The wedding venue was exquisite. No expense had been spared but it didn’t look like some events which screamed money and no taste. This one was understated but glamorous. He could see Emily’s personality coming out. He stared out of the floor to ceiling windows onto the exquisite gardens outside. He could picture his mam asking the gardeners for advice on growing such amazing flowers. His mam loved gardening even though her own backyard was only slightly bigger than a postage stamp. He wished his parents would let him buy them a bigger house in Dublin.

Declan Malone sipped champagne, looking around at all the smiling couples, who seemed to glide rather than walk around the gardens, champagne glasses in hand. He spotted Emily talking to various guests. She had looked stunning when she walked over the small bridge to reach the garden fountains where Conor had been waiting for her. The expression on both their faces had quite a few ladies in tears. He’d even spotted the odd gentlemen having to squeeze their eyes shut quickly to keep the tears at bay.

What was it about weddings? Everyone at them seemed to be head over heels in love, as though one couple’s feelings could amplify those of everyone around them. With one exception. Him.

Lord if anyone could read his mind, they would think he was jealous of Conor. He wasn’t. Conor had been his best friend for years and he was thrilled he and Emily had found each other. Conor and his extraordinary ability to find and develop investment opportunities was part of the reason for Declan’s financial success. There were plenty of wealthy actors in Hollywood but few billionaires.

Maybe he was a little bit jealous. He had never been close to getting married. His relationships, if you could call them that, barely lasted a month. He had a hard time believing girls wanted him, rather than his bank account. Before he had become famous, no girl had looked twice at him.

“Least you could do is look happy for me, Dec.”

Startled, Declan glanced at his friend. “I am Conor. Emily is a lovely girl.”

“But…”

Declan looked his friend in the face. “I don’t know. I just…I guess I’m bored—not at your party—but just, you know, in general,” he admitted. That was it. There was no excitement in his life. After working so hard for years, now what should he do? He had achieved his goal. He was one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood. But it didn’t give him what he thought it would.

Conor’s loud laugh attracted a lot of attention.

“Sorry Dec, but you’re living the dream. Your movies are so hot, they sign you for the next one before the last one has been filmed.”

“You’re exaggerating.”

“Only slightly. You have more money than you know what to do with. It’s a far cry from where you grew up in Dublin and you know it.”

“I know and I should be grateful. It’s all I ever dreamed of. When I was a kid, I never thought I would be at a billionaire’s wedding, sipping champagne.”

“You need a real woman to share your life. Not one of those starlets who seem to hang off your arm at every outing. A girl like Emily. Someone who has her own focus in life.”

Where was he going to find a girl like that? It wasn’t like he could walk into a bar and meet someone. Everywhere he went he was recognized.

“That was some story with Adam wasn’t it?” Declan asked looking around the room, his eyes lighting up when they landed on Emily. “I can’t believe your brothers have kicked him out of the band.”

He didn’t want to think about his brothers. The Malones, born and bred in one of the most notorious areas in Dublin, had all done well. Seamus, Luke, Nathan and the youngest, Adam, were in a rock band touring all over the world. They had come so far from the tiny two bedroom house they had been born in. But Adam leaving the band under a cloud had caused a rift in the family. Although Declan loved all his siblings, Adam and himself had always shared a close bond.

“Come on Dec, Adam will be fine. The boys will be too. Having a new drummer seems to have put some spice back into them, but don’t tell Adam I said that. Now come on and show the room how the Irish love to party. Emily knows lots of girls.”

“Like Carrie?”

“See, you are still alive.” Conor’s eyes fizzed with merriment. “Although if you touch Carrie, Steven is likely to have something to say about that.”

Dec couldn’t help flinching. He’d known Steven for a couple of years. He was a great bloke, but not someone you would want to mess with.

“Dec, if you don’t find a woman to dance with and start enjoying yourself, I’ll find you someone.”

Dec wasn’t listening to Conor anymore. His gaze had caught that of a lovely young woman. She was tall and thin but in a healthy way, not the stick insect model type usually surrounding him. Her long, wavy hair hung loose around her shoulders, casual yet elegant at the same time. She looked uncomfortable, as if she wished she were anywhere else but there. She did seem to return his smile before turning away.

“Conor, who’s that?” Declan discretely pointed out the raven-haired woman.

“I think her name is Zoe. She’s either a nurse or a friend of Kathy, the head nurse at Flower Meadows. Gertie will know.”

“Gertie…that’s Emily’s grandmother, right?”

“Yes. She’s the opinionated, volatile woman who adores me,” Conor joked. “To think I once described her as a frail little old lady.”

Declan didn’t comment. He was intrigued by the woman, not just because she was good looking. He found himself wanting to know more about her.

“Can you get me an introduction?”

“No can do. My missus is calling me.”

“Under the thumb already. What will the boys say?” Declan teased.

“They can say what they like.” Conor clapped Declan on the back and disappeared, leaving Conor trying to locate the woman who’d caught his attention.