She kisses my cheek, then gently pats where her lips landed.“No worries, mister big-shot real estate mogul.Brodie and I aresoproud of you.”
“We all are,” Mum chimes in from where she’s currently perched on my dad’s lap.You’d think they were still newlyweds from the way they’re always touching and kissing.Brodie and I joke about how disturbing their open affection can be, but we both admire the hell out of them and aspire to that level of love, respect, and devotion in a relationship.I’d say Brodie and Drew are well on their way.
“I’m hardly a mogul, but thank you all the same,” I say.
“Anyway, we’ll have time to catch up properly when we’re in Scotland for our honeymoon,” Drew says, her eyes alight with pleasure.
The pair is leaving for Scotland a few days after the wedding.They’ll spend several days in Edinburgh with our parents, followed by a week in a cabin in the Highlands, and then a week with me in Skye before heading back for another couple of days in Edinburgh.
“I’m looking forward to it,” I say.“I have all sorts of things planned for when you visit.”
“I can’t wait,” Drew says, clapping her hands and bouncing on the balls of her feet.“Now if you can help me convincethis oneto join us for at leastpartof the trip, the whole thing will be perfect.”She jerks a thumb in Abby’s direction, and I allow myself to look at her properly for the first time since she joined us.
Abby rolls her eyes good-naturedly.“Because who doesn’t want to be a third wheel on their best friends’ honeymoon?Also, hi, Graeme.”
“Hiya, Pumpkin Spice.”I hold out my arms, and she moves forward without hesitation.I expect a quick hug since we have an audience, but she wraps her arms around me tightly, so I do the same.We hold on for longer than is likely appropriate, but I don’t care.Having her back in my arms again feels so damn right.
I kiss her cheek as we release each other, and notice two things: first, the flush on her cheeks, and second, the thin silver chain that disappears under the neckline of her dress.She’s worn the Luckenbooth during my other visits to Canada, and I’ve noticed it in every selfie or group picture she sends me.Knowing she still wears it after all these years fills me with a sense of hope I’m not sure I have any right to feel.
“You could join us just for the Skye portion, which means you wouldn’t be a third wheel because Graeme would be there,” Drew says.
“This is true,” I say.“You’d be welcome to stay with me for as long as you like.”
“Or us,” Mum chimes in.“You know you always have an open invitation.”
“I do, thank you.”Abby smiles sweetly at both of my parents.“As I’ve told Drewmultiple times,” she says pointedly, eyes narrowed at her best friend, “now’s not a good time to take a vacation.We’re in the middle of a merger, and things at the office are chaotic.”
Her gaze shifts to the well-dressed man who approaches to tell us our table is ready.She looks as if she wants to kiss him in gratitude for interrupting this conversation.
As we’re led to our reserved table at the back of the restaurant, Brodie checks his phone and informs us our cousin, Dougal, who’s serving as a groomsman, will be ten minutes late.When Drew tells us Fern should be here any minute, Brodie and I exchange a look.Dougal and Fern were looking cozy in the lobby when I arrived earlier, and Brodie and I predicted they’d be the stereotypical wedding party hook-up of the weekend.I’d been grateful when he hadn’t made a joke about the best man and maid of honour getting together, and I hadn’t allowed my mind to linger on the thought.
“Looks like we’re together,” Abby says, pointing to the name cards on the table.“Sittingtogether, I mean.”
I pull out her chair, and she offers me a small smile.The scent of her familiar floral perfume greets me as she slides into her seat, evoking a flood of memories I immediately shove aside.
“How are you feeling about tomorrow?”I ask after a server has been by to fill our wine glasses.
Abby blows out a long breath through pursed lips.“I couldn’t be happier for them.I’msohonoured to be such a big part of their special day, but I’m also a bit nervous.The aisle in the ballroom feels endless, and it’s daunting knowing everyone’s attention will be on me when I come in.”
“I’d tell you to picture everyone naked, but I’ve always found that to be rather disturbing advice.So maybe just keep your eyes on me.”
“And pictureyounaked?”The second the words are out, her eyes go wide, and she claps a hand over her mouth.
The question, paired with the blush that rushes to her cheeks, makes my blood heat.“Abby...”
She drops her hand and reaches for the glass of wine in front of her.“I can’t believe I just said that,” she whisper-hisses.“The champagne Drew and I had in her hotel room clearly went straight to my bed.My head!Straight to myhead!Oh my god, please forget everything I just said.”
There’s absolutely no chance of that happening, but I simply smile and change the subject.
* * *
Soft string music fillsthe ballroom, paired with the low hum of voices.Mum and I reach the front row of seats, and she kisses my cheek.Her eyes are already swimming with tears, and we’ve barely begun.
“You lads look so handsome,” she whispers, smoothing her hands over my jacket.Brodie and Drew decided the men should be in full Scottish wedding attire: kilt in the MacKinlay tartan; black waistcoat, jacket, and tie over a white dress shirt; black ghillie brogues; knee socks with flashes; and a sporran.As the groom, Brodie is wearing a plaid fly over his left shoulder, pinned with a large silver stag head and thistle brooch that belonged to our grandfather.Drew joked it would likely take us longer to get dressed than it would take her.
“Love you, Mum,” I say, kissing her cheek and then going to stand with Brodie and Dougal.Brodie’s signature smile is firmly in place as he scans the guests, occasionally nodding and waving.
“All right?”I ask.
