Just Pretending

thirteen

James 

I walked into the living room after lazily getting dressed the following morning, Piper had come in Riley and I's room prior to steal here and I won't lie. I was curious as to why
The wedding wasn't until evening
I start to roam the house looking for an answer but all I'm met with is stranger after stranger, no sign of my actual family
"We'll have that here!" I finally heard a familiar voice say, I walked outside to see it covered in chairs and everything for the wedding 
There directing everyone was my Uncle Enzo, Dad and Arthur the unexpected trio of this wedding
"Dad, have you seen Riley?" I asked causing the three of them to turn around
"She went out with the girls to get all pampered before the wedding, they should all be back just beforehand. They had to get her a bridesmaid dress" Dad answered and I furrowed my eyebrows at him
"Why?" I asked
"She's family now son" He said making me smile but that smile soon dropped when I remember.. this was all pretend 

"James! If you aren't down here in 10 seconds I swear to god!" My mother yelled up the stairs, all the guest had arrived and Arthur was now banned from coming into the house. I'm still yet to see Riley, as soon as the girls got in Piper had her hidden her away in her room
"I'm heree" I sung walked down the stairs 
"alright, perfect. Go stand next to your father, we are about to get the girls to walk down" Mum said fussing over the straightness of my tie, I rolled my eyes before nodding rushing outside
As soon as I got to end of the aisle, everyone had turned to face me with their fake wedding smiles as I joined the rest of the men of the family at the other end

It wasn't long before music started playing, first coming out was Piper being the flower girl, she started throwing blue rose petals left right and centre with a cheesy grin on her face, she was in her element
I held my thumbs up to Pipes as she finished and took her stance next to dad
"You're going to fall in love in first sight in a minute James" Piper whispered before getting a nudge from Dad most likely telling her to shush
I chuckled at her before looking down the aisle making me breath hitch the second I made eye contact with her
Riley was at the end of the aisle walking down with one of the most genuine smiles I ever seen on anyone face
She look absolutely beautiful in Aunt Kathy's choice in bridesmaid dress, sure I had seen Riley dressed up before but this, this was something else
This could and has taken my breath
"Lucky boy" Uncle Enzo said placing his hands on my shoulder as Riley took a stance on the other side from us boys and Pipes 
I looked over at her and smiled making her smile right back at me

--

The wedding went through without a hitch which makes a change for this pair. I was stood at the table watching as Riley stood around dancing with a mixture of Piper and my parents. She fits in here like a glove and honestly it's so nice
I chuckled watching as my dad twirled her around before she made eye contact with me
She shook her head at me before walking over grabbing my hand
"Why aren't you dancing?" She asked and I shrugged
"I was watching you" I replied making her roll her eyes
Before either of us could say anything else, a slow song came on and I smiled at Riley
"Would you like to dance?" I said cheesily bowing 
"I would love to" She replied curtseying

I took both of her hands guiding her back onto the dancefloor twirling her till she was close to me
She started to giggle with every small turn before looking up at me
"They all love you" I said making Riley look around at everyone
"You have an amazing family James" She said smiling up at me
"Yeah but you've brought out a whole new side of them I haven't seen in years" I chuckled making her smile more as she laid her head on my shoulder
"You are certainly something Ri" I whispered making her now look up at me
"A good something I promise" I said chuckling but Riley's gaze didn't falter, the  more her gaze stayed on me the more I was being sucked in and I didn't have a way out
A few moments passed until I wasn't able to stop myself, I was no longer in control of my actions
I smiled at Riley before gently leaning down
We were so close I could feel her breath speed up a little at the current situation but it didn't stop either of us 
Within a matter of seconds our lips were pressed up against each other in such a gentle yet passionate kiss. It was different the any of the others we had shared

We pulled away and I took one look at Riley to see her cheeks a soft pink colour as she tried to hide her face in my shoulder
She also had never done that before and honestly? I think it might be my newest favourite thing