Page 155 of Counting On You

“So?”

I roll my eyes, mostly because Gracie won’t get it. “He has a penthouse. A big company that makes gazillions a year. He’s been voted sexiest bachelor of California, and this is just a tiny bit of the information I could find on Google. He’s out of physical rehab now. He’s probably back to his old ways.”

She shakes her head. “He’s not. He wants you.”

I laugh again. She’s no naïve it’s almost painful. “You’re being ridiculous.”

“Look.” She hesitates, choosing her words. “He wouldn’t be here if he didn’t care for you. I can’t tell him to leave.”

“Why not?”

“Because I can’t stand seeing you like this. I love you, sis, but you’ve been a pain in the ass. Besides, I want my nephew to know his father. Now, where’s that photographer?”

I watch Gracie as she picks up her champagne flute and takes a sip. With dismay I realize she’s enjoying playing matchmaker. I should have known my attempts at persuading her to understand my position were going to be a waste of time.

“Things might not work out between you and him,” Gracie says. “But maybe they will. You’ll never know until you two talk.” She smiles. “If I have to drag you out there by myself, then so be it. Now stop arguing with me or I’ll uninvite you to my wedding.”

“You can’t do that. I’m already here.”

“For which I’m grateful, but push me. Or you’ll get to watch from the window. Mom, Jason, and you are the most important people in my life. I’m not going to stand here and do nothing while you let your stupid pride ruin your chance at finding happiness.” She glowers at me, which she always does when she’s trying to get her point across. “Now, I want you to go out there and bare your soul. You’ll tell him how you feel about him. And we both know you’ll do as I ask because I’m the bride, and you want to see me happy.”

“That’s so—”

Someone knocks at the door, interrupting my chance to tell her that even though she’s the bride she can’t demand those kinds of things.

I stare at her, ignoring the strong need to shake some sense into her.

“Love you, too, sis.” Gracie laughs and then shouts, “Come in!”

The door opens, and Kristy steps in with a bunch of people in her wake, taking up all the space with her bubbly personality.

Kade’s here, and there’s no way I’ll be able to avoid him.

That’s all I can think about.

Storming out, I head straight for my old bedroom because it’s the only place where I feel like I’m not going insane.

I’m not going to miss the wedding, obviously. But I don’t have the courage to face him just yet.

I’ll do it today, in public, with lots of people around us. Maybe he won’t even notice me…or my very pregnant belly.

Oh, who am I kidding?

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