Tall, Dark & Hungry(79)

When she kept her head ducked and said nothing, Kate patted her hand reassuringly. "It will all work out, cousin. Trust me. There will be things for you two to work out too before it does, but…"

Terri glanced up, noting the way Kate was staring off into the distance. There was a worried look in her eyes and she bit her lip. "What kind of things?"

Kate's eyes jumped back to her with a start. She'd obviously been far away. Now she got an evasive look on her face and concentrated on collecting tissue and string to make another flower. "You'll find out. It will be okay."

"Tell me," Terri insisted, but Kate shook her head.

"I can't. He has to do it."

Terri stared, anxiety crowding in on her. What could Bastien have to tell her that "they would have to sort out"? Suddenly, she wasn't as nervous that he might love her back, as she was about the fact that there was some secret that could be a problem and come between them. She had known this relationship was too good to be true.

"Don't look so miserable," Kate said with a grin. "We'll see them both tomorrow."

"We will?" Terri forgot about Bastien's possible secret and glanced over eagerly.

"Well, of course we will. It's Sunday."

Terri blinked, not seeing the connection. "So? It's Sunday."

"The wedding rehearsal is tomorrow," Kate explained. Then she frowned. "Oh, maybe I forgot to mention that to you. Originally, I didn't think you'd be here for it. We were going to have it without you, then take you by the church the night before the wedding to get a look and have a quick run through. But now you'll be here for both the rehearsal and dinner. Lucern and I are taking everyone out to dinner afterward."

Terri nodded happily and ducked her head back to the flower she was making. She'd see Bastien tomorrow! Just the thought of seeing him caused a tingle of excitement in her. And nervousness. They hadn't really talked since the relationship had changed. First, there had been the need to take Chris to the hospital, and when they'd returned she'd collapsed from sheer exhaustion. Then, today, Bastien had woken her up in such a lovely manner, after which they'd slept again and then she'd decided to wake him up the same way—only Kate and Lucern had interrupted.

They hadn't really got a chance to talk, and Terri found herself anxious and nervous with Kate and Lucern around. She felt awkward, unsure how she was supposed to behave with Bastien in front of them. Were they boyfriend and girlfriend now? Did people even use those terms now a days, and at her age? And did she have the right to touch Bastien, kiss him, hug him in front of others?

Terri was naturally affectionate, but she found herself stifling that tendency—at least with regards to Bastien in front of Kate and Lucern—because she didn't know where she stood with Bastien. And she knew she would still feel that way tomorrow unless he gave her some indicator. If Bastien greeted her with an affectionate kiss and hug, or put his arm around her, or took her hand, then she would feel free to allow her natural affection to show.

And why hadn't he done so in front of Kate and Lucern? Terri wondered as she tossed another finished flower in a box. He had held her hand and kissed her in public the day of the trip to the museum. But that had been in front of strangers. Bastien had taken her hand to lead her out of the hospital this morning, too. But that had only been in front of Vincent. He hadn't done anything of the sort in front of Kate and Lucern.

Perhaps he didn't want them to know what had happened between them. That seemed a good possibility. After Kate's reaction over the phone, when she'd learned that Bastien was taking Terri around the city those first couple of days, it was possible that if Terri and Bastien acted openly affectionate and revealed how far their "friendship" had gone, the woman might start making wedding plans. She was already leaning that way, and that was a lot of pressure. Especially from a new sister-in-law. It could make things a bit uncomfortable for Bastien. Especially if he was considering this just a casual relationship. Which was more than possible. They'd only met a week ago.

Terri picked up the string and began to measure out a length. It might be best to keep what had happened just between them. She didn't really want to, though. She'd rather be able to be herself; but she didn't want him feeling uncomfortable. Terri decided she would just play it by ear. If he greeted her tomorrow as just the cousin of his soon to be sister-in-law, she would respond accordingly. If Bastien greeted her with a kiss and hug or something like that, Terri would respond in kind. The ball was in his court.



"Thanks, brother."

Lucern grimaced. "I don't want this any more than you do."