Page 33 of The Wedding Engagement

“So, Miss O,” Maya said, giving her a nudge. “I’ve got the green light from Brodie about that date. What say you?”

Tension was infused back into Liv’s shoulders.Can’t I get a bloody break?But Maya meant well. And it was her own fault, really, for not being more honest about her feelings.

She tried to think of an excuse, but then it occurred to her: If she agreed to meet Brodie, not only would it get Maya off her back about the relationship thing; it would also enhance her smoke screen of being on the lookout for love. Plus, it’d stop everyone from going on about her and Arran all the time.

She could meet with Brodie, have a laugh, tell him she wasn’t up for a relationship at the moment, and that would be that. Perhaps she could even spin it that Brodie wasn’t interested in her and that she was disappointed about it.Genius.“Yeah, sounds great. Give me his number and I’ll text him.”

Maya gave her a satisfied smile and Liv was relieved that it might mean a bit of peace where her love life was concerned. “Back to wedding business,” she told the happy couple. “You need to tell us all what tasks we’re taking on so we can divide and conquer.”

Maya appeared a little relieved. “Thank you. If you all don’t mind, I thought we could give one task each to you all in pairs so that you aren’t having to choose stuff on your own. Tara, would you and Angus be in charge of flowers if I tell you the color scheme and budget?”

Tara nodded. “We’d love it. And I have a good friend with an excellent florist business.”

Maya grinned. “Awesome.”

Sam reached around Maya to shove Liv’s shoulder. “And we thought we’d get Nico and Elise to pick a photographer, and you and Arran the band.”

Liv raised her eyebrows. “The band? I feel that’s quite a big responsibility. Sure you don’t mind me being in charge of that, bro?”

Sam shrugged. “Your taste in music is way better than mine anyway.”

Liv straightened, a smile on her face. “Attention, everyone! Please note that my brother has finally admitted to my superior taste in music.” She got to her feet as if making a solemn speech, hands clasped in front of her. “Let this historical moment go down in the Glenavie annals of time. Forever to be remembered on this day, and celebrated by adults and children alike—”

She was cut short as Sam stood to give her another playful shove, and then she shoved him back.

“Now, now,” Maya said loudly, holding her hands up to them both. “That’s quite enough. Play nicely, please.”

Liv shot Sam a grin, which he returned, and they both sat down again.

“In all seriousness,” Liv said, “I’d be delighted to sort out the music. And I’m sure Arran will be too.”

Sam’s grin fell a little. “Watch out for him, will you? I don’t want to put him in any awkward positions or make him feel bad.”

Liv shook her head. “Don’t worry. I’ve got his back.”

—

Agnes’s voice rang out inanswer to Arran’s knock. “Who is it?”

“Your friendly neighborhood delivery guy,” he called through the letterbox.

It was the same routine they went through every week, even when he always came round with her shopping on a Sunday evening. Hekept telling her to get a key safe so that trusted people could be given a code to retrieve the key and let themselves in, but she was too stubborn to accept. It had taken him long enough to convince her to let him shop for her.

He could hear her shuffling on the other side of the door, undoing the battery of locks she had installed. He smiled fondly as he patiently waited for her to complete the task.

She opened the door a crack, the chain still on, and eyed him suspiciously through the gap. She never trusted fully that it was him until she laid her myopic eyes on him through the safety of the tiny gap in the door.

He gave her a wink and her face crinkled in a happy smile. The door closed, followed by the sound of the chain coming off before it opened to reveal Agnes’s soft features. Her blue eyes twinkled. “Hi, son.” She lifted her chin to offer him her cheek, which he pecked with a kiss.

“Hey, beautiful,” he said, leaning back to lift the bags laden with shopping. “Let’s get this stuff away.”

She turned to grab hold of her wheeled trolley and shuffled down the hallway toward the kitchen, where she took a seat and dished out instructions regarding exactly where each item should be placed. And woe betide him if he made a mistake—she had a whip-smart tongue and no qualms about lashing him with if he disobeyed her orders.

He placed the last can in the cupboard and closed the door. “There we go.”

“Good lad. Here’s your payment.” She slid a cup of tea and a plate of biscuits across the counter.

He leaned on the counter and took a biscuit, dunking it in his tea as Agnes sipped hers.

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