Page 94 of Primary Seduction
She jumped down again. “Why? You’ve never dropped me yet!” She turned to Trent. “You must be my new brother.” She grabbed Trent and hugged him, whispering something in his ear. Trent nodded and smiled at her.
“Nice to meet you, Olivia. And thank you for the painting you sent. It’s amazing.”
She waved her hand. “Bleurgh! Livvy, please. I’m not stuck up like ‘those people at home,’” she effected a posh voice with her final words. “And you’re welcome.”
They all laughed. “I love you, little sis,” Max said.
“Love you too. Now where are my nieces?”
Trent chuckled. “You are going to get on so well with my daughters. They’re over there.” He pointed to the head table.
They welcomed more and more people until Crush was almost bursting. One final person shocked Max because he’d never received an answer.
“Kieren!”
“Hey, Max. Long time, no see.” Kieren held his hand out for a shake, but Max pulled him in for a hug.
“Jesus, I didn’t think you’d come.”
“I wasn’t sure if I would be able to make it, so I didn’t want to say yes or no and disappoint you.”
“You wouldn’t have. I would’ve saved a seat regardless. Wow. I’m so glad you’re here. Trent, this is Kieren. Kieren, Trent.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you,” Trent said, shaking Kieren’s hand. Max expected jealousy, but he couldn’t see any in Trent’s posture.
“You, too, though I’ve been out of touch a bit over the last few months. Congratulations.”
“Thanks.” Trent looked over his shoulder. “You’re the last, so let me go sort out a seat for you.”
“No, don’t—”
“It’s non-negotiable. I’ll be back in a minute.” Trent wandered off, and Max watched, smiling.
“You’re happy.”
Max turned to Kieren. “I am.”
“Is he good for you?” The inflection in his tone made it clear what “good” Kieren referred to.
“Very.”
Kieren nodded.
Trent returned. “I’ve sat you with Max’s sister Charlotte if that’s okay? There was a seat next to her for her husband, who didn’t come.”
“Great, thank you.”
They watched as Kieren went off to find his seat. As Max looked around the room, he wrapped his arm around Trent’s waist. All their friends and family together under one roof. What more could he ask for?
Two hours later, it was hard not to notice the interaction between Charlotte and Kieren. Max was unsure what it was, but they seemed to know each other already, and they were having what seemed to be a heated discussion.
“Are you okay?” Trent asked him, making him tear his eyes away.
“Yeah.” He looked back at Charlotte just in time to see Kieren take her hand under the table. He frowned. He’d have to speak with Charlotte later.
“Time for the speeches,” Tom called. Max smiled as Logan stood up to start the ball rolling.
Logan cleared his throat. “I remember when…” and they were regaled with the mishaps and mayhem of several of Trent’s past indiscretions, much to his embarrassment and humour. Zak and Sean had stood up for him jointly since they understood about Sean’s panic attacks and enjoyed embarrassing him too.
Then Janie had stood up next to Tom and had been handed the microphone. “Uncle Trent, Uncle Max, you’re the best, and I have something for you.” She gave the microphone back to Tom and received something in return. She walked towards them as quickly as she could without running, then stood in front of their table, holding out a red heart. Max’s eyes teared up at the sight of the red heart decorated with their names, identical to the ones that were already pinned up on the noticeboard beside the bar. Charlie and Josh had been the first the receive a heart, then Tom and Ginny had added to it. As couples found their true love, hearts were added. And now, it was their turn.
This was turning out to be the best day ever.
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