Avril Tremayne - Here Comes the Bridesmaid

‘And could I have a Campari and soda while I wait for my friend?’

‘Fine,’ Leo said, irritated. ‘I’ll get one sent over.’

‘And—’

‘Good God, what else?’

‘Just that it’s Gary’s birthday. So if there’s a special dessert or something …?’

‘Yes. I. Will. Send. Out. A. Special. Dessert. Now, are you all right for socks and undies, or do you need me to get you some of those too?’

‘Actually, I never wear socks.’ Sunshine smiled serenely. ‘And I’m not wearing undies tonight—not under this dress!’

Leo could feel his eyes bug out of his head. ‘Thanks for that mental picture, Sunshine. Anything else you’d care to share?’

‘Well …’

‘Yeah, hold that thought,’ he said, and made a bolt for the kitchen. Where he leaned against the wall and burst out laughing.

His sous chef looked at him as if he’d grown a gigantic unicorn horn.

Clearly it had been a long time since he’d laughed.

Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Dedication Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Extract Copyright

Food is a great passion of mine—in fact I’m in love with about a dozen celebrity chefs. So I wasn’t exactly surprised to find myself becoming fixated on the idea of a chef as a hero … and Leo Quartermaine was born.

My other great passion is shoes. Oh, my goodness, the shoes ! So … hello, Sunshine Smart.

And, of course, I’m partial to a nice romantic wedding.

HERE COMES THE BRIDESMAID gave me a chance to combine all three things in a setting always irresistible to me—my hometown, Sydney—as best man Leo and bridesmaid Sunshine are put in charge of planning the perfect wedding for two absent grooms.

Leo is driven, grumpy and serious. Sunshine is quirky, perky and enthusiastic. They have different takes on love, on life, on relationships—not exactly the easiest working combination to plan a wedding reception. Add in an inconvenient sexual attraction, and things get even trickier.

But HERE COMES THE BRIDESMAID is more than a story about opposites attracting—although the clash of personalities in Sunshine and Leo’s case can lead to some eye-popping conversations! It’s also about being jolted out of your comfort zone and opening yourself to everything that’s in you, and finding the one you thought you’d never find—ready-or-not-here-I-come.

And there’s nothing quite as romantic as being taken by surprise by love.

I hope you enjoy HERE COMES THE BRIDESMAID.

Avril Tremayne

XXXX

Here Comes

the Bridesmaid

Avril Tremayne

www.millsandboon.co.uk

AVRIL TREMAYNEread Jane Eyre as a teenager and has been hooked on tales of passion and romance ever since. An opportunistic insomniac, she has been a lifelong crazy-mad reader, but she took the scenic route to becoming a writer—via gigs as diverse as shoe salesgirl, hot cross bun packer, teacher, and public relations executive. She has spent a good chunk of her life travelling, and has more favourite destinations than should be strictly allowable.

Avril is happily settled in her hometown of Sydney, Australia, where her husband and daughter try to keep her out of trouble—not always successfully. When she’s not writing or reading she can generally be found eating—although she does not cook!

Check out her website, www.avriltremayne.com, or follow her on Twitter, @AvrilTremayne, and Facebook, www.facebook.com/avril.tremayne

HERE COMES THE BRIDESMAID is Avril Tremayne’s debut book for Modern Tempted™!

This title is also available in eBook format from www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Dedicated, with thanks, to my husband and @KdeR for absolutely everything.

To the astute, eagle-eyed Americans, Lisa McNair Palmer and Melinda Wirth, for knowing what’s good and what’s definitely not.

To Lloyd Quartermaine - great guy, great name!

And to each and every one of my marriage-minded friends.

Contents

Cover

Introduction ‘And could I have a Campari and soda while I wait for my friend?’ ‘Fine,’ Leo said, irritated. ‘I’ll get one sent over.’ ‘And—’ ‘Good God, what else?’ ‘Just that it’s Gary’s birthday. So if there’s a special dessert or something …?’ ‘Yes. I. Will. Send. Out. A. Special. Dessert. Now, are you all right for socks and undies, or do you need me to get you some of those too?’ ‘Actually, I never wear socks.’ Sunshine smiled serenely. ‘And I’m not wearing undies tonight—not under this dress!’ Leo could feel his eyes bug out of his head. ‘Thanks for that mental picture, Sunshine. Anything else you’d care to share?’ ‘Well …’ ‘Yeah, hold that thought,’ he said, and made a bolt for the kitchen. Where he leaned against the wall and burst out laughing. His sous chef looked at him as if he’d grown a gigantic unicorn horn. Clearly it had been a long time since he’d laughed.

Dear Reader Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Dedication Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine Chapter Ten Chapter Eleven Chapter Twelve Extract Copyright Food is a great passion of mine—in fact I’m in love with about a dozen celebrity chefs. So I wasn’t exactly surprised to find myself becoming fixated on the idea of a chef as a hero … and Leo Quartermaine was born. My other great passion is shoes. Oh, my goodness, the shoes ! So … hello, Sunshine Smart. And, of course, I’m partial to a nice romantic wedding. HERE COMES THE BRIDESMAID gave me a chance to combine all three things in a setting always irresistible to me—my hometown, Sydney—as best man Leo and bridesmaid Sunshine are put in charge of planning the perfect wedding for two absent grooms. Leo is driven, grumpy and serious. Sunshine is quirky, perky and enthusiastic. They have different takes on love, on life, on relationships—not exactly the easiest working combination to plan a wedding reception. Add in an inconvenient sexual attraction, and things get even trickier. But HERE COMES THE BRIDESMAID is more than a story about opposites attracting—although the clash of personalities in Sunshine and Leo’s case can lead to some eye-popping conversations! It’s also about being jolted out of your comfort zone and opening yourself to everything that’s in you, and finding the one you thought you’d never find—ready-or-not-here-I-come. And there’s nothing quite as romantic as being taken by surprise by love. I hope you enjoy HERE COMES THE BRIDESMAID. Avril Tremayne XXXX

Title Page Here Comes the Bridesmaid Avril Tremayne www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author AVRIL TREMAYNE read Jane Eyre as a teenager and has been hooked on tales of passion and romance ever since. An opportunistic insomniac, she has been a lifelong crazy-mad reader, but she took the scenic route to becoming a writer—via gigs as diverse as shoe salesgirl, hot cross bun packer, teacher, and public relations executive. She has spent a good chunk of her life travelling, and has more favourite destinations than should be strictly allowable. Avril is happily settled in her hometown of Sydney, Australia, where her husband and daughter try to keep her out of trouble—not always successfully. When she’s not writing or reading she can generally be found eating—although she does not cook! Check out her website, www.avriltremayne.com , or follow her on Twitter, @AvrilTremayne , and Facebook, www.facebook.com/avril.tremayne HERE COMES THE BRIDESMAID is Avril Tremayne’s debut book for Modern Tempted™! This title is also available in eBook format from www.millsandboon.co.uk