‘Just for future reference, I’m more than happy for you to take all the credit,’ Lorcan said.

‘Credit where credit’s due,’ I replied without looking up, making some notes in my planner.

‘I’d just prefer if you kept me out of it in the future.’

I closed my planner and turned towards him. ‘What exactly is your problem?’

‘I don’t have a problem.’

‘Clearly you do.’

‘I just don’t want to be dragged into all this wedding malarkey further than I need to be.’

‘I hate to tell you that you’re already in this up to your neck, especially with Patrick and Peyton out of the country. Believe me, if I could do this alone, I would. But right now, both of us will just have to put up with things we’re not thrilled about because all this…’ I made a circle with my hand around my planner. ‘This is not about you or me. It’s about Patrick and Peyton. I want them to be happy and have what they want, and you can help with that, so we each just have to put up with our own inconveniences and get on with things.’

‘And I’m your biggest inconvenience, I suppose?’

‘I never said that. You’re currently extremely helpful as a local contact.’

‘Good to know I have my uses.’

I gave him a brief side glance, and watched as he spread his hands on the table and studied them for a moment, his mind clearly somewhere else.

‘What happened to you?’ I asked, my voice soft.

A small, humourless smile lifted the corners of his mouth, before he turned towards me.

‘Nothing.’

‘You’re a terrible liar.’

‘Am I now?’

‘Yes.’

‘Maybe that’s true. But I’m not the only one keeping secrets, am I?’ His gaze pinned me where I was, and I felt my breath quicken, sure that for a moment he could see deep into my soul where I kept everything stored safely. Hidden but not forgotten. Never forgotten.

13

‘Here we are!’ Eoghan backed out of the kitchen door carrying a huge tray of tea and coffee as well as a cheese course. ‘I thought I’d bring a few of these to try to see which you preferred,’ he said, pointing at them as I helped him unload the tray onto the table.

‘That’s great! Thanks. Do you mind if I just excuse myself for a moment?’

‘No problem. Go to the end of the room, then turn left.’

‘Thanks,’ I said, without looking at Lorcan, and headed to the ladies to regain the composure he’d unexpectedly dislodged.

As I walked back to the table, Peyton’s number buzzed on my phone. I answered the video call and Peyton was now showered and dressed immaculately. A still sleepy-looking Patrick ducked his head in and waved.

‘All right, Maddie. That eejit, Lorcan, behaving himself?’