CHAPTER TWENTY ~ GRAEME ~ FOUR YEARS AGO
My brother is gettingmarried this weekend, and I might be more nervous than the groom himself.Scratch that, IknowI am; Brodie is the picture of calm confidence.After twelve years with Drew, he’s more than ready for them to be husband and wife.
My nerves have nothing to do with my little brother marrying the love of his life.No, my anxiety comes from the fact I’m about to see the love ofmylife for the first time in two years.
My original plan was to arrive in Toronto a week before the wedding so I could spend time with everyone and help with last-minute wedding details.My work schedule had other ideas.For the last few months, I’ve been involved in the sale of a large private estate on Skye, and the sellers have been incredibly demanding.They’re good people, and their exacting standards are a result of them selling the estate out of necessity rather than desire, so I’ve been doing what I can to make the process as easy as possible.
That means I’ve been lax with my best man duties, although Brodie has been his usual understanding, patient self.We’ve arranged everything via video chat and phone calls, and our parents handled putting together my wedding outfit.My whirlwind trip will include the rehearsal dinner tonight, the wedding tomorrow, and a post-wedding brunch the next day before I get on a plane that afternoon.
“Slàinte mhath,” Dad says, holding up his whisky glass.
Brodie and I echo the Gaelic toast, and the three of us clink glasses.We’re gathered in the bar of the swanky hotel where the wedding is being held to have a quick catch-up before dinner with the others.My intent to sip the drink turns into downing it like a shot, then calling to the bartender for another.
Brodie lets out a hoot of laughter and claps me on the back.“Steady on, brother.”
I accept the refill from the bartender with a murmured thanks, and raise the glass toward Brodie for a do-over.“It’s been a long few weeks, and I got overzealous in my desire to celebrate.I couldn’t be happier for you and Drew.Orfor the rest of us, knowing at this time tomorrow she’ll officially be a MacKinlay.”
We clink glasses again, and I sip my drink this time.
“Is that a preview of your best man speech?”Brodie asks.
“Aye, I think I struck the perfect balance between mushy stuff and embarrassing childhood memories,” I tell him.
“Can’t wait.”He chuckles and then lets out a long sigh as he glances around, taking in the high ceilings, glittering tableware, and elegant flower arrangements.I’ve only seen pictures and videos of the small ballroom where the wedding ceremony and reception will be held, but it has a similar vibe to the hotel’s restaurant.“I can’t believe the big day is almost here.”
“How are you feeling?”Dad asks.
Brodie’s grin could power the entire city for the rest of the year.“Fantastic.Ready.Excited.”He laughs when I snort into my glass.“Drew has pointed out that being married won’t be much different to how things are now since we’ve lived together for ages and our lives are completely entwined.Itfeelsdifferent, though.”
Dad and I exchange glances, and he raises an eyebrow.“Is she excited?”I ask tentatively.
“Oh, aye, she is, don’t worry about that.I’m not dragging her to the altar or anything.”Brodie shoots me another grin before taking a sip of his whisky.“Even after all these years, I think part of her is still afraid to allow herself to want more or accept that she deserves the best.She claimed we should do a courthouse ceremony since it seemed silly to throw a big, fancy wedding for fewer than fifty guests.I told her she deserved the wedding of her dreams, whatever that looked like.Once she truly believed it, she dove into the planning.”
And took Abby along with her, from what I’ve heard.For the last few months, many of Abby’s texts have consisted of pictures of flower arrangements, cake samples, and the interiors of various dress shops around Toronto.While we’ve stayed in semi-regular contact over the years and have seen each other during my visits to the city, we never quite got back to the closeness we had before Scotland.At first, we were busy getting set up in our new lives.Then as time went on, I think it was too hard for us to pretend we hadn’t spent two wonderful, life-changing weeks where we were the centre of each other’s world.
We’ve gone through stretches of time where our contact was more frequent, but for the most part, we send each other casual messages, paired with random photos and memes, and the occasional phone call for a proper catch-up.
“Ahh, there’s my gorgeous bride,” Brodie says, hopping off his stool.
I spin on my seat to face the entrance.Drew and my mum have their arms linked and their heads bent close as they chat.As Abby steps out from behind them, my heart leaps into my throat as if it’s trying to burst out of me to get to her.This is only my fourth time seeing her since I moved back to Scotland, and I swear she gets more beautiful every time.The rust-coloured cocktail dress she’s wearing hugs her delicious curves.Her hair, which is much longer than the last time I saw her, falls over one shoulder in an intricate braid.
Her eyes lock with mine.She slows her pace, falling a few steps behind Mum and Drew.Her expression is blank as she comes to a complete stop, causing a waiter to swerve around her.She apologizes profusely and then scurries to catch up, joining us just as Drew throws her arms around me.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Drew says, practically strangling me with the force of her embrace.
“I am too,” I tell her.“I’m sorry I couldn’t get here sooner.”
