Page 46 of Highlands Summer Wedding

We stood there, neither of us pulling away.

He bent toward me—and then his phone rang.

Max blinked, then looked down at the caller ID. He hesitated, his thumb hovering over the screen.

I waited. His eyes met mine again, apologetic and torn.

I caught the name on the screen before he swiped.

Cat.

I stepped toward the house. “Take it,” I said quietly.

I went straight to my bedroom and shut the door behind me with a soft click. I stood there in the dark for a moment, my forehead resting against the wood.

CHAPTER 18

Icouldn’t work yet. Still needed to get my work visa sorted. Look at me, saying things like “sorted.” So I was back in my old role: wedding planner and sister of the bride.

Thedriveto Invernesstookustothe second MacAlister Inn, whereLindsay, Sydney,and Elspethwerewaiting.Drew MacAlister—Angus’sbest friendsincetheywere boys—owned boththislocationand the one in Drumnadrochit wheremy sisterwouldsayhervows.

We sat at a table by the window. Soon, Lindsay emerged from the kitchen in her white chef uniform, carrying a tray of appetizers. She set it down and pulled Angus and Caitlin into a tight hug.

Not to be outdone,Sydney—Angus’s sisterwhomanagedtheplacewith her girlfriend Elspeth—practicallybounced acrosstheroom until she reached her brother, then crossed her arms in mock anger. “I can’t believeyou’vebeenhereforagesandthisisthefirstI’m seeingofyou.”

Elspeth walked over and gave Sydney a gentle squeeze around the shoulders. “They’ve had their hands full, Syd.”

“Well, we’re here now,aren’twe?Readytosortthrough all themenus and ribbons andwhatnot thatMuminsistswillmakeorbreaktheentireaffair,” said Angus, sounding as if he were walking into battle.

Caitlin, Elspeth, and I erupted in a chorus of “They are important!” followed by a burst of laughter.

Angus grinned and shook his head in mock surrender.

“Lindsay will go over menus with you, and I think I’m on ribbon, flowers, gazebo—that kind of thing. Who’s doing songs, poems, music—all that? Angus?” asked Sydney.

Angus rubbed his chin. “We’ve got the music sorted. We do need a poem or two. What were you thinking, Caitlin?”

“You can’t go wrong with Robert Burns. I loveRed, Red Rose, but is it a cliche?” asked Caitlin.

“Doesn’t have to be. I’ve always liked it. Shall we say one decision is done?” Angus raised an eyebrow.

“Done and done,” said Caitlin. “Next!”

“These appetizers are looking good…” Angus eyed the spread in front of them. “Are these part of the tasting menu?”

“Yes! We have an assortment of Scottish cheeses here, with crackers.” Lindsay gestured around the table as she spoke. “Over here there’s a nice fig jam for the cheese on your left. Then this next one is shrimp with a pea pod and bacon. Over here, we have bridies?—”

“What’s that? A wedding thing?” Caitlin asked.

“Just a cozy little empanada-type thing with cheese inside,” Lindsay said.

“They’re the best!” said Sydney.

Lindsay pointed at the last dish. “And these are haggis bites in pastry puffs.”

“These are all perfect,” said Caitlin between bites. “Don’t you think, Angus? Maybe we should avoid the shrimp and bacon one… on the other hand, it’s protein for anyone who doesn’t do dairy or gluten.”

“Yeah, that was my plan,” said Lindsay. “Should we add another one like that?”