Page 4 of Two Hearts' Subterfuge

Chapter Two

Who was he, Aylin wondered? Probably a guest, she decided as she shyly turned away. It was funny how she hadn’t been at all offended when she’d caught him staring at her. There was just something in his eyes that made her certain he simply found her attractive. She grinned because she’d been instantly attracted to him as well.

And she’d experienced an unfamiliar sensation when her heart had flipped over in her chest when his eyes met hers.

Tall, lean and rugged, he was some kind of athlete, she was sure, judging by the width of his shoulders. It looked like he was getting ready to either run or work out, she figured since her sister Desiree was a runner and would head out in any kind of weather.

She turned back to the bride. “Okay—are you ready to show yourself off?” Aylin asked before studying Camille again from head to toe. “Everyone’s out there with Rene, waiting to see the bride.”

Wearing a radiant smile, Camille slowly made her way into the boutique from the workroom.

And Aylin grinned, hearing the voices of everyone’s obvious approval as she followed Camille into the showroom.

Rene held up a staying hand when Aylin entered the room. “Before anyone thanks me, I wanted all of you to know that I can’t take any of the credit. Aylin was the one who came up with the redesign. I simply gave my advice when she asked for it.”

Aylin grinned, because everyone but her sister Desiree looked bemused.

“No one had any idea about your aspirations to become a fashion designer, did they?” Desiree asked, giving Aylin a side glance.

“No. Not at all,” Aylin agreed dryly.

They both began laughing as everyone else joined in.

“My little sister has been keeping secrets,” Desiree finally said, smiling widely as she gave Aylin a quick hug. “I’m so sorry I haven’t been able to be there for you like I used to be. Although you seem to have found your own way after we transformed that extra storage space at home into your work space and office with a little help from Emilie.”

“Don’t forget. You also bought me my first sewing machine and my start up supplies.” Aylin grinned. “It all kind of fell into place during junior high when I was taking home economics.”

Mom smiled, approaching Aylin. “Even after you won that impressive award at school for your design, I had no idea that you were so skilled, despite the sales you’ve been getting online.” Mom frowned, appearing genuinely concerned. “I’m so sorry, dear. I don’t think that I gave you enough recognition. I thought what you were doing was just a hobby you’d grow out of someday.”

Desiree pursed her lips. “What if Gray hadn’t pulled you from that worthless charter school that Ash had you enrolled in during grade school? I still can’t understand how he was able to take control of your life like that.”

Mom sighed, tears in her eyes. “It was my fault, Desiree. My life was so different when I was Aylin’s age. I grew up ina country where the oldest male made decisions for the entire family. Even though I was remarried to Joseph, and Aylin was his daughter, Ash insisted on sending Aylin to that boarding school. I couldn’t see the harm since the female students were mostly from Turkish families, so I allowed him to send her there, even though Joe wasn’t too excited about it. I thought it would be educational for her to learn a little about her heritage. Plus, Ash seemed to be having a tough time fitting in, so we wanted him to believe that his opinions mattered.”

Aylin’s father, Joseph Broussard, had lost his first wife to cancer. So not only did Aylin have two half-brothers, Ash and Beau, from Mom’s previous marriage, she also had another four siblings from her father’s. Alex, Gray and Rafe were her other three brothers, and Desiree was Aylin’s only sister.

“Don’t beat yourself up, Alara,” Desiree reassured her, wrapping an arm over her shoulders. “No one could truly understand the devastating influence your first husband’s family would have over Ash when he returned to Turkey for a visit.”

“I should have seen the signs,” Mom admitted. “I just wasn’t willing to believe that my own flesh and blood could be responsible for so much death and destruction.”

“I should have never brought this up today since this week is supposed to be a celebration, but I’m still kind of worried that we might not have seen the end of all the trouble since Ash is still on the loose.” Desiree sighed. “I only hope that Beau can be rehabilitated.”

“Me, too,” Alara replied, looking forlorn.

“He was such a sweet kid when you and Dad first got married,” Desiree said reassuringly.

“But he was always Ash’s follower, never a leader. He would do whatever Ash asked of him, no matter what it was,” Alara admitted, grimacing.

“Well, let’s hope that life will gain a sense of normality since we’ve started to put all the pieces of the plot against the Broussard family together. This Christmas is a time to celebrate,” Desiree muttered, giving Aylin an apologetic smile.

“What have you got in mind for the bridesmaids, Aylin?” Camille’s sister Emilie asked, standing from her chair. “I can’t wait to see.”

Aylin grinned as Rene nodded reassuringly. “Rene had a cancellation last Christmas. Let me go get one of the gowns along with drawings of the modifications that I made so you can tell me what you think.”

Emilie’s eyes went wide when she saw the deep red gown that Aylin carried out from the workroom. “What a beautiful color. And strangely complimentary to each of us.”

“That’s what I thought too. I’ll have to make a few modifications to the waistlines. Most of the ladies in the other wedding party were a little more on the curvy side,” Aylin admitted.

Emilie put her hands on her hips. “By any chance, is that a nice way of bringing up all the weight that I’ve lost?”

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