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“I'm more than happy to jump through whatever hoops you throw at me, Victoria. Penny's worth it.”
She brought her manicured hand to her lips like she'd just witnessed a miracle. “Rich, handsome, and romantic. I can already tell this one's a keeper.”
“Victoria!” Penny pleaded, biting her lip. I was used to seeing her bite her lip and feeling a swell of desire in me. This time, I felt her anxiety. Her longing for us to get along.
As badly as I wanted to take the bride down a peg or two, I knew that would just put Penny in the middle. I chiseled a smile onto my face. “This whole occasion, from the ceremony to the reception, is beautiful.” It was the truth. The garden was breathtaking with flowers that turned the air into something exotic and alluring. Everything from the string quartet, to the vases, to the waitstaff and ushers that anticipated your needs before your lips parted, created a smooth ceremony from start to finish. And even though we were ducking out a little early, we weren't fleeing a train wreck—though if her sister glared at me any harder, she'd put me six feet under. “You'll have to give me your planner's name. For future reference.”
Penny went slack beside me and when I looked over at her, she looked stunned. Her eyes were wide as she pieced together what I’d said, then a smile brightened her face.
“So now you're planning your wedding to my sister?” Victoria soured the moment.
I knew that my nonchalance and kindness were just annoying her since she was itching for a fight, but I couldn't help myself. “I could see it happening. I thought you'd be happy considering yours will clearly light up the society pages. Quartets, VIP guest list-”
“Speaking of guests!” Her lips curved at the sides but it wasn't a smile. It was all teeth, like a lion that was about to devour its prey. “There's one person on the guest list that I think you've met. Hold on one sec!”
She whipped her train behind her like a bullfighter, and Penny and I exchanged looks.
“Xander,” Penny began with a wince. “I am so sorry.”
I turned to her, sweeping a curl from her eyes. “You don't have anything to apologize for. Your sister has already made up her mind about me. Short of discovering the cure for cancer, I'd bet on her not asking me to be godfather to her perfect children.”
She laughed at that, the sun returning to her face. God, I loved her.
“Did you mean what you said?” she asked softly.
“Hm?”
“That you want the planner for future reference. That you and me-”
“Xander?”
The voice came at me like a sucker punch to the jaw. I let go of Penny, whirling toward it like I was leaning into the blow.
It didn't lessen the surprise that echoed over me like an earthquake.
Victoria was standing there with a smug look on her face. She hadn't said my name. She said my name like a curse.
Jenna said my name like she’d said it a million times before. Like a sigh.
The messy bun was gone, replaced by a pixie cut that made her girlish grin that much more intense as she rushed toward me. Her blue dress swam like an ocean as she threw her arms around my neck.
I didn't return the hug, too stunned. Not feeling. Not breathing.
“Penny, I want you to meet Jenna Wells,” her sister said smoothly. “Xander’s girlfriend.”
~
