Page 65 of The Life-Changing Magic of Falling in Love

‘I want my big brother. End of.’

‘Then consider me at your side aiding and abetting. Stag do at The Bedraggled Badger is a lock. The kids sent me a picture of it the other week actually. Tell them both more pictures please.’

‘Will do. Oh, and you’ll bring Anya, of course.’

‘Of course.’ I’m quite proud of the fact that the hesitation was undetectable.

‘Might give her ideas … wouldn’t be such a bad thing, would it?’

‘How do you know we don’t have ideas of our own?’ I ask, thinking of the five-year plans we love making.

‘Please. If it was left to the two of you, you’d marry your careers, not each other. We all thank our stars your jobs are at the same place – if only because it means you might accidentally bump into each other and remember to have sex every now and then. Kudos on the promotion by the way. Exactly how big is that whacking great big pay rise?’

‘Oh, it’s disgustingly huge,’ I say, grinning.

‘Good. Although let’s be honest, we can all do with more money, but it’s not what makes the world go round, is it?’

‘Isn’t it?’

‘Well no. According to some wise-arse in Millie’s class it’s love … and marriage … before kids.’

‘So, you’re smashing it in retrospect then.’

‘Will be and couldn’t be happier about it. You’ll definitely be able to get the time off?’

‘Nothing is going to stop me coming home for my brother’s wedding. Nothing.’

‘And Anya? Can work spare the two of you at the same time?’

First my kid brother was practical. Then conventional. And now realistic? I try to remember the last time Anya and I had any vacation together and remember Sicily and grin. I know we didn’t have such a serious workload back then but we still worked like we did. Work hard. Play hard. I grin some more. ‘We’ll be there. You can count on us.’ There was no way he was letting his brother down like he had so many times when they were younger.

‘Cool. Very cool. All right bro, I’m aware of the time out there, so I’ll let you get suited and booted. Say hi to Anya for me.’

‘Will do. Bye.’

In the sudden silence I stare at the city skyline.

My kid brother is getting married.

My kid brother is a dad nearly three times over.

I’m on track for all of that, I reason.

In a solid relationship, aren’t I?

Got the promotion, didn’t I?

I rub a hand over my heart.

Anya and I never did get our romantic break. What could be more romantic than a summer wedding in an English village. And I already know I have Harrison and Elizabeth’s blessing when it comes to getting engaged. Maybe Anya being around my niece and nephew, seeing a pregnant Jules, being at a wedding … maybe she’ll want to speed up our own plans. Maybe forgo another promotion in pursuit of a wedding?

Now that was sweet noodles for thought!

Chapter Nineteen

IN A PICKLE

Ashleigh

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