I peer back at Cole with concern, and hecomes outside. “What’s wrong?
“You don’t think Luke should stay withyou? What if—” But I cut off the rest.
“Kate, I want him to go with you. I’mjust going to be here at the hotel. You aren’t.”
“All right. Just be safe.”
“I will, you too.”
“I will.”
I turn back to Luke. “Sorry.”
He smiles. “Not at all. It’s always apleasure with you around, Kate.”
“Hmm—if you say so. But I’m guessing it’smore than that; there’s never a dull moment when I’m around.”
“That too.”
A window on the first SUV rolls down andAnnie sticks her head out of it. “Come on already, we’ve been sitting here forfifteen minutes and now I need to pee again.”
I turn to Luke, “Lead the way.” He opensthe passenger seat of the second Escalade and I climb in to find only Laurawaiting for me. “Oh, hey.”
“Hey, I asked everyone if they wouldn’tmind riding in the other car so we could have some girl time. They all agreed.”
“Well, that was nice of them.”For achange.
“Uh—yeah, they didn’t really have anyroom to argue.”
“Did anyone say anything after I left?”
“Actually—oddly, no. Your mom tried totell Cole to let you be, but he didn’t listen and went after you. After that,the room got eerily quiet.”
“Oh.” Good. Maybe they all realized theywent too far. I rarely have outbursts like that around my family.
Laura sits back against her seat. “Forthe record, I thought this was a bad idea. The surprise, the wedding—all of it.Both your mom and Annie insisted, and they forbid me from calling you. I triedonce, but Ben stole my phone and wouldn’t give it back until I promised not totell you. I hadn’t planned on coming, but I found out your aunt and Jill werecoming and I decided I better tag along for support. In case you needed tovent.”
I rub my hands over my face. “Thanks, I’mglad you’re here. It’s going to be a long week.” I look over at Laura, whodoesn’t look like herself. “Are you sure everything’s okay? You don’t seem likeyourself.”
“You try riding with five women in aminivan for nine hours and see how you fare.”
“Oh yeah, I’m sorry. That had to havebeen torture. But is that everything?”
“No.” I watch Laura bite her lower lipand tears spill down her cheeks.
I scoot closer, wrapping an arm aroundher. “It’s okay.” This is a change for once. Someone else is crying.
“You’re not going to ask me what’swrong?” She sniffs.
I shake my head. “No. Take your time.When you’re ready for me to know, you’ll tell me.”
She gives me a tight hug. “Thanks Kate. Idon’t deserve a friend like you. But I want to tell you.”
“Okay.”
“Ben and I broke up again—for good.”
Anger burns through me. That dumb idiotbrother of mine. “I’m so sorry, Laura.”
