“A wager?” I ask.
“Yes. You,” he says, pointing at me, “need a shake-up.”
Everybody snickers to themselves, eager to hear where this is going. Because, on one hand, I don’t want to give Killian any power over me whatsoever. But at the same time, I do owe him.
At least in my mind, I do. I don’t feel right after what happened with my brother. Our entire family tricked him into marrying a stranger while also deceiving him out of his house. And while it might have ended blissfully for him, he’s still rightfully cross with the three of us for deceiving him at all. Then, on top of that, he passed down the manor to me free and clear.
The least I can do is hear him out.
“Aye, little brother, I think you don’t give our sister enough credit for everything she does for this house.”
“Sure,” I reply with a shrug, uncertain where this is going. “But I also don’t care.”
Anna slaps me playfully on the arm.
Killian continues. “So I think in order for you to fully grasp just how much she doesandaccept what she’d be giving up if you made her quit, you have to take her job for one whole week.”
“What?” I shriek in shock. “There’s no way I could do that.”
“Oh, it can’t be that hard,” Sylvie slips in. “By the time they show up, everything has already been planned. You just have to make sure it all goes smoothly.”
“Excuse me,” Anna snaps. “It is quite hard, actually. I have to coordinate decorations, flowers, the cake, the parking, the guests, the rehearsal, the food. I don’t want Declan anywhere near these weddings. No poor fool deserves to have their nuptials ruined over some imbecilic dare of yours.”
“Don’t worry, Anna. We’ll be here to oversee and make sure Declan has it under control,” Killian says to calm our sister’s nerves.
“Okay, wait,” I say, putting my hands out toward them. “I’mnot saying I’d agree to this, but what do I get if I can pull it off?”
“If you pull it off, it will be the last wedding held at Barclay Manor,” Killian states flatly.
“No!” Anna shrieks.
I notice the way Killian shoots her a look as if to settle her worries.
“What, you think I can’t do it?” I ask.
“Oh, I know you can’t,” he replies smugly. “But if you get through the week without screaming at anyone, and the wedding is beautiful, then you’ll have the manor to yourself—everything you want. Anna, since we know how important it is to you to keep one of us living in the manor, you’ll get to keep Declan here just like you want, and everybody will be happy.”
“I won’t be happy,” she whines. “I like having the weddings.”
“Then have them somewhere else,” I say.
She huffs in frustration, crossing her arms over her chest.
“One wedding?” I ask Killian uneasily. I can’t believe I’m even considering this.
“Just one,” he replies, holding up a finger.
“Anna, when is the next reservation?” I ask.
She seems to calculate in her mind for a moment, and then her eyes pop open. “Oh, no, no, no. You can’t have that one,” she says.
“Why not?” I ask.
“It’s a celebrity wedding.Idon’t even know who the couple is.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yes. Some manager booked it and everything. I’ve only spoken to them over email. All I know is that it’s two grooms, and they will be here next week.”
