Daughters Of The Bride(102)

“Is it?” He laughed. “I think you’re attractive. That’s not a bad thing.”

“No.” It wasn’t, she told herself firmly. “It’s just I worry that’s all you like about me. I’m not going to look this way forever.”

“Of course not. You’ll get old.” He grinned. “Of course, there’s always plastic surgery.”

Sienna felt her eyes widen. “Excuse me? Did you just say that?” She started to rise.

David’s expression immediately turned contrite and he reached across the table to grab her forearm. “Sienna, I’m sorry. I was making a joke, but it was a bad one.” He released her. “I apologize. That was a terrible thing to say.”

She sank back into her seat but didn’t speak. The sting of his words lingered, as did her need to bolt. But she told herself to hear him out.

“Of course I love all of you,” he continued. “You’re smart and caring. That was what I noticed first about you. How much you care about the women you help. Please forgive me.”

She nodded because it was the right thing to do. And his apology had been exactly right. Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that the plastic surgery comment had been the most honest thing he’d said. But was that really true, or was she simply looking for an excuse to run?



There was nothing that took the edge off a day like the sound of margarita ingredients mixing in a good-quality blender. Courtney moved her hips in time with the music flowing out of her mother’s built-in speakers, then flipped the switch on the blender.

When Maggie had called for an impromptu girls’ night in at her place, Courtney had taken the invitation as a peace offering. She’d rearranged her schedule to be there. Rachel and Sienna had come, as well. Neil had gone to Los Angeles for a couple of days, so it was girls only. Probably for the last time until after the wedding.

She turned off the blender and poured the slushy mixture into four salt-rimmed glasses. Her mother took the first one and smiled at her. Courtney smiled back.

Yes, there were things to say. Maybe things that might never be said. Was it better to get everything in the open and deal with it? Probably, but so what? Every family had problems. To be honest, she could go her whole life without having to deal with who did what and when. Better to just accept there had been a problem and move on.

“I got takeout,” Maggie announced as they took seats around the island. “Mexican from Bill’s.”

“Appropriate.” Sienna took a long drink of her margarita. “Did you know that alcohol enhances the aging process?”

They all stared at her.

“That was cheerful,” Rachel told her. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. Better than fine, because you know what? If I start to look old, I can get plastic surgery.”

Courtney moved close and touched her sister’s arm. “What’s going on?”

For a second Sienna looked as if she was going to cry. Then she tossed her head. “Nothing. I’m fine. Just being weird. Ignore me.” She turned to their mother. “Let’s talk about the wedding. Mom, what’s new with that?”

Maggie grinned. “Well, there are a few things I can show you.”

“I want to see them all,” Sienna told her.

Maggie got up and hurried from the room. Rachel got a large bowl and dumped chips in it while Courtney collected the take-out containers of salsa and guacamole. By the time Maggie returned with a couple of boxes, they were passing the bowls along the island.

“I have sneakers,” she said, opening the first box. “I love the internet. Have I mentioned that? Did you know you can order custom sneakers on the Converse website and that they have special wedding ones?”

She held up a pair that were white and trimmed in pink. On the heel, one shoe said “Maggie” and the other said “Neil.”

“Too cute,” Rachel told her. “What else?”

Their mother showed them etched champagne glasses for the bride and groom, along with a custom garter.

“I’m not going to have Neil throw it,” she said, closing the box. “I’m a little old to be flashing that much thigh, but we’ll know it’s there and that’s what matters.” She looked at Courtney. “You’re doing a wonderful job with the wedding. Thank you for that, darling. It’s going to be an amazing day.”

“I think it is.” Courtney thought about mentioning Jill’s due date concerns, but when she’d told her mother about the change, Maggie had insisted on keeping Jill as her first choice for an officiate. So Courtney had found a backup minister.