James had gone fishing with his mates, but that evening I saw him live at my best friends wedding.
«No, no, absolutely not!» Emily threw her hands up in frustration. «I cant go to this wedding, Sophie! You know James has had this fishing trip with Dave planned for ages. Theyve been preparing for weeks, I cant just cancel last minute.»
«But its Charlottes wedding!» Sophie set her teacdown with a clink. «Your uni best friend! Shell never forgive you if you dont show up. What fishing trip could possibly be more important?»
«Its sacred to James,» Emily sighed. «He hardly ever does anything without me. Hes been talking about it all springnew gear, the tent. I cant let him down.»
«So Charlotte gets let down instead?» Sophie shook her head. «She specifically picked the date so you could come up from Brighton. Your seats are booked, and youre both on the guest list.»
Emily tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. This dilemma had been gnawing at her for days. On one hand, Charlottes weddingher closest friend since uni. On the other, Jamess long-awaited lads fishing trip. And of course, they fell on the same weekend.
«Maybe Ill just go alone?» she offered weakly. «Explain the situation. Charlotte will understand.»
«Oh, sure she will,» Sophie scoffed. «And then hold a grudge for life. Remember how she sulked when you missed her birthday three years ago?»
«That was different,» Emily protested. «I just forgot. This is a proper reason.»
«Yeah, fishing,» Sophie drawled. «Fine, your call. But dont say I didnt warn you.»
The conversation left a bad taste in Emilys mouth. Driving home, she turned it over in her mind. Maybe she should talk to James again? Explain how much the wedding meant to her? But hed been so excited about the trip, counting down the daysit felt selfish to ask him to cancel.
James met her in the hallway, helping her out of her coat. He smelled fresh, like laundry and something delicious from the kitchen.
«Dinners ready,» he said with a smile. «Your favouriteprawn linguine. How was your day?»
«Fine,» Emily pecked him on the cheek. «Met up with Sophie. She says hi.»
Dinner inevitably turned to the weekend.
«Youre really okay with me going fishing?» James studied her face. «If the weddings that important, I can stay.»
«No, no,» Emily said quickly. «Go, of course. You and the lads have planned this forever. I get it.»
«Sure?» He still looked uneasy. «Dave says the signals patchy where were going, so calls might not work. But Ill text when I can.»
«Its fine,» she assured him. «Enjoy yourself, catch loads. Ill probably still go to Charlottescant let her down. Just me, though. Ill explain youre fishing.»
James nodded, but something like relief flickered in his eyes. Emily chalked it up to happinesshe wouldnt have to miss his trip.
Friday morning was chaos. James packed rods, checked the tent and sleeping bag, calling Dave every five minutes to confirm details.
«Dont forget the bait, Captain Ahab,» Emily teased as he hunted for a torch. «And may the fish be biting.»
«Cheers, love.» He pulled her into a hug. «Take care, dont miss me too much. And pass on my congrats to Charlotte.»
«Will do.» She buried her face in his neck, breathing in his familiar scent. «Though it wont be half as fun without you.»
«Youll have a blast,» he kissed the top of her head. «Right, Im off. Daves waiting downstairs.»
«Bring back a whopper?» she asked, walking him to the door.
«Obviously!» He winked. «Feast of the century!»
When the door shut, the flat felt too quiet. Three days without James. They rarely spent time aparteven holidays were always together. But it was fine, the weekend would fly by. Especially with the wedding tomorrow to keep her busy.
That evening, she called Charlotte, explaining Jamess situation. Thankfully, her friend took it well.
«Just glad youre coming,» Charlotte said. «Wouldnt be the same without you. And James is practically a stranger anywaywell survive.»
«See you tomorrow, then,» Emily smiled. «And congrats again. Youll be the most gorgeous bride!»
Saturday was a blur of preparationhair, makeup, picking out a gift. Emily chose a navy blue dress that suited her perfectly, styled her hair, took her time with her makeup. One last glance in the mirrorfresh, polished.
A text from James lit up her phone: «Made it, setting up camp. Signals rubbish. Love you, have a great day!»
She smiled, typing back: «Good luck! Love you too.»
The wedding was in a stunning Mayfair venue. Emily arrived slightly lateLondon traffic, as always, was dreadful. The ceremony had just finished when she slipped into the hall, guests finding their seats.
«Em!» Charlotte, radiant in white, rushed over. «You made it! I was starting to think youd bailed too!»
«Like Id miss this?» Emily hugged her tightly. «You look unreal! Olivers one lucky man.»
«Thanks, love,» Charlotte beamed. «Shame James couldnt make it. But blokes and their fishingsacred tradition, right?»
«He sends his love and apologies,» Emily said. «Promises to make it up to you.»
Charlotte guided her to their table, where old uni friends were already seatedSophie and her husband, Lucy with her partner, Tom with his new girlfriend. Catching up helped ease Jamess absence. Toasts began, laughter flowingthe room buzzed with joy.
«Wheres your better half?» Tom leaned in. «Not skipping this, surely?»
«Fishing trip with the lads,» Emily said. «Planned for ages, couldnt back out.»
«Fishing in April?» Tom frowned. «Bit early, isnt it?»
«Is it?» Emily shrugged. «James says springs the best time. Not that Id know.»
«Anglers privilege, I suppose,» Tom smirked, but his expression was odd.
The evening rolled on. After dinner, the dance floor openedcontests, live music. Emily, loosened by champagne and good company, noticed a group huddled around a phone screen.
«Katies doing an Instagram Live!» Sophie squealed. «Come say hi, Emwave at those who couldnt come!»
Emily joined the circle as Katie panned the camera.
«And heres Emily, bride-to-bride connection!» Katie announced. «Say hello, everyone!»
«Hi all,» Emily waved awkwardly. «Weddings amazingshame some couldnt be here.»
«Lets show the vibe!» Katie swung the phone aroundguests dancing, cake-cutting. «Wait, whos that? Is that James?»
Emily followed Katies gaze. Near the bar, a man dancedhis build, his movements, the pale blue shirt he wore for special occasions.
«Thats not James,» Emily laughed nervously. «Hes fishing. Miles from here.»
«Pretty sure thats him!» Katie zoomed in. «Look!»
The phone screen showed Jamess faceclear as day. Laughing, talking to a woman Emily didnt know, their ease suggesting familiarity.
Her stomach dropped. The room tilted. This couldnt be real. James was supposed to be knee-deep in river water, not here, not with her.
«James!» Her voice cracked.
He turned, their eyes locking across the room. His face paledpanic. He muttered something to the woman, bolting for the exit.
Emily followed in a daze, ignoring confused glances. The corridor outside was quiet.
«Em, wait,» James caught her arm. «I can explain.»
«Explain what?» Her voice shook. «The fishing lie? You being here, at Charlottes weddingwhere you couldnt come? And who was that?»
«Its not what you think,» he ran a hand through his hair. «Can we talk somewhere private?»
«Talk here.» She crossed her arms. «Now.»
James glanced around. «Fine. There was no fishing trip. I lied, but not for the reason youre imagining.»
«Then why?»
«I was planning a surprise,» he admitted. «For our anniversary next month.»
«A surprise?» Emily stared. «At my best friends wedding?»
«Exactly,» he nodded. «I arranged it with Charlotte and Oliver. That woman? A professional singerhelping me rehearse. I wanted to sing for you at our anniversary. Tonight was a dry run, testing my nerve in front of people.»
«And you invented fishing?» Emilys anger wavered.
«If Id said wedding without you, youd have been suspicious,» he smiled sheepishly. «I wanted it to be perfect. Imagine your face if I just started singing out of nowhere?»
«Oh my God,» Emily covered her face. «You lied to surprise me. Seriously?»
«Stupid, I know,» he squeezed her shoulders. «Forgive me? I never thought youd come alone. When Charlotte told me, I panickedstay away or risk being seen.»
«And the photos?» she asked. «You dancing with Mystery Woman?»
«Hadnt thought that far,» he admitted. «Terrible conspirator.»
The door swung openCharlotte.
«There you are!» she exclaimed. «James, we thought youd fled! Weve got that song to rehearse!»
«You knew?» Emily turned. «You helped him lie to me?»
«Of course!» Charlotte grinned. «Its romantic! James wanted to do something specialwe just helped. Youre not mad?»
Emily looked between them. Jamess eyes were pleading.
«I dont know if Im mad,» she said honestly. «But Im definitely stunned. All this for a song?»
«Not just any song,» James said softly. «Our song. The one we danced to at our wedding.»
Her breath caught. The anger dissolved.
«Youre a terrible liar,» she sighed. «But its sweet.»
«So you forgive me?» he asked hopefully.
«On one condition,» she narrowed her eyes. «I hear that song now. No point keeping secrets anymore.»
«But Im not ready!» James protested. «Weve only practiced twice!»
«Tough,» Emily smirked. «Consider me a forgiving audience.»
«I insist!» Charlotte chimed in. «My wedding, my rules. Sing, then you two can talk properly.»
Half an hour later, a flushed James stood by the mic, the singer beside him. The familiar melody begantheir first dance song. Emilys eyes pricked.
He wasnt perfect. A few off notes, forgotten lyrics. But the way he looked at herlike she was the only person in the roommattered more than any flawless performance.
When it ended, applause erupted. Emily walked over and hugged him tightly.
«Youre ridiculous,» she whispered. «And I love you.»
«Even if Im a rubbish secret-keeper?» he murmured.
«Because of it,» she smiled. «You went full spy mode just to make me happy.»
Later, in the taxi home, James still looked guilty.
«I really wanted it to be perfect,» he said, holding her hand. «Nearly ruined everything.»
«Now weve got a story for the grandkids,» Emily laughed. «How Grandpa James went fishing, but Grandma caught him live at a wedding.»
«Sounds like a rom-com title,» he chuckled. «No more secrets. Promise.»
«Oh, keep the surprises,» she nudged him. «Just pick a better cover story next time. Fishing in April? Even Tom thought that was dodgy.»
«Noted,» James grinned. «And hey we could still go fishing for real. Dave keeps inviting us both.»
«One condition,» Emily smirked. «You sing to me by the campfire. No professionals this time.»
He groaned but nodded.
«Anything for you. Even if I scare every fish in the lake.»
They laughed, the absurdity of the night tightening the knot between themproof that even misguided lies could sometimes lead to love stories worth telling.
