Page 28 of Something Borrowed

“This time of year, I have to add another gym workout,” Margot says.

“It still bewilders me that most brides and grooms expect us to take part in the tasting with them. It’s the fruit cakes I dread. Tiny raisins.” Jed grimaces and then gestures at me to get on with it.

I tap my pen on the diary pages. “And after that, I’ve got a meeting with Leo.”

“How’s that going?” Margot asks.

My coworkers all know Richard and Leo, a couple who’ve been my best friends for years. “Fine.” I flick through the pages with details for their wedding. "They’ve got the pre-wedding party next week at Anson’s Restaurant. Don’t forget that you’re all invited.”

Everyone nods, and there’s a rustle as they check their diaries.

“They’re getting married in two weeks in Devon in a small ceremony for the families. Then they’ve got their commitmentceremony in Greece, so don’t forget I’m out of the office for two days to do last-minute checks.”

“How is it you get Greece, and I got snowy Scotland?” Joe muses.

“Hope I don’t return with the same souvenir you brought home the last time you visited Scotland.”

Artie laughs. “At least he didn’t bring home shortbread.”

“A surprise husband isnotbetter than biscuits,” I say. “But don’t tell Lachlan I said that.”

Artie mimes zipping his mouth, and Jed looks at him affectionately.

“Good,” Jed says. “So all is proceeding as planned. Will you be missing your trousers at the next wedding or just the shirt?”

Laughter fills the room, and I roll my eyes.

“It wouldn’t be the first time,” Joe muses.

Jed works his way around the table, addressing everyone’s schedule, making notes in his diary, and offering his usual astute observations and helpful advice. He’s very handsome and commanding, sitting by the window with the sun shining on his brown hair.

I remember the first time I met him. Stan and I attended a wedding of a friend of his Uncle Pat’s—which accounts for the wild events of that evening—and Jed had been there as a friend of the bride.

Jed had been sitting at the bar, with a palpable air of loneliness about him. Later, I discovered he’d just lost his husband. But at the time, I’d simply hated how sad he’d looked. I’d left Stan with his boyfriend at the time and sidled over to Jed.

Jed offered me a cautious glance when approached.

“I can’t help but notice—” I began.

He immediately interrupted. “I’m not interested.”

“Rude.” I smiled and leaned against the bar. “But I’ll cope with the crushing disappointment. Fucking a hot daddy is not on my agenda tonight.”

One eyebrow rose slowly. “Is it usually?”

I seesawed my hand. “It depends. Older men can be a teeny bit problematic.”

He reluctantly turned to face me. “I know I’m going to regret this for eternity, but why?”

I leaned closer. “Well, they’re either far too bossy or overly fixated on their ailments.”

His mouth twitched. “Ailments?”

“I had one older man who decided to spank me. I was just getting into it when the motion aggravated his old wrist strain. The emergency department on a Saturday night can never be classed as foreplay.”

He stared at me for a second and then started to laugh. It sounded rusty with a sad edge, and I’d just decided I wanted to make it happen again, when all hell burst loose amongst the wedding guests.

The two bridesmaids, who’d been competing for Pat’s attention all night, decided to end the evening with a spot of warfare. This took the form of high-pitched screaming, flying flowers, and cake splattering everywhere.

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