Page 52 of Highlands Summer Wedding

“Hey, you never know,” I said, feeling my cheeks warm under her scrutiny.

“You and Max areliving together.”

“Shared lodging. Out of necessity,” I argued.

Caitlin shook her head. “He never would’ve offered it if there hadn’t been a history…”

“And yet that history keeps repeating,” I muttered. “Isn’t there a line about learning from history so we don’t keep repeating it?”

We sat quietly, sipping our tea in silence.

“What’s going on?” she asked.

I exhaled. “Well, he… he’s really great. I mean, that was never a problem. We always had chemistry, both as friends and… other. But he works so hard, and he’ll answer that damned mobile whenever it rings. He’s married to his work.”

Caitlin leaned forward in her chair. “Wasn’t the big problem before that he was married to his work and you were also married to your work—and it was hard to… break away. Working on the same movie could change everything.”

“I know there are problems with the film, but I truly believe you can make this work,” said Caitlin. “And when I say ‘this,’ I meanall of it. Is the chemistry still there?”

I flushed. “Yeah.”

“Do you still love him?” she asked quietly.

I met her eyes finally. “Trying not to hasn’t worked yet.”

My answer hung between us as Melissa appeared at our table, sliding into the empty chair.

She placed a hand on my shoulder. “Abby, I’m sorry, but I overheard that last part,” she said, then turned to the table. “So, what’s that you’re having?”

“Earl Grey,” I murmured, suddenly fascinated by the pattern on my saucer.

“Tea?” Melissa looked between us. “We should be at a pub. In fact, we should have a girl’s night! Have you thought about a bachelorette party? They call them hen parties here, or hen dos. We can do it either way you want: American or UK.”

“That sounds fun,” I said, grateful for the distraction. “What kind of hen party do you want, Caitlin? We could have a weekend getaway, a spa day, go clubbing?—”

“Not clubbing!” Caitlin said, wrinkling her nose at the idea.

“Spa weekend?” Melissa suggested.

Caitlin pressed her lips together. “Maybe not the whole weekend. I’d miss Angus…”

Melissa and I locked eyes and cooed in unison. Caitlin swatted at us.

“A Saturday spa day with lunch and dinner?” suggested Caitlin.

“That sounds like a good option. We’ll add it to the list,” I said.

“What are the men planning?” Melissa asked me.

“I don’t know. I wonder if they want the wedding planner to plan it, or if the best man will do it?” I hoped it was the latter. I’d have no clue how to plan a bachelor party.

“Drew will definitely be a good party planner, so I bet it’s in good hands. Probably a night at a distillery or hillwalking… or both,” said Caitlin.

“Hillwalking after a night at a distillery sounds like a dangerous adventure!” I fought back a laugh at the mental image.

“A good way to find themselves away with the fairies…,” agreed Caitlin.

“Let’s make some plans, girls!” said Melissa, pulling an iPad from her purse and getting to work.