Chapter 11
“Don’t listen to him. He’s just jealous of my good looks, that’s all.”
Archie
We’ve been back home for a couple of days now, and I’ve only seen Katherine once.
She was stepping out of the lift as I was getting in.
We greeted each other awkwardly—her smile quick, mine even quicker—and then went our separate ways.
It’s strange. Now that we’re back in our natural habitat, where we’re only used to hating each other, I’m not sure how we’re supposed to act.
But one thing’s for sure. The atmosphere between us did change in Uganda. Permanently.
Today is my brother’s wedding, and I’m glad we’re finally on the cusp of his nuptials.
My mum has been texting me every ten minutes for the past two days, reminding me not to be late and to bring everything I’m supposed to bring.
I always thought the bride was the one to look out for—bridezilla and all. But mumzilla is taking over today.
“Ah, there you are,” she greets me the moment I step into the barn they’ve rented for the ceremony, throwing her arms around me. The scent of her perfume hits my nose—something floral and calming, completely at odds with her current state. “Now I can relax.”
I arch an eyebrow but ultimately decide it’s best not to comment.
Instead, I look around. “This is beautiful, Mum. You did a great job.”
I was a bit skeptical when Noah announced they were getting married on a farm, but it actually looks amazing.
They hung fairy lights along the beams, tucked wildflowers in mismatched vases that line the aisle, and draped sheer fabric elegantly from the ceiling, softening the barn's rustic edges.
I can see the “British Countryside Chic” theme Mum was talking about now.
“Thank you.” She gives me a swift peck on the cheek, then smooths down her long, pale blue dress like it’s misbehaving. “I’m going to greet guests, but you should go find your brother. I’m sure he’ll want to see you.”
I turn around to ask where he’s hiding, but Mum has already drifted into conversation with a couple of older ladies in elaborate hats.
Since Grace lost both her parents, and we’ve known her since she was little, I guess Mum’s the only “parent” figure today.
Looking at it that way, her stress makes a little more sense.
It’s like she’s marrying off two of her kids at once—double the pressure.
I meander outside and cut across the gravel path toward the farm building.
The afternoon sun is sinking low in the sky, casting long, golden shadows across the fields as a light breeze stirs the tall grass.
I don’t even need to search for Noah—I can hear the deep laughter and booming voices of five hockey players pouring through the open door.
“Hey, you old fossil,” I say as I step into the room, grinning.
“Oh, I like him already.” One of the guys comes forward and claps me on the back like we’ve known each other forever. “James Adler. Nice to meet you.”
A smirk pulls at my lips. “I’ve heard of you. Welcome to England.”
“My brother, Archie,” Noah introduces half-heartedly, rolling his eyes. Although the effect of his prickly demeanor is somewhat diminished by the fact that he’s wearing a freaking tuxedo. “See? I told you I had experience with annoying little fa—”
“Yeah, yeah.” I wave a hand in dismissal. “Don’t listen to him. He’s just jealous of my good looks, that’s all.”
“Yet here, I’m the one getting married.”
“This is fun,” another guy chimes in while leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, clearly enjoying the show. He has the faintest French accent. “I’ve never heard Wally talk this much before.” He turns to me. “I’m Maxime Beaumont.”
We shake hands—firm grip, solid eye contact.
“Yeah, I’m afraid you guys will have to introduce yourselves,” I say. “My brother has lost his manners along with his goalie skills.”
A collective “oooh” goes around the room, and James says, “Shots fired!”
I just wink at Noah, who shakes his head. He knows I’m only stirring the pot. We’re brothers. And competitive athletes. It’s what we do.
Next, I meet their captain, Caleb Hawthorne, a tall guy with dark brown hair, Baptiste Marchand who just joined the team this year, and Aaron Miles, who sports a buzz cut and has arms like tree trunks.
It’s weird, meeting my brother’s teammates after all this time.
He doesn’t talk about them much, but now I can finally put faces to “the guys.” Noah has always been a bit of a loner and a grump, so I had my doubts when he claimed he had actual friends in the US.
But these blokes? They’re solid. They remind me of my own team—jabbing at each other, talking trash, swapping stories like they’ve known each other since birth. It may seem weird, but I’m happy to see that my brother has all that with his own team, and well, now he has Grace too.
I don’t know how long we stand around chatting and laughing, but eventually Mum appears at the door again, flapping her arms like she’s directing air traffic.
“We’re starting in five minutes!” she says, already halfway down the hallway before we can respond.
The hockey players peel off to find their women and take their seats, leaving Noah and me alone in the room.
“Nervous?” I ask, straightening my bow tie when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror.
He rakes a hand through his hair. “No. Just want to get this over with, you know?”
“Not really your style, huh?” I chuckle, patting his enormous shoulder.
Then, I sigh, shaking my head. “To be honest, when you told us you were getting married legally back in January and that you’d have a ceremony here in the UK, I didn’t believe it.
Thought it was the perfect scheme to avoid the whole shebang. ”
The corner of his lips twitch. “Well, that was the plan. But Grace…”
“Ah, yes.” I nod. “Now it all makes a bit more sense. Well, I’m glad you gave in. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have the privilege of roasting you at the reception.” I lean back against the wall, smirking.
He just shakes his head. “Fine. I’ll just have to get back at you at your wedding.”
I laugh. “I don’t even have a girlfriend, bro. Could be years before you get your chance.”
“I’m a patient man,” he says in that cool, collected tone I’ve always envied. I’m all energy and chaos when I talk—emotions on full display—but Noah has the uncanny ability to stay calm. Like nothing fazes him.
“Who knows if I’ll even have a wedding,” I say. “Maybe I’ll just elope.”
“You? Elope? Nah, you’re the guy who’d be arriving on a throne at his wedding or something. The actual definition of ‘whole shebang.’”
I wince, then cough out a laugh. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”
Someone knocks at the door.
“Time to go!” Mum’s voice rings out from the corridor.
I push off the wall. “All right. Let’s go get you married, then.”
We march into the barn, and the place is packed. Guests line the benches, laughing and chatting while throwing fleeting glances toward the barn door, not wanting to miss a second of the big moment. I wave at Finn. He’s seated toward the end, but his head sticks out since he’s taller than most.
Mum settles in the front row, all smiles, and gives Noah a thumbs-up.
That’s when the music starts. We all turn to the entrance of the barn, but it’s not Grace who steps in.
Instead, wearing a light pink dress and a glowing smile that practically illuminates the entire room is none other than Katherine Lennox.
She’s holding a bouquet to her chest, shuffling purposefully down the aisle, and she’s never looked more stunning.
A muffled laugh escapes me. “You have got to be kidding me.”
Kat must hear me, or maybe she just noticed my presence, because she stops dead in her tracks, staring at me like she’s just seen a ghost. Then, a small smile breaks through, and she starts walking again.
Noah glances at me. “What?”
“She’s my neighbour.”
“Wait,” he whispers. “The neighbour. The one you hate?”
“Hated,” I correct. “Haven’t had time to tell you the deets, but we kind of ended up in Africa together.”
He turns toward me with a confused frown. “What are you talking about? The volunteer trip you took? She was there?”
“Yep,” I add quickly. “Anyway, we’re good now.”
Katherine takes her place across from me, eyes dancing up to meet mine again. I shoot her a knowing grin. She subtly shakes her head, but her lips twitch like she’s trying not to laugh.
What are the odds, huh? Uganda, and now this? I’m a big believer in fate, and the plans of the Universe, and I’m pretty sure it’s trying to tell us something right now.