Page 116 of Just Say Yes
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Spring had finally arrived. You could feel and smell it in the air, even here in the city. I was on my way to another potential booking, meeting at a coffee shop near the Shard. I’d put Lorcan O’Malley out of my mind, as much as I could. Occasionally his face would drift into my dreams but I’d learned to ignore it as best I could. I knew it would be a while before I’d be able to fix my heart entirely and I had a feeling the traces of the damage would remain, like when you glued a pot back together – the crack could still be seen, even if it was faint. But I’d faced worse than Lorcan O’Malley in my life and survived and I would do so again.
In contrast to my personal life, work had gone from strength to strength. Peyton had done a deal to do a feature on her wedding on a well-known socialite’s blog, which linked to the hundreds of thousands of followers on the woman’s socials. Apparently the two had gone to school together so as far as Peyton was concerned it was just a chat between friends, and an opportunity for thousands more people to see how beautiful she’d looked on their special day. Patrick hadn’t been so keen but she’d sweet-talked him and he’d gone along with it on the proviso that hardly any of the pictures featured him. As this gave Peyton even more chance to shine and be the centre of the attention, it wasn’t a hard ask.
Although it had been merely a chat for Peyton, the outcome for my planning business, Izzy’s atelier and the venue (according to Calum, with whom I’d kept in touch), as well as Fiadh’s florists and all the other businesses involved, had been impactful in the best way – something we were all grateful for after the previous couple of years. My books were almost full and I was only meeting the couple today because Peyton had asked me to as a favour and I, like most people, was rubbish at saying no to her.
I took my coffee and grabbed a table near the window, pulling out my notebook ready before checking my email and messages while I waited for my clients.
‘Hi.’
I didn’t need to look up. That voice would be forever etched into my memories – and my heart.
Slowly I lifted my head and met his eyes.
‘Hello,’ I said, my voice cool and professional as I tried not to show my surprise at his appearance. There were dark circles under his eyes, he’d lost a little weight and his hair was several weeks past needing a cut.
‘You look well,’ he said, having apparently ascertained I wasn’t about to jump up into his arms, begging him to let us try again.
‘Thank you. So do you.’
‘Liar.’ The smile I’d loved spread across his face. ‘I look like crap and we both know it.’
I gave a small smile in return but said nothing. He’d already seen straight through my words and I wasn’t about to expend energy on something that no longer mattered. That was what I told myself anyway, but the truth was my heart was now hammering against my ribs and it felt as if the only reason the entire café couldn’t hear it was due to the soft jazz playing in the background.
‘Do you mind if I sit?’ he asked.
‘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—’
