‘That’s fabulous. Lorcan didn’t tell me that’s how he knew you. You’ve all certainly done a wonderful job. It’s beautiful in here and complements your food perfectly.’

‘Ah, I’ve known Lorcan since school and most of us have moved around but we all know our old friends are there if we need them. It’s grand.’

‘It must be lovely to have that bond of friendship and history.’

‘Aye, it is. Even though it does make it difficult to try and get your mate to ever send you a bill for all the effort and time he put in.’

‘I was busy,’ Lorcan said, studying a menu.

‘Too busy to collect the money you were owed. We know you do well, mate, but you’re not using a gold-plated loo seat just yet. You’ve got to treat everyone the same and let us pay what we owe when you’re owed.’

‘Quit your whingeing. You paid, didn’t you?’

Eoghan turned to me. ‘Eighteen months it took me to get a bill out of him. Eighteen months.’ He shook his head and bit down on a cracker. Lorcan continued to study the menu and I worked on trying to figure out just who this man was. Why did he try to act so nonchalant and casual, when it was becoming clearer that there was a heart of solid gold in that hard and muscled chest? My eyes drifted down to it and I found myself wondering what it looked like without the tee shirt. I’d already had a glimpse of a toned stomach and I could only imagine— No! I couldn’t imagine! I mean, I really could, which was the problem! I shouldn’t. I mustn’t. Lorcan O’Malley was too laid-back in a lot of ways and too complicated in others. A romance would be a disaster. And against my rules. And just…

‘Maddie?’

‘Nothing!’

A smile began to tease Lorcan’s lips. ‘You OK, there?’

‘Yes. Just… thinking of… stuff. For the wedding. Obviously.’ I tapped my planner with my nail for emphasis. ‘Yep. All about the wedding.’ Oh, God, Eoghan must think I was an idiot. ‘Sorry.’ I turned to him. ‘It’s just kind of an important wedding. I mean, not that all of them aren’t but… you know. It’s a biggie.’

‘Yep. All our sort of businesses certainly took a hit, didn’t they? Don’t worry. It’s going to be great.’