Am I the only one that found the song for their first dance a little peculiar?" he comments. "I'm sure there is a story behind it, most couples pick Sinatra or something in those lines, right?"

I laugh at his question. "Oh, there is a story alright... I wouldn't ask if I was you. I can show you a video of the first time they danced that song together. Not PG-13." I wink , teasingly.

He shakes his head. "I better not... some things are better left unknown." He jokes.

We pass the rest of the night chatting and drinking in the meadow, enjoying playful banter and whisky.

The next morning I wake up with a monstrous hangover.

I sit up in bed and groan. "I think I drank Scotland dry last night." I moan, shutting my eyes.

The chuckle behind me makes me jump.

"You certainly gave it a good try!" Josh teases me, looking freshly showered and surprisingly unaffected.

"How are you sober? You drank more than me!" I complain.

I take the tablets and water he offers me. "I got you some breakfast too, just wait twenty minutes before eating, the tablets will settle the hangover then you can eat."

"Why are you in my room?" I try to remember the night before.

He shrugs. "You asked me to stay with you, and I didn't want to say no." he replies nonchalantly.

I rub my temples. "Please tell me I didn't make a fool of myself." I groaned.

Josh laughs, buttoning his shirt. "I had to carry you to bed, you passed out the second your head touched the pillow. Nothing happened, but I couldn't leave you alone, just in case... plus, I got the chance to share a bed with the second most beautiful woman in the room, got to give my sister the first place, she was the bride after all." He winks at me.

I laugh lightly, grateful for this new friendship. I wait five minutes before leaving my bed and heading for the bathroom. "What did you give me? I feel better already.. Give me a little time to shower and dress and we can go downstairs for breakfast."

Josh and I make our way downstairs, arm in arm, giggling as we walk to the restaurant to join the group of heavily hangover family and friends.

The happy couple has opted for breakfast in bed, and I can just imagine Alexander having to help Addi with her own monstrous hangover. The girl just cannot hold her alcohol, and I'm sure she will be thanking me for the rescue bag I hid in her luggage.

Our families have gelled really well, and we all stay at the hotel for a week after the happy couple goes off on their honeymoon.

Josh and I seem to be kindred spirits, and end up spending most of the time glued to each other.

Despite his good looks and charms, neither of us seem to be attracted to the other in a romantic kind of way.

Nevertheless, as soon as we get back to the office, I start hatching a new matchmaker plan. The guy needs a woman's touch, someone out of the ordinary, and I have the perfect one in mind.

Darla is at it again... keep reading to find out the identity of her new heroine and what faith has to offer for them...