Always(Time for Love Book 4)(48)

“Hi. I’m Ash Payne. I’m here for the surprise engagement party for Darren and Brenna.”

The lady’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh dear. Did someone not tell you?”

“Tell me what?”

“There’s no party. It’s been cancelled.”

“Cancelled?”

“Yes... uh...”

“Sally? Who is it?” another woman said, appearing in the living room. Ash could easily tell this was Patty.

“Hello,” he said with a smile. “You must be Patty. I’m pleased to meet you. I’m Ash Payne.”

“Ash?”

He nodded. “I’m one of Brenna’s friends. Oh, and I’ve brought these flowers for you.”

“Oh, aren’t you sweet? Thank you so much. Please have a seat.”

“I’ll bring out some refreshments,” Sally said, disappearing to the back of the house.

“I hope it’s okay that I’m a little early,” he said conversationally. “It’s been such a long time since I’ve driven to this part of Sydney, and I wasn’t sure what the traffic was going to be like.”

“Did I hear you say you came for the engagement party?” Patty asked, looking at him in a funny way.

“Yes. It’s been cancelled?”

“You obviously haven’t spoken to Brenna,” Patty said, more to herself than to him.

“No,” he answered tentatively.

To his surprise, Patty reached for his hand. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered.

He frowned, not comprehending. “For what?”

“It’s all because of me,” Patty said.

He stared at Patty. Did she know that Brenna and Darren had only been faking it?

They heard the door open. It was Darren.

“Ash!” Darren said in surprise.

“Hi, Darren.”

“Ash turned up here for the, um, party,” Patty said.

“Oh. You haven’t talked to Bren?” Darren asked.

“We haven’t had the chance,” he said cautiously, aware that he had to watch his words in front of Patty.

“You do know that Darren and Brenna did it for me, don’t you, Ash?” Patty asked softly.

“Uh... yes,” he answered, although he didn’t know exactly what Patty was trying to say.

“Thank you, and I’m sorry,” Patty said, her eyes watering.

“Oh, Mum. Don’t start with the waterworks again,” Darren teased.

“I just want to make sure everyone’s okay and happy,” Patty said tremulously, looking at Ash with question in her eyes. “I heard you and Brenna had a fight.”

Relief burst with unexpected force within Ash. The pretense was over! When had it happened?

“I hope the two of you have sorted out your differences,” Patty continued, worried. “I can only imagine how hard it must have been for you to watch Brenna pretending to be in love again with her ex-boyfriend. I’d feel very insecure too, if I were in your shoes.”

“Don’t worry, Patty,” Ash said with a big smile, squeezing her hand. “I admit that for a while there I thought Bren and Darren got carried away with the pretense, and had decided to make it real. But Brenna set me straight. She’s still quite mad at me for thinking that. But we’ll be fine.”

“So you thought the engagement party was still on?” Darren asked.

“Yes. I wanted to show Bren that I trust her and support her with your plans. After my appalling behaviour, I wanted to make amends. I thought this was one of the ways I could make it up to her.”

“Oh, Ash,” Patty said, touched. “It’s a pity there’s no party. Brenna doesn’t get to see this gesture of yours.”

“Hey, all is not lost,” Darren said.





CHAPTER EIGHTEEN


Brenna arrived back at her apartment after having brunch with her parents. She hadn’t expected to be home until later in the afternoon, but she was grateful. She now had time to do her laundry and tidy up her place before she went to work tonight.

She sighed. She loved her work, but for a few weeks each year, it was a real drag.

Her phone rang.

“Hey, Darren,” she answered, wishing she didn’t get so nervous and hopeful every time he called.

“Hey, Bren. Are you busy? Could you come around to Mum’s right now?”

“Why?” she asked in alarm.

“It’s not a medical emergency, so don’t worry.”

She breathed a little easier. “I am a little busy right now. Can we make it some other day?”

“Unfortunately not. It’s important, Bren.”

“What’s it about?”

“I can’t tell you until you get here.”

“But your mum’s okay?” she asked suspiciously.

“Yes. But can you please get here as soon as you can?”

“Darren, you’re making me nervous. Why?”

“Trust me on this, Bren. Please.”

“The last time I trusted your judgement on something, we got into all sorts of trouble,” she reminded him.

“Well, this is part of fixing that.”

She frowned. “What do you mean?”