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“You can’t marry a guy because he’s good in bed.” It had been so long since she’d been to bed with anyone, good or otherwise, that she probably wasn’t the best judge of that either.
“That’s all you heard from what I said? It’s so much more than that. He’s perfect for me.”
After dealing with Sally, the alarm bells in Katie’s head were deafening. “No one is perfect. If he seems perfect, it’s either because he’s working hard to hide something, or that you haven’t been with him long enough to see his flaws. Remember Sam.”
“I just told you I’m getting married, and you have to mention Sam? Do you really think it’s good timing?”
“You adored Sam. And, by the way, you thought he was The One, right up until the point you discovered he’d slept with two of your friends.”
“People sometimes behave badly. It’s a fact of life.”
“You’re excusing him?”
“No, but we were at college. People go a little crazy at college.”
“He hurt you, Rosie. You cried so hard it triggered the worst asthma attack you’d ever had. I will never forget that crazy drive to Oxford. And lying to Mum, because you begged me not to tell her.” Her mother knew less than fifty percent of the things that had happened to Rosie since she’d left home. Sometimes Katie felt the burden of that. She saw the unfiltered version of Rosie’s life.
“I didn’t want to worry her. I’ve done more than enough of that in my lifetime.”
“And then there was—what was his name? James. He insisted you paid whenever you were together.”
“He didn’t have much money.”
“He was a leech.” She’d had to lend Rosie money, but she didn’t mention that. It wasn’t about money. It was about judgment.
“Dan is different.” Rosie was stubborn. “You’ll see it the moment you meet him.”
“Great. When can I meet him?” The sooner the better as far as she was concerned. Engagements could be broken, couldn’t they? Relationships ended all the time, particularly Rosie’s.
“That’s why I’m phoning. We’re getting married at Christmas, right here in Aspen. Can you think of anything more romantic? Blue skies and snow.”
“This Christmas? The Christmas that is happening in less than a month? Are you kidding me?”
“Why is everyone so surprised?”
“Because generally you’re given more than a few weeks notice for a wedding and you’ve only known him for a couple of months.” An image of Sally’s bruised, tear-drenched face slid into her brain. There were no signs. No clues. “Does Mum know?”
“I called her first. She was thrilled. So was Dad.”
Katie was fairly sure her mother would have had an anxiety attack. “What’s the hurry? Why not wait awhile?”
“Because we don’t want to wait! We want to do this as soon as possible. And I really want you to be there. But don’t bring the doom and gloom.”
“Sorry.” Katie swallowed. The last thing she wanted was to hurt her sister. “It’s been a tough few weeks at work, that’s all. Ignore me. Of course I’ll be at your wedding. You’re not only my sister, you’re my best friend. I wouldn’t miss it for anything. Forgive me.”
“There’s nothing to forgive. I know you’re looking out for me.” Rosie’s voice was soft and warm and her generous response made Katie feel worse.
Her sister’s capacity to forgive human frailty was both her strength and her weakness. It made her vulnerable to every loser and user that crossed her path.
Was Dan one of those?
“What’s the plan? Do I have to book somewhere to stay?” The thought of making travel plans drained the last of her energy. “What about Mum and Dad?”
“They’re coming, too, of course. And everything is arranged apart from your flight. Dan’s family own this amazing place in the mountains. It will be the best vacation you’ve ever had.”
Katie had been dreading Christmas. She’d been wondering how she was going to hold it together during all that family time. Usually she loved it. She loved sleeping late and eating her mother’s amazing food. She loved catching up with her dad and hearing about his work. But everything was different now. Her life had changed forever on a dark, rainy night a few weeks before.
And now she felt exhausted. Could she honestly fly to Aspen and put on a happy face?
