Page 110 of Something Borrowed

I look around to see Leo beckoning me. I wander over obligingly. “I presume you’re summoning me with that noise.”

“You’re giving off Red Setter energy, Raff.”

“Thank you.”

He rolls his eyes. “Only you would think that was a compliment. Go and sit down.”

“Should it be on the naughty step with that tone of voice?”

“No, but don’t tempt me.” He pats my hand. “You haven’t eaten yet, and everything is fine now. Sit down and relax.”

“I’ve still got things to do. To be honest, I don’t think you hairdressers know what real work is.”

“I know it might involve being in a conversation with you.”

Richard snorts, and I grin at them. “I just need to check the arrangements for the cake-cutting first.”

“Oh, leave it.”

I stare at Leo. “Not until you say the words, ‘Rafferty, you are the world’s best wedding planner’.”

He groans. “Must I?”

I tap my chin. “I really think you do. And add ‘Throughout time there has never been a better one’.”

“Rafferty, you are the world’s best wedding planner.” I cup my hand behind my ear, and he grimaces. “In all time.”

“Thank you. I’ll sit down in a minute.”

“Good because Stan is starting to look a little worn thin.”

“What?” I jerk my head to look over at Stan’s table. Bennett is talking to him, and Stan’s face is set.

Leo taps my hand. “The cake is fine. You’ve gone over everything at least ten times, Raff.Pleasego and sit down.”

I nod. “Yeah,” I say, drifting off, aware of Leo still talking behind me.

I’m about ten steps from the table and can already feel the tension. Rowena, Edward, and Stan’s grandma have moved and are talking to a guest at another table. Wolfie is sitting onRowena’s knee, attempting to cram what looks like a whole piece of lemon tart into his mouth while no one is paying attention. Lottie—along with Alex, and Pat and his partners—are still seated and looking at Bennett coolly, and Stan’s jaw is set with a little tic pulsing away. I’m startled by the wave of possessiveness that roars through me. That man is mine, and he needs to know it as soon as possible.

I come up next to them. “You’re in my place,” I say to Bennett, meaning it in every way possible. It should be me next to Stan, holding his hand and laughing with him, and I’m not spending another day simply wishing for it.

Stan’s head turns my way, and I squeeze his shoulder. The tenseness in the muscles relaxes a little.

Bennett cocks his head. “But maybe it was my seat before you, Rafferty. It’s too comfortable to leave.”

Stan frowns. “I do hope you’re still talking about an inanimate piece of furniture, Bennett, because otherwise, we’re going to have a problem.”

“What else could I be talking about?”

Pat drags a spare chair over, positioning it on the other side of Stan. He’s already lost his tie, and his grey-flecked, short hair is messy and wild. “Pull up a pew, mate.”

“Thank you.” I smile at him and slide into the chair.

“Well, look at that,” Bennett drawls. “You’re the filling in a man sandwich, Stan. You should be into that. Getting a bit of attention for once in your life.”

“I’m getting bad vibes,” Pat offers. “Pay attention to the sun, Bennett. Breathe through your nose.”

“Yeah,” his girlfriend breathes approvingly.

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