LITMIR.BIZ

       Two

      Kayleigh’s back stiffened and her heart beat in double time as she stared at the number on her phone.

      Kira was her ex-boyfriend’s younger sister. And during the three years she’d dated Aidan Brennan, she’d been closer to Kira than she was to her own sister. But they hadn’t spoken in years. What could she possibly want?

      Kayleigh considered not answering the phone. Maybe it was best if she just let it go to voice mail. Then she could listen to the message and answer later, preferably by text.

      The last time they’d spoken, Kira had been bitter and resentful. Kayleigh and Aidan had been together three years, and he’d started to hint at the possibility of marriage. But Kayleigh couldn’t imagine herself as a member of the Brennan family.

      Neither could their matriarch, Colleen Brennan.

      Aidan’s mother had told her, in no uncertain terms, that she’d merely tolerated their relationship as a phase Aidan needed to get out of his system. But she would never welcome Kayleigh into the Brennan family.

      Mrs. Brennan had told Kayleigh that if she really loved Aidan, she’d do what was best for everyone and end the relationship, before things got any more serious between them.

      Kayleigh had walked away. Not because his mother had asked her to, but because everything the woman said was true.

      Except for Kira and Aidan, who both loved her, everyone else in the Brennan clan had seemed irritated and uptight every time she had shown up at another of their family functions. More important, as much as she’d loved Aidan, she just hadn’t fit into his world.

      She hadn’t turned down his offer because she was intimidated by his mother; she’d done it because she’d genuinely believed it was in both their best interests.

      She’d explained her position to Aidan, but chosen not to disclose her talk with his mother. He’d been crushed by her decision to walk away, and so had his sister.

      So why was Kira calling her now?

      “Kayleigh? Is everything all right?” Parker’s voice was laced with what almost sounded like genuine concern.

      “Absolutely.” The last thing she wanted to do was reveal a chink in her armor to a shark like Parker Abbott. “And if you’re not willing to meet my number, the answer is still no.”

      “But, Kayleigh—”

      Her phone rang again. Kira.

      Panic gripped her chest. If Kira was so determined to reach her after all this time, there had to be a reason. Her brother had moved on. He’d found someone else. Someone more to Mrs. Brennan’s liking. They’d gotten married and had their first child all in the space of one year.

      But maybe Kira was calling because something had happened to her brother.

      “I need to take this call.” Kayleigh held up a finger. She turned her back to Parker and walked a few paces away.

      “Hello?”

      “Kayleigh! Thank God you answered! I hate leaving voice mails. I never know what to say, especially on an occasion like this.”

      Kira was still an energetic chatterbox. And even after all this time, she knew she didn’t need to identify herself. That Kayleigh would just know who she was.

      “It’s good to hear from you, Kira.” Kayleigh smiled. “Especially after the way we left things—”

      “I know... I was a stupid kid. I didn’t mean any of those awful things I said, but I was so hurt and angry. I know that’s no excuse, but—”

      “It’s okay, Kira. I realize how hard it must’ve been for you to understand why I did what I did.”

      “I do understand. Mother told me about the conversation she had with you after Aidan asked her for our grandmother’s wedding ring. I only wish you’d told us instead of just walking away.”

      “Does he know?” Kayleigh cast a glance over her shoulder at Parker, who was pacing the floor.

      He tapped on the face of his black Hermès watch with a double leather strap.

      Kayleigh considered holding up a different finger, but held up her index finger instead and dipped behind the curtain to her studio space in the back.

      “No. She wouldn’t have told me, but I figured it out from something she said when she was a little...shall we say tipsy? The next morning she begged me not to tell Aidan, and I caved. Mostly because I know how much it would hurt him. And about Aidan—”

      “I don’t want to talk about Aidan.” Kayleigh ran her fingers through her hair, probably making it look like even more of a crow’s nest than it already did. “What’s past is past.”

      “No problem. That isn’t why I called anyway.”

      “So why did you call? Not that I’m not glad to hear from you.”

      “First I want to apologize for my behavior and for what my mother did.”

      “Apology accepted.” Even if Kira was no longer in her life, it felt better knowing that the air between them had been cleared. “And what’s the other reason?”

      “To tell you that... I’m getting married!” Kira finished her sentence with a squeal. “Can you believe it?”

      “Oh honey, that’s wonderful news. I’m so happy for you.”

      “That’s not even the best part...” Kira took a dramatic pause. “I want you to be in my wedding!”

      “Me? Why?”

      “Because my fiancé has a ton of brothers, and I want my bridesmaids to be people who have been truly important in my life. Not just some random, distant cousin filling up a spot. Our relationship meant so much to me. I want you to be there to share my day.”

      Kayleigh hesitated for a moment. “Are you sure this isn’t just about pissing your mother off?”

      “Well, there’s that, too.” Kira laughed. “But seriously, you mean a lot to me, Kayleigh.”

      “And Aidan and his wife won’t be upset?”

      “I guarantee you that Aidan’s wife won’t raise any objections.” The humor was gone from her voice. “And neither will my brother. In fact I’m sure he’ll be glad to see you again.”

      “I don’t know, Kira. When’s the wedding?”

      “In two and a half months. And get this...my fiancé’s family owns a private island in the Caribbean. That’s where we’re getting married. And we’re flying everyone out for the entire week, all-expenses paid.”

      An all-expenses-paid vacation on an island in the Caribbean for an entire week? That was something to consider.

      “Kira, I’m honored that you’d ask me to be part of your wedding—”

      “Then you’ll do it? Awesome! Just text me the name of your plus-one and all the information my wedding coordinator will need to book your flights. You’re the best, Kayleigh. Bye!”

      Kira had ended the call before Kayleigh could tell her she’d think about it and that she most certainly didn’t have a plus-one.

      She scrubbed a hand across

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