Page 32 of Sins of the Father

I pull my wedding rings out of the zippered pouch and stare at them.

After these are gone, there’s nothing left.

You’re going to have to settle and go back to practicing law.

I throw the rings back into the pocket and put on my heels. I leave the bedroom and go into Quinn’s.

“Oh...wow.” I tear up.

She wears a white formfitting wedding gown and a long veil over her strawberry-blonde hair, which hangs in loose curls.

Piper, Charlotte, Vivian, and her mom are in the room.

“Doesn’t she look amazing?” Charlotte beams.

I hug her. “You look beautiful.”

Happiness radiates from her. “So do you. I love your dress.”

“Yes, it’s gorgeous,” Vivian says. The other women agree.

“Thank you. You all look great, too.”

Cathy enters the room with Hope and my other sisters Laurie and Tonya.

“Aww. Look how cute she is,” Quinn squeals. Hope has a white lace dress on and white ballet flats.

Cathy hands Hope to Quinn.

“Hey, sweet girl,” she says and kisses her.

There’s a knock, and I spin.

Holy...oh Lord, help me.

Steven is in a black tux. It fits his body as if it was custom-made.

Heat rises to my face, and the air in my lungs thickens. My heart races so fast, I wonder if I’m having a heart attack.

His blue eyes lock on mine. His deep voice only makes my body ache further. “You ladies look gorgeous.”

I quickly turn to Quinn, smile, and softly clap my hands. “Come here, sweet girl.”

Hope smiles, coos, and reaches for me.

At least Hope always wants me.

She hugs me tight, and I use it to try and regulate my breathing.

“You look beautiful, Quinn,” Steven tells her, and I continue to avoid him. “We better go, or you’ll be late.”

One by one, everyone leaves the room. I finally turn, and Steven is the only one left.

“You’re stunning.”

Flutters erupt in my belly, but I remind myself he’s only being polite.

Don’t be nasty to him. You have to deal with him this next week while watching Hope.

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