The Opposite of Us

This Time We'll Come Up For Love

Heath's POV

Today has been amazing and it's not even done yet. The sun is casting a magical glow over everything, or maybe that's the rose-coloured glasses I'm wearing. I have hope again and I don't know whether I should curse myself for trusting that something good might happen today, but I can feel it. I can feel it happening tonight.

Everyone is milling around chatting and playing lawn games while Finn and I snack on finger foods before the reception. Richelle and Noah have returned and are mingling with everyone, either catching up with people or joining in on the games.

Gazing over the area, my eyes settle on Izzy playing Kubb with some of our friends and some kids I presume are relatives of Richelle and Noah. She is deep in concentration as she goes to throw a stick at a small block of wood on the other side of the field marked out by smaller sticks. She lets go of the stick and it hits one of the blocks, ricocheting into Jacquie's leg. Izzy celebrates while getting stared down by the fiery brunette. I smile to myself, happily watching the game unfold.

"So Heath," I hear Henry say from behind me, pulling me into his conversation with Ozzy, Noah and Richelle who have finally made it over to us. "How have you been single nearly the whole time since we left TNS?"

I'm stunned for a moment, wondering where this is coming from. I've nearly composed an answer when Ozzy cuts in.

"Because he's been pining after my sister."

All eyes are on Ozzy, varying degrees of shock or confusion on our faces. Richelle's expression quickly turns to excitement as she squeals at the idea. "Please tell me it's true!"

I cough and shift awkwardly, running a hand through my now short again hair. I was not expecting to be called out like this, but Ozzy's not wrong.

"Yes," I say, rubbing the back of my head. "I've liked Izzy since just after we met. But who knows if we will ever get our chance or if it will ever be our time."

What I don't say is that I think our time might be sooner rather than later.

Someone over the mic gets everyone's attention, calling us towards the reception hall for dinner. Before he can escape, I pull Ozzy aside.

"When did you figure it out?" I ask quietly, trying to keep my voice down.

He smirks, the grin pissing me off a little. He's always been a smug bastard, but I guess I'm not much better towards him. I calm myself down at the thought.

"I didn't know until you just confirmed it. But I had my suspicions", Ozzy says, looking at me from the corner of his eye. "After you were both mooning over each other at Christmas, I started to realise that you've always looked at her like that. It made me uncomfortable. But if it's what you want and it'll make her happy, then I give you my blessing."

I snort. "Thank you. But you know she would slap you for thinking she needs your blessing."

He smiles smugly in reply, "I do. It's why I didn't say it to her."

I roll my eyes and shove him forward, heading towards the reception.

——

The reception hall was decorated similarly to the ceremony arbour, with different floral arrangements on the tables and a ladder suspended from the roof with vines and flowers draped off it with fairy lights threaded throughout. I know Izzy will be squealing inside at how good it all looks, not that she'd let anyone else know this. She's always kept up the tough girl exterior, but her excitable nature often slips through, revealing her more feminine or romantic side which she has tucked away for so long. I've been lucky enough to see it a couple of times at home. Sometimes I'll see her watching shows like Gilmore Girls or Never Have I Ever, or listening to love songs in her room. She literally has a pinboard in her room with her favourite tv and movie couples pinned to it amongst all the postcards she has from Richelle. There are a couple of other artistic flares as well. It looks like it could be a real-life Pinterest board.