Page 107 of Take My Breath Away
“No, that’s okay.” Perry’s eyes flicker from the woman to me.You sure it’s okay?they seem to say.
“I’d best find Elliot, as I don’t want to be accused of falling down on best man duties.” I wink as I give him a smile, and I’ve barely turned away before the two of them begin talking.
Over the other side of the courtyard, Elliot and Freddie are laughing with Cosmo, who’s Freddie’s best man. Taking Freddie by the arm, Cosmo leads him off, as Elliot, still laughing, shakes his head.
“What was all that about?” I ask, as I join Elliot.
“Cosmo was telling us about his latest exploits, with somebody he met on one of his apps. It was very entertaining, extremely filthy, and I’d say improbable, but then he is your cousin so as outlandish as it was, I suspect it’s true.Whoops. That’s probably an inappropriate thing to say.”
“You mean my slutty ways are genetic?” I stare at my best friend and try my hardest not to laugh when he begins to fluster.
“James, I didn’t—”
“I’m joking.” I can’t help smirking, because teasing Elliot can be such good fun. Even on his wedding day. “But you would’ve been right, not so long ago.”
“And now?”
I shake my head. “No. Never.”
Elliot plucks a couple of flutes from a waitress. “Let’s go and sit down,” he says, nodding to a small table in a sunny corner of the courtyard.
It takes us a few minutes to get there because Elliot’s stopped every couple of seconds by well wishers. We sit down and Elliot releases a long, satisfied sigh. I smile across at the man I love like a brother. He’s got a lot to be satisfied about and for that I’m so very glad.
“No regrets?” Elliot says, his steady blue eyes meeting mine. I’ve no need to ask him what he means.
“None at all, and there never will be. My life’s better than it’s ever been and it’s all down to Perry. And don’t look so smug, Hendricks.”
He snorts. “I told you it would be. With the right man by your side, everything’s better.”
“You did tell me, although it pains me greatly to admit you were right. There, I’ve said it, so you can put your self-congratulatory face away now.”
Elliot chuckles. “To you and Perry,” he says raising his flute.
“Shouldn’t you be toasting yourself and Freddie? It’s your big day after all, and as you know I’m never one to steal the limelight.”
Elliot snorts at the blatant untruth as his clear blue eyes lock with mine.
“To all of us.”
We chink glasses, and for a few moments we sit in companionable silence.
“How’s Perry’s business going?” Elliot asks. “I saw the article in theHam & Highlast month. Lots of satisfied customers from the sound of it, and rightly so.”
I can’t help grinning as pride in Perry wells up inside me.
“Yes, the local rag did a good job, and they even got his name right. He’s going from strength to strength. I have to admit, I’m so glad the kitchen unit on the business park we looked at fell through and that he’s ended up working from home.”
Our home, not in some grim bungalow in Brighton…
“It’s about time that big showroom kitchen of yours is finally being put to good use. Perry’s certainly shown that with our wedding cake. It’s a masterpiece. I always knew he was good, but both Freddie and I were speechless when we first saw it. Thank goodness he could fit us in at such short notice, after the original guy’s shop burnt down.”
“Oh, I set it alight. Didn’t you realise? It was all part of my marketing campaign forPerry Buckland Cakes. We’re expecting a glowing review on the website and for you to sing Perry’s praises to all your business contacts.”
“Why do I think you committing arson isn’t totally outside the realm of possibility? But you’re right about a review and recommendations.”
Laughing, I close my eyes and tilt my face to catch the warm, late afternoon sun.
When the kitchen unit on the start-up site fell through, I’d been secretly thrilled. The truth is, I wanted Perry working fromourkitchen inourhome. I was even more thrilled that he jumped at my suggestion. It made a lot of business sense too, not that either of us had to push that point very hard.
