‘I’m sorry, Lorcan,’ I said, meeting his eyes again, determined not to let the rush of emotions currently flooding through me show on my face. He’d always been able to read me from the first moment we met, but I needed all my barriers up now. ‘I don’t think we have anything to talk about and I’m meeting a potential client.’

‘I’m the client.’

‘But…’ I looked down at my notes. ‘I have a different name.’

‘Keane. It’s Mam’s maiden name. I knew if I booked it in my name, you wouldn’t agree to see me.’

‘Right. Well, honesty doesn’t seem to be your strong suit so I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.’

For a moment he looked as if I’d slapped him, but he kept his focus on me. ‘I guess I deserve that.’

There was no ‘guess’ in my opinion but I kept my thoughts to myself. Looking up, I saw that tactic didn’t seem to have made a difference. As usual, he knew exactly what I was thinking, but right now I didn’t care. I couldn’t be here with Lorcan and certainly not to help him plan a wedding when even the thought of such a step with me had been anathema to him. My coffee only half drunk, I picked up my notebook and dropped it back into my tote bag.

‘Look, I’m pleased that you’ve found someone with whom you want to build a life, but I’m afraid I won’t have time to be your planner. Please do pass on my apologies to your fiancée.’

I made to stand but he reached out and touched his fingertips to mine, not stopping me. At least, not physically. The shock cracked through me as though I’d touched an electric fence.

‘Lorcan, I—’

‘There is no fiancée.’

‘What?’

‘There is no fiancée,’ he repeated. ‘At least not yet.’

I shook my head, pulling my hand away from him and gathering my things. ‘I don’t have time for this, Lorcan. My calendar is rammed and I only agreed to this meeting because Peyton asked me to…’ Great. So Peyton was in on this too. After all I’d done for her, I thought, suddenly mad with everybody. ‘Unbelievable,’ I snapped, pushing the chair out quickly and standing. Lorcan mimicked my movements.

‘Maddie. Wait. Please.’

‘No! And please tell Peyton I don’t appreciate her—’

‘I love you.’

My mouth snapped closed like a turtle.

‘Please, just hear me out. I know it was a sneaky way of getting to see you but I couldn’t get hold of you any other way. Please? I appreciate I don’t have the right to ask any of this, but I needed to tell you some things. Things you deserve to know.’

‘It’s a little late now, Lorcan.’