Daughters Of The Bride(45)

“Who?”

“No one.”

Rachel simply waited. Courtney had never been able to hold out long. Back when they’d been younger and Courtney had done something wrong, Rachel had simply asked the question, then stayed quiet. After a few seconds, the truth would come rushing out.

“Fine,” her sister grumbled. “It’s not anything. I mean there’s nothing going on, except maybe...” She cleared her throat. “Quinn is interesting.”

“Quinn? Joyce’s Quinn? Are you insane?”

Courtney pushed away her waffles. “This is you being supportive?”

“What? Sorry. No. You’re adorable and he would be lucky to have you. As for him being attracted to you, of course he would be. You’re pretty and sweet and innocent. My concern isn’t that you’re not his type, it’s that you totally are and he’s going to chew you up and spit you out.”

“That was a visual I could have lived without. You think he’s dangerous?”

“Not like a psychopath, but he’s very experienced. There have been actresses and models and who knows who else. I would worry that he would have all the power and that’s not right. You need to be the one in charge.”

Rachel was afraid she was saying it all wrong. “Courtney, I love you. You’re my sister. I don’t want him hurting you.”

“I don’t think I’m at risk. Honestly, I’m not going to fall for him. That would be ridiculous. I was thinking more along the lines of using him for sex.”

Her baby sister was all grown-up, Rachel thought. “I’m impressed. I wouldn’t have the guts. If that’s how you feel, you should go for it. You deserve a hot guy in your life, and Quinn is surely all that. Go for it, then.”

Courtney laughed. “I just might have to.”



Monday morning Sienna found herself just as unsettled and disbelieving as she had been Saturday night. She couldn’t really be engaged, could she? Maybe it had never happened. Maybe the whole night had been a nightmare. Maybe David had been drunk and would forget.

They’d stayed to the very end of the party, then David had taken her home. Of course, he’d wanted to stay the night. She’d been forced to fake both her excitement at his company and later her orgasm. He’d fallen asleep after, murmuring he would love her forever.

Sunday morning God had shown a little mercy by causing a crisis with some airplane part. David had rushed off to the office and not been able to get away until hours and hours later. By then he was exhausted and wanted only to sleep. Of course, she’d understood.

Now she sat at her desk and wondered what she was going to do. Everything had happened so fast. She felt confused and trapped. Not a happy combination.

It wasn’t that she didn’t like David. Of course she did. He was smart and kind and he was crazy about her. On paper, they made a great couple. She knew he would never decide she wasn’t good enough, the way Hugh had. But married? She couldn’t see it happening.

They would talk, she decided. Calmly, over dinner at her place. He’d probably let the romance of the engagement party sweep him away. Maybe he was having second thoughts, too. They could wait a few weeks, then quietly end things. It would be best for everyone.

Kailie, one of the volunteer staff members, walked in with a huge bouquet of flowers.

“These were just delivered for you,” she said eagerly. “They’re beautiful.” The teen grinned. “Someone’s trying to get on your good side.”

A rock dropped into Sienna’s stomach. A big, heavy rock. She reached for the card.

We are so excited to welcome you to the family. I’ve always wanted a daughter and now we’ll have you. Much love, Linda and David Sr.

Sienna was grateful she was sitting down. Otherwise, she would have fallen. Of course, hitting her head might not be so bad. Maybe she could get amnesia.

“They’re from David’s parents,” she whispered. “He told them.”

“About the engagement? That is so cool.” Kailie dropped her gaze to Sienna’s hand. “Why aren’t you wearing the ring?”

Sienna thought about the old-fashioned setting and did her best not to shudder. It wasn’t that she didn’t treasure old things. Nearly everything she owned had been purchased at the thrift store. It was that his grandmother’s ring had been hideous. A heavy, badly made design that only emphasized the tininess of the diamond. It had also been about two sizes too small.

“It was his grandmother’s ring,” she said, hoping she sounded more cheerful than she felt. “It didn’t fit. He’s taking it to a jeweler.”