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“To the happy couple.” Liv smiled, attempting to ignore the heat of Arran’s arm, which was stirring up heat in other parts of her body too. She dashed a quick glance at Elise, worried that the announcement of a wedding would elicit painful memories for her friend, who had been widowed the previous year. But she wasreassured by the smile on Elise’s face and the matching sparkle in her blue eyes.
“Tell us everything,” Elise said, leaning forward. “How did you propose?”
Maya and Sam gave each other a look that turned Liv’s heart into a pool of warm mush. She loved the two of them to bits. How lucky was she, her twin brother and best mate getting together?
Sam ran a hand through his hair. “I feel I’ve let womankind down, because it really wasn’t very romantic. We were out for dinner and started talking about the future. We both said we wanted to get married and it should be sooner rather than later.” He gave Maya a smile. “So Maya said we should get engaged and set a date, and I agreed.” His smile morphed into a grin. “And by agreed, I of course mean I nearly bit her hand off.”
Sam tugged her into his chest and kissed her forehead.
“Right,” Arran said, rubbing his hands together. “On to the most important part. What are we doing for the stag do?”
Liv raised her eyebrows. “Most important part?”
Elise laughed. “Yeah. Surely themostimportant part is the day our friends make a lifelong commitment to each other.”
Grinning, Liv shook her head. “No. I mean the hen do is more important than the stag.”
Arran laughed heartily, the sound of his low rumble creating a warmth in her chest. “Touché,” he said.
“Not to worry,” Sam said, smiling. “Those two events will be one and the same.”
“A combined hen and stag party?” Liv asked, her eyes widening. “That would be cool.”
Maya nodded. “We’re going to have a weekend away, with all of us.”
“Nice,” said Arran, leaning back and lifting his fizz. He strokedhis fingers down his stubble with a raised eyebrow. “Everything’s more fun when the ladies are around.”
Liv shot him a smile, which he reciprocated, and she found herself caught in it for a second, her heart flipping. Arran had the kind of smile that gave his eyes a glow, like a tumbler of whiskey sitting in the afternoon sun.
She turned toward Sam and Maya, who were on the other side of the table. “Pretty cool that I get to go on my bro’s stag. Gotta find me some dollar bills to slide into the panties of the hot strippers.”
Arran nearly spat out his mouthful of champagne, coughing in the process.
Liv turned to him, patting him on the back. “Oopsie. You’re meant to drink that stuff, not inhale it, sweet cheeks.”
He managed a laugh through his cough, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand as his gaze raked over her, giving her goose bumps. “The image of you stuffing cash into the underwear of naked dancing ladies distracted me.”
Something about the way he dragged his hand across his mouth did it for her. But then again, everything about him did it for her. She shoved that thought deep down into the basement of her mind, locking the imaginary cast-iron door, padlocking it, and drawing down a wooden plank to barricade it.
She sniffed, pursing her lips at him. “Don’t be such a prude.”
Maya leaned on the table to address Liv and Elise. “There’s something I need to ask you guys.” She paused to take a breath, seeming a little self-conscious. “Would you two be my best women?”
Liv’s mouth dropped open, joy rising in her chest. This day couldn’t get any better. “I’d love that.”
“Me too,” Elise said, her eyes shining. “Thank you.”
Sam nodded toward Arran. “I’ve already asked this arsehole to be my best man, along with Nico.”
Arran raised his eyebrow, lifting his glass toward Sam. “Watch it, Holland. Or I mightaccidentallymisplace the rings.”
Sam grinned, giving Arran a wink. “We’re evenly matched. Two best men, and two best women.”
Liv leaned her forearms on the table, excitement infusing her. “What do you need us to do?”
Maya swirled her champagne. “If you guys could organize the weekend away, that would be awesome. We’re hoping to have everything covered with planning the actual wedding; it’ll only be small anyway.”
Elise rummaged around in her handbag, bringing out a notebook with spring flowers and rainbows on the front. She flipped it open and pulled a sparkly pen from the elastic loop on the side. “Tell us your wish list and let’s get organizing right now.”
