Dream Wedding(111)

Her voice trailed off. She fingered the front of her costume. “I think this is going to work, don’t you?”

As subject changes went, it wasn’t a very smooth one. Cassie knew what her sister had been about to say. “You just wish I would break up with Joel.”

Chloe drew in a deep breath. Her mouth twisted down on one side. “You’ve tried to explain it to me a dozen times and I still don’t understand what you see in him. Yes, he’s very nice and he’s honest and hardworking, but Cass, you could do so much better. You’re bright and funny, you care.” Her tone softened. “I want you to find a man who understands that you’re an amazing prize and that he’s lucky as hell to have you. Not some guy who thinks of you as little more than a housekeeper and broodmare.”

“You’re not being fair to Joel,” Cassie said, but her reply was automatic. She was too conflicted about her feelings to try and explain them to her sister.

“Does he make you laugh?” Chloe asked. “Does he make your heart beat faster just by walking in the room? Does he have a certain way of looking or smiling or have a phrase that makes you realize that if you never heard it again or saw it that you would just die?” She caught her sister’s gaze. “Do you think about spending the rest of your life with him and know, deep down in your heart, that if something happened to him, you would be happier being alone rather than trying to find someone else?”

Cassie dropped the pins onto the table and sank into a chair. “I don’t know,” she said quietly. “I just don’t know anymore. I wish I could tell you yes to all of those questions, but I can’t.”

Chloe took the chair next to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“I’m not upset, I’m confused. I used to be sure. I thought that Joel was exactly right for me, but something’s different. I don’t know if it’s him or me or circumstances.” She looked at her sister. She had to know. Of all the people in the world, she knew that Chloe would tell her the truth.

“Is passion real?” she asked. “Is it like in books and movies? Can it really sweep you away until you can’t imagine anything else ever being so wonderful?”

Chloe stared at her for a long time. Finally she nodded. “It’s exactly like that.”

Cassie hadn’t realized she was holding her breath until she released it. “I was afraid of that.” Her shoulders slumped forward. If passion was real, then she and Joel were doing something very wrong. Maybe they weren’t right for each other or meant to be together. As much as she wanted to believe otherwise, she doubted it was suddenly going to flare between them. So she had to decide if she could live her life without experiencing that kind of fire, or if she had to leave the security of the only man she’d ever dated.

“You have to be sure,” Chloe told her. “It’s been nine years, so it’s not going to hurt if you wait a little longer until you get engaged to Joel, but please promise me you won’t settle. If you think it over and believe in your heart that Joel is the man who is going to make you happy for the rest of your life, then I swear I’ll be the sweetest sister-in-law ever. But don’t make a mistake. Marriage is tough enough, even with love.”

Cassie looked at her sister, at the affection and concern on Chloe’s face. “I appreciate the kind words and the fact that you worry about me. You’re the best sister ever.”

“I know,” Chloe said and laughed. She stood up and put her hands on her hips. “Enough of this emotional nonsense. Let’s get this costume finished.”

“Absolutely.” Cassie picked up the pins and went back to work.

“How’s Ryan doing with Sasha?” Chloe asked as she raised her arms so Cassie could pin the front panel to the sleeves.

“Better. Obviously it’s going to take time, but our talk went really well. He seems to intuitively understand how Sasha needs him. They’re spending more time together. He joins us for breakfast, he’s reading to her before she goes to bed. Considering their shaky start, I’m impressed. Ryan’s a quick study and the situation is helped by the fact that he’s bright and has a great sense of humor. All important factors for good parenting. Plus, he’s kind. He makes me feel like part of the family.”

Cassie finished pinning and stepped back. The top and bottom of the costume were unfinished, but there was definitely a crocodile-like shape to the strips of yellow and white down the front. “Maybe a clock,” she said, half to herself as she eyed her sister. “Hadn’t the crocodile in Peter Pan swallowed a clock? We could make the face of a clock out of fabric and sew it on in front. Or maybe you could find a pocket watch somewhere. There’s always…” Her voice trailed off as she realized her sister was staring at her.