Read Online Last-Minute Bridesmaid by Nina Harrington - Free Book Online Page B

and his mum was still around. That was eleven years ago, Saskia. We’ve both changed more than we could ever have imagined.’
    ‘Um. Something tells me that he hasn’t changed that much—he’s still the same charmer underneath those executive suits.’
    ‘I’m not so sure,’ Kate sniffed. ‘You heard what Amber said last night. Heath has been through an awful lot in the past ten years. First his mum’s death, then his dad’s love life, not to mention taking on a complete part of the family business on his own. That’s a lot of weight for anyone to carry.’
    ‘This is a wedding, Kate, not a business conference. You’re going to have a great time.’
    Kate opened her mouth, ready to agree with what Saskia had said, but all she could see in her head was that tension behind his smile. He was hiding something.
    ‘Maybe. Maybe not. I’ll let you know more on Monday.’
    ‘Your studio. Ten a.m.—I’ll bring the chocolate cake.’
    ‘You’re on.’ Kate smiled. ‘But I really should get ready, because it has to be almost ten by now.’
    ‘Ten? Make that half ten.’
    ‘What!’ Kate replied and leapt to her feet. ‘Why didn’t you warn me? You know that my nana’s old watch runs slow. And Heath is bound to be punctual. Oh, no! I need to do something with my hair. And shoes. I need shoes. Saskia!’
    ‘Slow down. You’re all packed and lovely. I checked your case and you have clean underwear and “kiss me until I die” shoes. All ready and waiting in the hallway. You are going to have a fantastic time! Now, you go upstairs and get sorted and I’ll guard the...’
    She hadn’t even finished speaking when the front doorbell sounded and the clock in the hall chimed the half hour.
    Kate didn’t wait to reply and shot past Saskia, who was on her feet and strolling to the door. As Kate pulled on white capri trousers, a white and navy blue striped sailor top and navy lace-up shoes, she could hear Saskia chatting to someone and she peeked out of the corner of her bedroom curtains.
    Blood rushed to her head.
    A long slick black limousine was parked half on the pavement and half on the street in her narrow side road, which had been designed for the width of two horses pulling carriages.
    She couldn’t travel in a limo! And what would the neighbours think?
    Oh, no — too late. The antique dealer who had the shop next door was already outside and peering into the shaded windows. Any minute now some uniformed chauffeur with a peaked cap was going to step out from the driver’s side and wave a sub-machine gun around.
    Well, good luck with that. Because his shop was full of tat and had one customer a week. If he was lucky.
    Still. It was going to be weird having a new neighbour after twelve years.
    And he did order six pairs of cream fine suede gloves every Christmas.
    Kate sniffed. She hated change. It was so unsettling. Why couldn’t things stay the same? Steady. Calm. After the chaos of her day job, it was actually quite nice to come home to her version of stability every night.
    ‘Kate!’ Saskia hissed from over her shoulder. ‘Stop gawping out of the window and get yourself down here pronto. Otherwise Heath is going to be sitting in your parlour. There isn’t room for a hunk that size in your kitchen and I can’t leave him standing at the door much longer.’
    ‘Don’t you dare, Elwood!’ Kate cried out and jumped off the bed. ‘That parlour is my sacred space. No boys or any other type of person allowed.’
    ‘Then move.’ Saskia grinned, then started fanning herself with one hand. ‘You’re keeping the hot millionaire publisher and his limo waiting.’ Her laugh escaped with a loud snort and she ducked and grabbed Kate’s huge shoulder bag and took off down to the hallway.
    ‘Oh, thanks. That is just what I need to put me at ease,’ Kate huffed and tugged on a cut-off navy cotton jacket with gold buttons and epaulets. A navy and white silk scarf. Mother-of-pearl sarong clip to keep it all