She’d known Javiar and his family since she was about eight years old, when her mother went to work for his mother. She’d grown up alongside Javiar and his older brother, their families blending together easily. He’d always been there for her, like the brother she’d never had. Despite the fact that he was the clichéd tall, dark-haired and handsome, there’d never been anything romantic between them.
Javiar worked for his father as one of the real estate salespeople. He was charming and thorough—an excellent combination that led to his success. Two years ago he’d bought the small house they now shared. She’d moved into the second bedroom—an arrangement that worked for both of them. She got relatively cheap rent, and he had someone to hang out with. They divided the chores and the utilities.
Now he looked at her, frowning slightly. “What happened?” he asked. “It’s not bad. It’s...” He let the silence build.
She stared at him unable to believe he was being so insightful.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she hedged.
“Liar.”
She grinned and pulled the chain out of the V of her blouse. “Aaron proposed.” She waved the ring.
Javiar grinned as he rushed toward her and hugged her tight. “Good for you. He’s a lucky guy. You two are great together. Engaged.” He looked at the ring. “Nice. Big enough to be impressive, but not too over-the-top.”
She took it off the chain and slid it onto her ring finger. “I know, right? It’s perfect. I’m so happy. I was having a really crappy day, and in the middle of my rant, he proposed. It was magical.”
Javiar hugged her again. “Way to go, kid. I’m sure you’ll—” He took a step back. “Shit. What about Cindy? You haven’t told her. The world would have heard if you had. What are you going to do?”
Shannon stiffened, fighting a weird combination of guilt and defiance.
“It’s fine,” she murmured. “Aaron and I agreed that we’re not going to, you know, say anything for a while. She’s busy with planning her wedding, and we don’t want to detract from that.”
Javiar stared at her. “That is so much bullshit. You’re not going to be able to keep your engagement a secret. You two can barely go to the bathroom without wanting to share with eachother. How do you plan on not telling your mom that you’re engaged?”
“I haven’t figured out the details,” she admitted, then sank onto a barstool at the island. “Or any of it.” She looked at him. “Am I horrible for not wanting her to know? I mean I want to tell her, but there’s the whole double-wedding thing.”
She paused, hoping Javiar would laugh and tell her not to be silly. That her mom would never be serious about a double wedding.
“At least then I’d only have to wear a tux once. Better for me.”
“You look good in a tux.”
He smiled. “I know.” The smile faded. “You don’t have it in you to keep this from your mom.”
“And yet I’m going to try.” She sighed. “I don’t have a choice. As we speak, in my handbag is a brochure for some technical college. She’s suggesting I look into environmental horticulture, which almost makes sense, but then she circled something calledlogistics and supply chain management. I don’t even know what that is.”
“You got me, kid. Ask me about the upward trends in Culver City and I can quote numbers, dates and times, but logistics and supply chain management?” He shook his head. “Not my thing.”
“Mine either.” She stared at her ring. “Aaron did good.”
“He did. More important, he makes you happy, so I won’t have to kill him. A win-win for both of us.”
“You wouldn’t kill for me.”
He gave her a quick hug and kissed the top of her head. “Probably not, but I’d threaten. You’re my only sister. Part of my job is to look out for you.”
“Thank you. I love you, too.” She waved her fingers at him. “When are you going to find someone you want to give a ring to?”
She expected his usualI’m not ready to settle downcomment, but Javiar surprised her by shrugging.
“I don’t know. I wouldn’t mind finding the right woman.”
“Really?” She drew out the word. “Oh, that’s fun. Can I start looking for you?”
“No.”
“But what if I find someone amazing?”
