Page 54 of Forty, Flirty & Framed

The realization is both comforting and unsettling.

“Hey!Mr.Nothing’s Happening!”Alex's voice breaks through my thoughts."You're staring again."

“It’s called ‘drinking my bevy and ignoring you bawbags’.”I grunt again.“By the way, any of you seen Duncan?"

"Smooth subject change," Grayson notes."But yes, he's by the Chihuly sculpture with two board members."

I follow his gaze to where Duncan MacTavish stands holding court, his silver hair distinctive even at a distance."Perfect.Keep him occupied for ten minutes, then I need a casual introduction for Karina."

"Roger that," Connor says."But first, non-business matters.You're confirmed for the engagement party?Four weeks from tomorrow?"

"Of course."

"With a plus-one?"Grayson asks innocently.

I glare at him."Solo."

"Really?"Luke questions."Because I hear Fiona is already shopping for tartan fabric that would complement Ms.Peters' coloring."

I sigh.“My grandmother needs a hobby that isn't matchmaking.”

"Or she's seen what the rest of us see," Alex suggests.

"And what's that?"

"That you haven't looked at anyone the way you look at Karina since before you left for Scotland."

I open my mouth to protest, then close it.The simple observation cuts closer to truth than I'm comfortable admitting.

"It’s…not a simple thing to explain,” I finally say.

"It never is," Connor agrees."Until suddenly, it is."

"Very profound," I deadpan.

"He's engaged now," Grayson explains."Comes with philosophical superpowers."

"More like a financial incentive to justify the expense," Luke slides in."Wedding planning has rendered him temporarily insane."

"It's a pragmatic insanity," Connor defends."Speaking of which, you're giving a toast."

"I am?"

"Yes.We've already arranged the speaking order.You're after Alex but before Grayson."

"Why am I last?"Grayson protests.

"Because you cry," Alex, Connor, and Luke answer in unison.

“Jesus.A man finally starts expressing emotion appropriately, and suddenly he’s a crier.I’m writing this down on my ‘Screw You’ list.”Grayson sniffs.“At least I’m better at emoting than some stoic Scots.”

I drain my whisky."I'm going to find Karina and intercept Duncan.Try not to plan my wedding while I'm gone."

"Too late," Connor says cheerfully."Fiona's already booked Edinburgh Castle."

The sad part is…I can't tell if he's joking.

I navigate through the crowd, nodding at familiar faces but avoiding extended conversations.