Maggie swooned, her hand to her heart. “They are SO cute! You won’t believe it when you see them.”
“For a quickie wedding, you went to a lot of trouble. Should have let me help you. I kinda plan events for a living, you know.”
“You are helping me by being there.” She took another bite of cake and let out a little ooh. “I’m so glad you’re bringing a date!”
A woman she had seen before but never met appeared at their table with a pitcher of water. “Hello, ladies.”
“Lea,” Maggie said, “do you remember my sister, Lacy?”
Lea’s smile faltered. “I, yes, I think maybe I do.”
Lacy tried to ignore that, though she didn’t remember Lea all that much either. She held out her hand. “Nice to see you, Lea. I recognized you some, but it’s been a long while.”
“Yes, it has. Nice to see you as well!” Gently she swished her hair back and forth. “Maggie’s my hairstylist now for life, by the way.”
“Girl!” Maggie slapped the table. “Thanks to you I have a full-fledged business. I appreciate you so much!”
Lea laughed. “I’m glad you’re marrying Luke and staying put. Have you gotten any bites yet on your family home?”
Lacy frowned. “The house isn’t for sale.”
“Oh, no?” Lea pressed her lips together and nodded. “Good news then. I could’ve sworn hearing that you were selling. Ms. Mcafee too. Would be an end of an era around here if that all happened.”
“May I ask … where you heard that?” Lea frowned and looked off into space. Her eyes perked. “Oh. Right. Trent’s mother—the realtor—she said something about it. She hardly ever sets foot in here—says it’s too girlie for her taste. Whatever. Anyway, she’s probably going to represent my aunt’s property, too.”
“In Colibri?” Lacy asked.
“Yeah. Actually, my grandmother owned the place and she left it to my mother and aunt. Since my mother passed, my aunt controls those decisions now. Technically, my sister and I will receive our mother’s portion—if and when she decides to sell.”
“You have deep roots here, then,” Lacy said.
Lea nodded. “Truly, I do.”
Maggie sat back. “You guys are stressing me out! C’mon, it’s my wedding eve. I don’t want to talk about that—that annoying woman.”
Lea laughed. “I don’t blame you. Hey, by the way, what time should I bring your cake to the restaurant? Brooke will be up early to frost it and she asked me to bring it to you, but I have an appointment in the afternoon. Just want to make sure I get it to you on time.”
“Oh!” Maggie said, “Thanks for the reminder—”
“Tsk, tsk.” Lacy shook her head. “I said you should have let me handle this.”
“Fine, Ms. Know-It-All! Can you meet Lea at the restaurant after the ceremony and make sure that the cake gets set up properly?”
Lacy offered her sister a salute. “Yes, ma’am.”
Maggie turned to Lea. “See what I have to put up with from my middle sister? No respect, I tell you.”
Lea turned to go, but stopped. “I’m jealous of you both. My sister hasn’t spoken with me in years. I love that you two are there for each other.”
When she left, Maggie became misty-eyed.
Lean squinted at her. “Oh come on. Don’t get like that.”
“Why not?” Maggie grabbed her napkin roughly and blew her nose with it. “We were almost like that, you and I. Not to mention Grace and Bella … and Jake.”
“What are you talking about? We’ve never not spoken to each other.”
“No, but we’ve been at odds. We’ve given each other the silent treatment at times, maybe not on purpose, but in our pursuits.”
Lacy looked away briefly. She sighed. “And secrets.”
“Yeah.”
Maggie sounded sad and that was twelve shades of wrong on her wedding eve. Admittedly, Lacy was the least emotional of the group, but she wasn’t about to let this be the focus of their conversation.
“Mags, I want you to know that I am very, very happy for you. And I’m sorry that you and Luke were apart all these years. I also believe that the best is yet to come.”
Inexplicably, Maggie sobbed now. She jumped up from her chair and lunged at Lacy, bear hugging her without any regard to the scene she was making.
“I believe that for you, too!” she said into Lacy’s hair.
“For heaven’s sake.” Lacy laughed, self-consciously as she pulled away from Maggie. “Stop crying. You cannot cry the night before your wedding!”
“Oh Lacy! I’m just so happy.” She sniffled and sat back down. “I am seriously so happy you are here right now. And I meant what I said.”
“What’s that?”
“I hope that for you, the best is yet to come.”
Lacy nodded, silently hoping for the same.
Finn unwrapped the garment bag Helene had overnighted to him. For this trip west, he had brought extremes: formal suit wear and shorts and tees. He hadn’t expected to be invited to a wedding, especially not to one where impressing his date—and her family—was everything.
He suddenly felt all of sixteen, instead of thirty-nine.
The Brunello Cuccinelli linen blazer paired with Italian fit trousers would be perfect. Fine styling but lightweight for summer. He would have to give Helene a raise.
His phone rang. Adrian.
“Hello, little brother.”
Hi yourself, boss.”
Finn smiled at the easy way they spoke to each other when working. He only wished that same comfortable way could transfer to their personal lives. For some reason, they had each kept their lives exceedingly private. It was something they had learned from their father, who had not told them his cancer was in an advanced stage. They learned that two days before they lost him.
“To what do I owe this pleasure?”
“I was calling to follow up on my sales manager’s tour of the area. Has she assisted you as I hoped?”
“She has. To be honest, I did not originally see the purpose of my coming out here, but the personal tour has made all the difference.” Finn chose his words carefully. He was planning to probe more about Adrian’s feelings for Lacy, if there were any. Even if there were, did it matter considering she didn’t return them?
Another thought dragged him down, a hollow ache in his gut. What had Lillian been implying about Rafael and Lacy? Surely that had been nothing but rumor.
Adrian broke into his thoughts. “That’s good news! Have you found a property?”
Finn blinked slowly, turning his thoughts to the moment. In reality, he was not quite ready to answer that question. He had an idea, but it was in its early stages, more questions needed answering. Besides, he rarely revealed his plans—even to family. Maybe he was more like his brother than he once thought.
“There are possibilities,” he said.
“Ah. Good. I knew Lacy could help you. She’s a tough one, but she knows her stuff.”
Finn chuckled.
“Of course, you were the one that spotted that about her when you recruited her right out of that trade show. I was only the lucky recipient of her charms.” He paused. “Tell me about the area.”
Finn stiffened. “Colibri?”
“Yes. I’ve noticed a change in Lacy and I’m wondering if, perhaps, the salt air has brought that on. I know you are there purely for business, but have you found other benefits from living near the sea?”
Loaded question. Finn was a through-and-through city guy. Until recently, he could not imagine life without the smell of the bustle, the cufflinks and French collars, the city lights after dark. He thought of Lacy, though, and smiled. “Yes, I have,” he said. “Life is slower here.”
“And you like that?” His brother sounded unconvinced.
“It’s new.”
Adrian laughed. “You’d tire of it, I’m sure. Shoot, if you’re singing its praises, maybe I should go out there for some R & R soon.”
; Finn’s smile dimmed. Was his brother’s heart acting up again?
Adrian continued. “Seriously, though, I’ve been thinking about Lacy …”
Me too, brother. Me too.
“And I think you should consider her for a property out there, should you find the right place to build. She would be the perfect person to run that resort.”
Finn grew pensive. Adrian mentioned that he might like to come to California for rest and now he’s suggesting Lacy to run the new property? Was he thinking long-term about her? About them? He had to squelch these musings of his brother, carefully and quickly.
“Back up,” Finn said. “Are you saying that you’d rather not turn over the Vegas property to Lacy?”
“I’m not saying that—she would make a fine director of sales and marketing. Just a minute.” Finn could hear Adrian addressing someone in the background. He came back on the line. “You still there?”
“I am.”
“Good. All I was saying is that you need to consider how much she knows about the west coast. She probably has more contacts out there than she does here. She certainly has the interest, based on the way she sounds whenever I’ve called her.”
Finn sat on the fainting couch by the window. “Listen, Adrian, I want to talk to you more about Lacy—”
“I do as well, but I gotta go. A client is in the waiting area to talk about holding a massive writers conference here, a big move from their last place. I don’t want him to run.”
“This is important.”
Silence. “Proceed.”
“Adrian, do you have personal feelings for Lacy?”
“I like Lacy very much.”
“I see. Have you told her how you feel?”
“What’re you talking about? Has she been complaining about me? I gave her a nice review and a small raise—is she asking you for more?”
“That’s not what I am referring to and I think—I believe you know that. Let me rephrase: Are you in love with Lacy?”
A long silence ensued. Then laughter, boiling over. “What—who gave you that idea? Did—wait, does Lacy have a thing for me?”
“No, nothing like that.” Relief came like a puncture from a helium balloon. Finn dropped his chin, his forehead landing in the cradle of his palm. He had been mistaken about Adrian’s feelings, apparently wrong enough to send his brother into convulsive laughter.
“Phew. That’s a relief!” His brother chortled, the sound of it like that cartoon rooster Foghorn Leghorn. “Not like it would be a surprise or anything. I am quite the catch you know.”
“Oh I know.”
“I’m sure HR will be thrilled to know that my sales manager and I are not carrying on. In all seriousness, while Lacy and I aren’t involved in any way, I would have to be completely self-absorbed not to notice how men look at her.” He laughed again. “Rumor has it more than one client has slipped his number into her hands.”
Finn stood abruptly. “That’s enough.”
“You’re the one who brought it up. All I’m saying is she’s a looker, no doubt.”
“Fine. Great. Let’s move on.”
“Yes, sir, boss.”
“Have you suddenly become a child? Why the attitude? I asked you a simple question that required a straight answer. I am not asking for any further commentary.”
“Be obedient to the boss. Got it. Anything more before I go and try to save a client for you, my liege?”
“Goodbye, Adrian.”
With a click, he was gone. Finn stared at the phone. He should have been thrilled. He was, at least as far as his brother’s feelings for Lacy were concerned. If he were to pursue her, he would not have to worry about doing to Adrian what Brad had done to him.
Then why the tumult in his gut? Was it simply Adrian’s sorry attitude and the way they had left the call? Maybe. Finn checked the time and sighed. He’d have to get a move on if he was going to make it to the wedding on time. Lacy was already with her sister, helping with her dress. He swung a look back at the attire hanging in his closet, waiting for him. He only hoped that the clothes he wore would be enough to camouflage his current state of mind.
Seven
“Maggie, you’re beautiful.”
“You say that like you’re surprised.”
Lacy’s mouth fell open and she frowned. “Wow. Do I really seem that mean to you?”
“No, honey. You’re not mean, just opinionated.”
“Like you’re not.”
“Maybe there’s attitude in our genes.” Maggie laughed. “I think I’m a little nervous.”
“About what?” Lacy fussed with the folds in Maggie’s dress. “For heaven’s sake, you’ve been mooning over this boy—this man, actually—for years and now you’re finally about to marry him!”
“See? That’s the usual Lacy.” She groaned. “It’s just that everyone thinks that being the first born means I’m an extrovert, but it’s so not true. I’m literally nervous about saying my vows in front of Luke’s mother and Wren—oh, and Daisy and Jake.” She fanned herself with a handkerchief. “This came on all of a sudden. Isn’t that dumb?”
“Not really.” Frankly, that kind of attention would make Lacy cringe too. “But I know you love the guy. Maybe you should be like the runaway bride and go off by yourselves on some hill with only the preacher to hear you.”
Maggie clapped. “Yes! Or out to the shoreline!”
Lacy smiled, her mind suddenly carrying her to that favorite spot on the hill, the secret place that she had run to as a kid.
Maggie snapped her fingers. “Earth to Lacy. Where did your mind go? You’re smiling like you’ve got a secret.”
“Sorry.” She could have lied and said she was thinking about work, but how would that look on her sister’s wedding day? “I was just picturing you and Luke getting married out on the beach in bare feet.” So maybe she still lied. A little.
“Ooh, but then I wouldn’t get to wear these sparkly shoes!” Maggie scooped up a pair of jewel-encrusted flip-flops and dangled them from her fingers.
“Those are seriously cool.” Lacy ran a finger along the sparkling jewels. “And I’m not just saying that to be nice.”
“Trust me. I know!” Maggie laughed heartily now. “Aw, Lacy, thanks for being here. I’m feeling more relaxed already.”
Just wait, Lacy thought.
Maggie snapped her fingers. “Oh! Don’t forget about the cake. Lea promised me she would have it to the restaurant, but not until right before it’s time to walk over.”
“No problem. I’ll meet with her and make sure everything is all set up for when you and lover boy walk through those doors.”
Maggie held splayed palms against her chest. “You’re my favorite sister—but if you tell the others, I’ll call you a liar.”
“No doubt.”
In the background, they heard the doorbell ring and various shoes traipsing across the home’s wooden floors. Lacy took a peek at the clock on the nightstand and realized Finn would be here soon. Or maybe he had arrived along with the others. A small tumble through her stomach told her—she had it bad for him. When was the last time her middle did a somersault at the thought of seeing a particular man?
Maggie stood and sashayed over to the full-length mirror leaned up against the wall. She smoothed her manicured hands down the beading of the dress, smiling.
“You done good,” Lacy said, admiring the dress. “Ready to go and get hitched?”
Maggie nodded. A tiny squeal escaped her and she took Lacy’s hand and squeezed it.
Lacy squeezed it back. “Listen, I’m going to check on Eva and Siena again and make sure they are in position. You still have about twenty minutes. I’ll make sure your guests are here and that Luke hasn’t run off to some surf competition somewhere—”
“Don’t even kid about that!”
Lacy stepped out of the bedroom, laughter rolling from her. She came across Luke first. “Ready for my sister?” she quipped.
“Couldn’t be
more ready,” he said.
“Where are the girls?”
Luke pointed to the back deck of the house where the wedding would take place. “They are outside impatiently waiting to become official.”
“That’s the sweetest thing I’ve heard today. Well, other than your fiancee going on and on about you in there.”
Luke laughed. “Wish I could have listened in.”
“Something tells me you’ll be hearing all about it soon enough.”
Luke chuckled. “Hope you’re right.”
Lacy gave his cheek a little slap. “I’ll go check on the girls and make sure everyone is seated.”
“Appreciate it. I’ll check in with Zack and make sure he plays the wedding march and not something else from his playlist.” Zack was a teenaged regular at Luke’s surf shop and he played guitar, apparently.
“Good thinking.” Lacy made her way through Luke’s charming beach house and out onto the deck where guests were quietly milling about. Thankfully this deck was about ten times the size of the one at the Morelli house, big enough to hold both the wedding party and the extra guests who had joined in.
“Lacy!” Bella practically flew into her sister’s embrace, a fluffy Pomeranian nestled in the crook of one arm.
Lacy held her forefinger to her mouth, fighting not to fall off her heels. “Shh!”
“Okay,” Bella stage whispered, barely able to conceal her laughter. “I’m so excited to be here! Do you think Maggie suspects anything?”
“No way.”
Grace flounced over, her hunky husband Chase following closely behind. “Congrats on being able to keep a secret.” Grace pulled Lacy into a hug, her growing stomach wedging itself between them. When she pulled back, she held onto her sister’s hands. “You look amazing, by the way.”
Lacy had chosen a floral midi dress in mauve, the fabric sheer in places. She paired it with a pair of strappy heels—the tallest ones she owned. Finn towered over her anyway, so she figured, why not?
“Thank you, Grace. You look … healthy.”
Grace cracked up. “You always did have a way with words—not.”
“Hi, sis.” Chase leaned down and gave Lacy a kiss on the cheek.
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