The sea crashed fiercely against the nearby cliffs and suddenly it felt as if that was all there was. Lorcan, me and the thundering sea below. Everything else stopped for a split second that felt like forever – and then the memories flooded in.

‘You’re being ridiculous.’

‘Am I?’

‘Of course.’

‘When was the last time you had a decent relationship?’

My mouth dropped into a perfect ‘O’. ‘That is absolutely none of your business!’

‘Probably not, but I’ve asked it now.’

‘Well, I shan’t be answering it. You’re hardly an open book yourself.’

‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ he snapped back, his expression hardening.

‘We both know what it means but, right now, it doesn’t matter. In fact, none of it matters. Once this wedding is done, I can go back to doing what I do and you can go back to doing what you do. In the meantime, I’m bloody freezing and desperate for a wee so do you mind showing me where I’m supposed to be staying? Assuming I’m still invited.’

He rolled his eyes. ‘Who’s this insured for?’ He gave a side nod to the car.

‘Both of us, apparently. They already had your details.’

‘Good. Easier if I drive, then. Is he all right on your lap?’ He looked down at the dog.

‘Of course,’ I said, lifting Bod up and laughing as he snuggled in for more cuddles, his tail wagging madly. I glanced over at Lorcan, the dog’s antics for the moment breaking the tension that had slid between us.

‘Told you he’d missed you,’ he said as he opened the door for us and I clambered in, busying myself with fussing the little dog as Lorcan strode round to the driver’s side and slid the seat back in order to get in. ‘It’s actually pretty roomy in here. I thought I’d be ducking.’

‘I know. Great, huh? So cute.’

He turned the key. ‘It is. You should get one next time. It suits you.’

Forcing myself to try and forget our spat, I smiled up at him. ‘A few more weddings like this one, and maybe I will. Assuming it goes well, of course. If it doesn’t, I think I’ll be walking for ever more.’

‘Relax. It’s going to be just fine.’

32

‘I don’t like him,’ Lorcan said as we drove away from the castle after I’d finally managed to pin down the photographer for a quick meet and greet. Calum had then insisted we stay for a cup of tea, taking advantage of a moment of calm in the planning, before we headed back to Lorcan’s mum’s house.

‘You don’t have to like him.’

‘You don’t like him either.’

‘I didn’t say that.’

‘You didn’t have to. I’m good at reading body language,’ he stated. Somehow that wasn’t too hard to believe.