“How’s she doing?” Mallory looped her arm around Justine’s and tugged her back toward the stairs.
“She’s good. Still likes working for the company. But she got a new boss, so she’s not dealing with a jerk like I am.”
Mallory gave her a sympathetic squeeze. “That’s tough. I’m lucky Dad put me with a good team.” She leaned closer. “I think I’d lose it if I had to work under Angela.”
Justine chuckled. “Hard-ass Hanover’s oldest is a real chip off the block. I’ve heard thatsomany times before.”
“No kidding.” Mallory walked down with her. “I know you weren’t expecting Cal or Nick tonight. But honestly, I don’t think Mom’s trying to set you up. Dad had something come up today he was working on with the new guys, and then Angela mentioned inviting them to dinner.”
“Really?”
They stopped at the base of the steps. Mallory looked around, then admitted, “Well, that’s what Angela said, but I think Mom hinted to her at how nice it would be to have a big get-together tonight since you were coming. Um, you know, with more men at the table to round out us girls.”
Justine groaned.
Mallory quickly added, “Look, I get that you want to be alone. But I know you were bummed out when Mitch dumped you.”
Justine counted to ten in her head before repeating, “He didn’t dump me. I got tired of his crap and broke up with him.”
“Sure, sure.”
Obviously, no one believed the truth. But how could they when Mitch had been theperfectboyfriend? Successful, independent, handsome, smart. Adoctor.He never showed them the clingy side of his personality, the side that constantly demanded Justine be more and do more to makehimhappy, no matter whatshewanted. Life with Mitch was all about Mitch. Ugh. Talk about exhausting.
Mallory drew Justine toward the living area, where the ladies gathered after the meal. “Anyway, I really appreciate you helping out with the wedding.” There wasn’t that much for Justine to do since Mallory’s wedding planners, including their mother, hadeverything well in hand. Justine basically had to show up for a few pre and post nuptial events. “I’m so excited! Just one more month and I’ll be Mrs. Mallory Cochran.”
She hated to rain on her sister’s parade, but Justine had no idea what her sister saw in Ted other than a paycheck and dimples. He wasn’t bad looking, but he’d have to look like a virtual Adonis to make up for his wandering eye. She hadn’t been the only one he’d subtly come on to; she’d seen him flirt with several of the administration assistants at Ferrara-Hind, and even Katie once when they’d run into him in Queen Anne.
“You’re sure you’re ready to get married?” Justine asked. “You’re only a few years older than me. Still so young. And you could have any guy you wanted. You know that. Are you sure you’re ready to settle down with just one man?”
Mallory blushed. Odd that Justine had always felt protective of her older, more vulnerable sister. Such a sweetheart, yet so easy to manipulate. So very unlike their mother or Angela.
And me? Am I that easy to control? I did come to Sunday night dinner, and I know better.
Her Aunt Rosie popped in her mind with familiar advice.Relax, girl.Sometimes you just need to smile and mean it.
In her place, Aunt Rosie would have flirted with both Cal and Nick, made plans to take one if not both of them home, and enjoyed the dinner her parents had shared without missing a beat. Hmm. Maybe Aunt Rosie and Katie were right. Maybe Justine was a little too tense all the time, making problems where there didn’t need to be any. Dinner had been delicious andfree.And if the conversation and company hadn’t been all to her liking, no one had done anything inappropriate or rude.
She joined her mom and sisters in the living room, a lovely area decorated in pale creams with gold accents. The subtle flair of wealth, sophistication, and majesty didn’t so much calm heras she sat down but forced her to acknowledge a grand effort had been made to soothe and entertain, so she should stop resisting.
“I love the redesign, Mom.” Justine sipped at the cup of tea Angela handed her, though secretly she preferred the room’s previous blue tones.
Angela glanced around, her lips pursed. Justine’s oldest sister wore her hair up in a stylish updo and looked both elegant and professional, her black business suit and white blouse pristine, her black pumps gorgeous—and expensive. To go along with her pricey attire, her icy gaze looked more black than brown, Angela never less than 99% intense about life.
She raised a perfectly sculpted brow. “The redesign is gorgeous. Would Mom have it any other way?”
The girls laughed, their mother blushing with pleasure.
The family bonding, even though it felt a little stilted, was nice.
Then Angela ruined it by opening her big, fat mouth. “Before we get involved in the wedding plans, Justine, what do you think of Cal and Nick? They couldn’t take their eyes off you all through dinner. And I happen to know they’re both single and loaded.”
Their mother perked up. “I saw that too! Oh, Justine, honey. What do you think? You do need a date to the wedding, after all.”
Freakin’ Angela.
CHAPTER 6
Xavier sat across from his sister in the dining room while their mother kept flitting back and forth from the kitchen to the table.
