Page 29

“Sister, who is this?” she asked, a warm effervescent sort of smile lighting up her expression.

“Delilah, this is my girlfriend, Ali.”

Lizzie, who was mid-sip of her champagne, choked.

“Ali, this is my baby sister, Lilah,” Charlotte introduced, slipping her arm around Ali’s waist as the two shook hands.

Lizzie spluttered in the background, Sasha lifting a hand to pat her back.

“It’s nice to meet you, Lilah,” Ali said.

Lilah nodded. “It’s so good to meet you.” She turned to Charlotte, shoulders drooping and looking crestfallen. “You didn’t tell me you were seeing someone.”

Sensing tension, Ali jumped right in with her prefabricated story.

“It’s my fault. I wasn’t ready for anyone to know about my existence until Charlotte mentioned the engagement party. I thought it would be a good time to make an appearance.”

Huh, no lies detected… technically.

“Oh really?” Lilah’s countenance warmed as she perked back up. “That makes sense. We can be a lot at first. I’m glad you could make it to help us celebrate!”

Ali nodded, releasing a mental exhale at the dodged awkward situation.

Lilah pressed a kiss to Elizabeth and Sasha’s cheeks, wrapped Charlotte in another fierce hug, waved goodbye and floated away down the steps.

A silent conversation transpired between Charlotte and Lizzie as they exchanged an array of facial expressions and occasional gestures.

“You’ll have to forgive them,” Sasha interjected, shaking her head at the twins.

“Do they do this often?” Ali asked, watching with fascination.

“Oh, they moved beyond the need for speech in the womb.”

“Honestly, that’s fascinating and kinda beautiful.”

“So it is!” Charlotte butted in, waving goodbye to the engaged couple, and sweeping Ali away and down the steps onto the lawn.

“I take it Lizzie knows we aren’t actually together?” Ali whispered.

“Clever girl,” Charlotte murmured, winking again and making Ali’s stomach flutter.

They made it two steps onto the lawn when their attention was again diverted. Who could possibly be left to meet at this point? But all thoughts of being overwhelmed or tired vanished when Ali’s eyes landed on the figure.

“Good evening, Miss Davenport.”

Her voice was smooth. So, so smooth.

“Miss Hill,” Charlotte drawled, offering the newcomer a lopsided smile of greeting. “So good of you to come.”

The warmest, kindest eyes shimmered beneath thick lashes lined in gold. They took each other in and Ali struggled not to let her jaw fall open. It wasn’t so much her looks, which were striking, but the magnetic energy surrounding her. A yellow jumpsuit contrasted against sable skin. Hair smoothed up on both sides before springy coil curls exploded into a mohawk.

Who is this heavenly creature? Am I gawking? No, no, no, be cool McCarthy. Be cool!

“It’s good to finally meet you, Ali.”

“God, you are a vision. Who are you?” Ali babbled, heat climbing up her cheeks.

Uncool, McCarthy. Uncool.