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“Yeah, right. Man, she’s my sister, and your jaw needed picking up off the fucking floor.”
I shake my head at him and down the rest of the champagne because I know he’s fucking right. Luckily, Miriam pulls his attention away, saving me from the interrogation.
Fuck. Little Isla Littlewood.
Chapter Three
My eyes keep watch on Liam and, more noticeably, where his own eyes land. To my disappointment, they are everywhere except on me. But I guess I’ve had my moment – it’s passed now – and I’m back to being Lil. Nothing more.
“Well, even though it was unintentional, that was quite the entrance,” Taylor whispers to me as we sip our bubbles.
“Please. It was maybe ten seconds of a reaction. Probably because I’ve not seen him in so many years.” I shrug off Taylor’s comment, even though my heart sings at his words.
I watch Liam and Eric exchange glances and read the tension in their body language. Eric is less than happy with Liam – perhaps his little stuttering speech dented his confidence in him. As long as he doesn’t screw up at the wedding, I guess.
We have a free day tomorrow, and then the wedding is the day after. My flight back is the day after the wedding – in the evening to afford myself a lie-in and recovery time before the trip home.
And, because I’m only a bridesmaid because of Eric, I’m not obligated to spend any more time with Miriam than strictly necessary – her words, not mine. She’s perfectly fine and loves my brother, but I kind of hoped that when he found the one, she’d be someone I could grow to call a friend, like a female version of Liam, in a way. Although he pretty much dumped me as soon as Eric and he were old enough, so the question of true friendship still hangs in the balance.
“I wouldn’t be so sure, Isla.”
I shake my head. “So, what’s the plan for tomorrow?” I change the subject.
“I think the groomsmen are all heading into the local town, at least for part of the day. You?”
“I have no wedding obligations, and I plan on making the best use of every minute of it.” I stretch my arms out and smile.
“Sun, sea, and sleep?”
“You know me so well.”
“Don’t burn that peachy skin of yours. That would not be a good look for the wedding.”
“Relax, Taylor. It’s one day. I want to see Grammy, too.”
To my delight, the servers deliver coffee and dessert, and I waste no time spearing the glossy cake with my fork. Light, airy, and completely delicious, I make short work of the treat. After all, I don’t need to fit into a wedding gown anytime soon.
The formality of the evening seems to fade away as people get up to visit and talk with others. I know that I should speak with my parents, but they both look busy with others, so I slip over to see Eric.
“Well, well, big brother. I have to say this is all very impressive. I approve.”
“Hey, Lil. Nice of you to drop in.” He pulls me in for a hug, and I allow myself to enjoy the closeness and air of nostalgia between us, even if it’s just for a moment. It wasn’t just Liam that I missed seeing so regularly, but my big brother, too. He, at least, remained a small presence in my life.
“You look nice.”
“Why, thank you. A genuine compliment, I believe. Do we need to mark the occasion?” I make a grand gesture of a fake curtsy-come-bow in front of him, and we both break into fits of laughter, but they die quickly, and I feel the conversation become stifled and awkward.
“So, all set for the big day?” I ask.
“According to Miriam, it’s all in hand.”
“She looks calm.” I glance over to her, talking with a cluster of what I presume are her relatives.
“She’s great. And fingers crossed, it stays like that.” My brother watches his soon-to-be wife with a look of awe and wonder, and I know that the love he has for her is utterly genuine. The look he gives her – the magic in his eyes – is something I’ll remember for a long time.
“It was good of Liam to offer all of this.” I gesture to the room as I clock Taylor heading in our direction.
“Yep.”
