‘I wouldn’t say helping out your best friend is work, and, if you object that much, you can wait somewhere else while I tour the venue tomorrow.’

‘As much as that appeals, I have strict instructions to accompany you.’

I gave a disbelieving snort. ‘Like you’ve ever followed a strict instruction in your life.’

‘Well, that always depends on what it is, and who’s issuing it.’ He waggled his eyebrows.

‘You’re incorrigible,’ I replied, doing my best not to give in to the smile and failing, picking up my phone, holding it up, down, to one side and then the other. ‘Is there any signal here?’

‘Patchy at best.’

‘Wi-Fi?’

‘Sure. We’re not backwards.’

‘I wasn’t suggesting you were. I don’t suppose you happen to know the password?’

‘The password is freewifi, no capitals. What is it exactly you’re after?’

A patient sigh escaped my teeth as I typed it in. OK, perhaps not that patient. ‘Caterers, a florist, music, glassware suppliers, cutlery suppliers, crockery—’

‘Suppliers,’ he finished for me. ‘I get it.’ He pushed his chair back, wood scraping against the floorboard as he held out his hand. ‘Come with me.’

‘Lorcan, I really don’t have—’

‘Come with me.’

I stayed where I was for a moment, challenging him with my eyes. He remained impassive.

‘Ugh. You’re impossible.’

‘You do say the nicest things, Miss Madeleine.’

‘It’s Ms.’

‘Yes, ma’am,’ he noted, helping me on with my coat. His hands moved to my belt, one holding one end, the other holding its opposite and gently pulled, the action turning me around to face him. Deep blue eyes looked down, locking onto mine for a moment before his gaze dropped to the belt, which he fastened around me securely. ‘Chillier than it looks out there today.’ His voice was soft and that rolling lilt only enhanced the gentleness of the words. I took a step closer so that there was barely an inch of space between us and stood up on my tiptoes, even then still only reaching his jaw, rough with the shadow of dark stubble, with my temple.

‘You’re forgetting something,’ I whispered.

‘What’s that?’ I could hear the faint rasp in his words, underlying the deep, smooth tones.

‘Your charms don’t work on me.’ I made to step back but his hand quickly caught mine, making me stop and look up.

His eyes fixed on me and I couldn’t help but look back, part of me wanting to stay there, locked in that moment, and part of me wanting to push away. What felt like ages probably lasted only a beat before Lorcan spoke again.

‘Come with me.’ And without waiting for an answer, he took my hand and led me with long-legged strides out of the room.

‘I need my planner!’ I huffed out, a little breathless from keeping up.