Passionless.
“You’re impossible. Couldn’t keep your hands to yourself for one day?” Luna has no pity for her brother, and the groom scowls back at her.
“It’s an outdated tradition.”
“Whatever. Mrs. Herbert will forget about it the second the ceremony starts. Stop pouting.” Luna grabs her brother by theshoulders and maneuvers him into the proper position under the archway. “Now stand there and don’t mess anything up.”
“What would I mess up?”
Before the siblings can really get into it, there’s a purposeful, rising note from the band, indicating that everyone needs to shut the hell up. The gathering goes quiet as we all turn our attention to the house.
The doors open, and Mr. Herbert steps through first, tall and intimidating in his all-black suit. Most of the time, that much dark, stiff clothing in New Orleans would be torture, but the day holds a comfortable coolness that we all appreciate. Pumpkin trots at his side, the brindle pit bull wearing a collar of flowers that matches the floral arrangements. Mr. Herbert unhooks the dog’s leash, and I let out a short whistle my friend taught me. As Pumpkin bounds down the aisle toward me, petals someone must have sprinkled on her back flutter to the ground.
A four-legged flower girl.
The small crowd coos and claps, and I pull a bacon treat and a short leash from my pocket. Most brides only want someone to hold their bouquet. Paige asked that I also hold her fur baby.
Ginny Herbert appears next, decked out in a floral gown. She pauses beside her husband, and a moment later, their daughter joins them.
Paige hovers between the pair, beauty personified.
The impressive thing is, her grace doesn’t come from the flowing dress or expertly styled hair or professional makeup. Instead, every bit of her radiance glows from her smile.
Everyone in attendance knows this woman has no doubt in her mind. Paige gives an excited wave in Dash’s direction as she glides down the aisle. I glance at the groom. Dash stands tall, biting his lip as a tear tracks down his cheek while he watches Paige float toward him.
Luna reaches a hand forward, surreptitiously passing her brother a tissue, which he accepts without looking away from the vision of the woman he loves. As Luna retracts her hand, our eyes catch.
Five bucks, she mouths with a triumphant grin.
CHAPTER 12
LUNA
After Paige reaches her spot beside Dash, I have trouble paying attention to the rest of the service. Not because I’m bored, but because their love is distracting. The way the woman stares at my brother, as if he’s the sole root of all her joy, is both impossible to look away from and hard to watch.
Could I ever love somebody like that?
Even if that is a possibility, I don’t have time to go searching for the perfect person to spend the rest of my life with.
I need a husband right now.
A quarter of a million dollars.
Mike’s quote still has my mouth going dry and heart pounding hard. According to my uncle, Leo brings in such regular product that the business would take a hit if my brother were to walk out. But Mike would let my twin go for the price of $250,000.
I have money in my savings, but nowhere near that.
Unless I count my grandmother’s inheritance.
Wai Po’s money would more than cover that amount. But only if I get married before I’m thirty.
Well, married and a few other things. There were more stipulations the lawyer didn’t bother to read after my dismissing that first crucial requirement.
Leo’s face flashes in my mind. His hopeless expression when I told him about Dash’s wedding.
Our little brother is speaking heartfelt vows to the woman he loves, and Leo is missing it because he can’t get out from under Mike’s thumb. Can’t imagine a future where he’s not living a criminal life.
But I could secure his freedom.
