Page 7 of Just Say Yes
‘Funny story. And in a way, it’s all your fault.’
* * *
Two hours later we were making great progress and I was forming an even clearer idea in my mind, and on paper, about the wedding Patrick and Peyton wanted. I got the impression this was more Peyton’s vision and that Patrick was just happy to give her whatever she wanted. Lorcan, so far, had mostly behaved himself although I’d seen him bite his tongue a couple of times when Peyton went particularly misty-eyed about the romance of the occasion.
‘So when will you be able to go out and take a look at the venue?’ Peyton asked, her eyes shining with excitement. ‘Depending when it is, we might not be able to come but we can talk by video, right?’
‘Oh… yes. Of course. I assumed you would want to be there but whatever works best for you.’
She exchanged a look with Patrick. ‘There’s actually something you should probably know.’
‘Oh?’ This sounded ominous. I glanced beside me at Lorcan, who was studying the grain in my lovingly worn and well-oiled oak table top.
Patrick picked up the conversation. ‘An opportunity has come up for me to do a lecture term at Stanford University. The guy who was going to do it had to drop out and I really don’t want to turn down the chance in case it doesn’t come around again.’ He looked at Peyton, who nodded and wrapped her arm around his biceps. ‘Peyton is going to come with me so she can visit her family and friends on the way.’
‘Also, I really don’t want to be away from Patrick for that long. I mean, I know I could fly back and forth but it’s not the same, is it?’
Ah, the benefits of never having to work for a living…
‘No… it’s not,’ I said, a little bewildered. ‘But you still want to get married at Christmas?’
‘Absolutely,’ Peyton confirmed. ‘All the plans are to be kept as they are. I mean, as far as we have plans – which isn’t much, thanks to our previous disaster.’ Worry showed in her eyes and she scrunched her arm around Patrick’s that little bit tighter. ‘But I have my dress, so that’s good, and the paperwork for getting married in Ireland is all done. The rest we thought, if you agree to it, we could do via video-conferencing and messaging. I know the time difference makes things a bit of a challenge but your references all said you could handle just about anything.’
‘That’s a bold claim to live up to,’ Lorcan said, fixing me with a cool stare. To be fair, I had to give him kudos for almost pulling the serious look off in that outfit. The only reason I didn’t crack up was because years of doing this job had had the benefit of enabling me to master my poker face. Also, I wasn’t intimidated by people. Even six-five, rugby-player types who towered over me. To be fair, I don’t think Lorcan was actually trying to intimidate me. He was sure of himself, and he wouldn’t know romance if it whacked him across the face with a box of Milk Tray, but he didn’t appear to be one of those idiots who tried to use their size as a weapon or tactic. Someone had tried that once and discovered, to their cost, it just meant my fist was perfectly placed to have them singing soprano for the next week.
‘It is, but one I feel I can back up.’ Admittedly planning a wedding almost from scratch without the bride or groom around was a new one on me but I didn’t think they needed to know that.
‘You have all my lists, and obviously we’ve talked things over on email and now today. Lorcan knows our tastes and preferences, so with all that we thought you two could kind of plan it together and then just run things past us before anything was locked in. You’ve already been great at picking up on all the things we want and suggesting perfect additions or alternatives. To be honest, after the last experience, I don’t think I can deal with all the planning personally again now.’ Peyton put a hand to her cheek and leant against Patrick, who wrapped his arm around her and dropped a kiss on her temple.
‘It’s all right, darlin’.’
She took a deep breath as though to calm herself. Lorcan rolled his eyes. Peyton was lovely but it did appear there was a touch of drama princess about her and I guessed that wasn’t his type.
‘Anyway,’ Peyton continued with a brave smile, ‘with Lorcan and Patrick being like peas in a pod, we just know that between you you’ll make all the best choices. We didn’t want to say anything until we had this meeting today but it’s so clear it’s going to work out perfectly.’
‘Right,’ I said, hauling up a smile and fixing it on my clients, agreeing enthusiastically, but hopefully just shy of the nodding-dog effect. ‘Yes. That’s great. Whatever, and however you want things done, we can make it work.’ This was definitely not how I had foreseen the planning for this wedding proceeding, but I prided myself on being able to adjust to all manner of situations. My eyes drifted to the ever growing puddle in my garden cutting me off from my studio and I wondered how close the bucket upstairs was to full. This wedding was going to be perfect. It had to be!
4
‘Lorcan has kindly offered to be available as often as you need him.’
‘I’m sure I’ll be able to do a good amount on my own, so hopefully I won’t need to disturb you too much.’
‘You won’t be disturbing me.’
‘Don’t you have to work?’
‘I do, but I run my own business and I have good people I can rely on. Plus they know this is going on and how important it is.’ At this comment, Peyton beamed and turned to Patrick, who nodded down at her as he glanced at his friend, gratitude showing for a moment. I’d wondered about these two initially following Patrick’s demand and ensuing reaction to the dog, but in that moment it was brilliantly clear that their bond was deep and didn’t need to be spoken. It just was.
Lorcan continued. ‘I’ve told the team I’ll be less on hand than usual for a while, but I’m always at the end of the line if they need me.’
‘It’ll be great for Lorcan to take you to the venue too, as he knows the place so well.’
‘You’re familiar with the castle, then?’ I tilted my head to meet Lorcan’s eyes.
Peyton let out a tinkly laugh. ‘Of course he is. It’s his—’
‘Friend’s. It’s my friend’s place.’
