Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95816 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
“Is she okay?” I asked.
She stepped closer. “Thanks to you, she is.”
“Good.”
“How can I say thank you?” she whispered. “How do I apologize, express my gratitude, and ask you for a second chance all at the same time?” Her lips trembled. “I’m so sorry, Ashley. I’ve been terrible and—”
I cut her off, moving from Luc’s embrace. I stood in front of her, knowing what I said or did would set the tone going forward. I felt a rush of emotion as I looked at the vulnerable woman in front of me. My sister. I felt her fear and sorrow. Her hesitancy. I knew if I rejected her or was cold, we didn’t have a chance.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Richard and Katy step onto the deck, looking anxious.
Richard’s words drifted through my head. “We have do-overs in this family.”
I held out my hand. “Hello, Gracie. I’m—” I swallowed “—I’m your half sister, Ashley. It’s nice to meet you. I hope we can be friends.”
She looked at my hand, then, ignoring it, stepped forward, and flung her arms around my neck. I had to bend a little to hug her back. She was small but strong, her grip tight.
“The best,” she vowed fiercely. “The very best.”
EPILOGUE
A FEW MONTHS LATER
ASHLEY
My phone rang, and I smiled as I picked it up.
“Luc,” I answered. “Hello.”
“Hey, love. Listen, I got invited to a dinner on Friday. I checked your schedule, and you have no events. Will you come with me?”
“Of course,” I replied. “Where is it?”
He chuckled. “Of all places, the winery.”
I laughed with him. “Shoreline? Great.” I loved that place.
“Actually, they had some extra spots, so I asked Heather and Reed as well. It’ll make it more fun.”
“Sounds good.”
“It’s semiformal, so I need a suit, and you need a pretty dress.”
“Pretty sure I’ve got that covered,” I said dryly, thinking of the closet at home with all the dresses I used when I worked events.
“I kinda want to treat you to a new one.”
“Luc,” I scolded. “I have plenty.”
“I might have already bought you one. I saw it when I was out to lunch, and it just looked like you. You’ll wear it for me, right?” He paused. “Please?”
I couldn’t say no to this man. Ever.
“Yes, I’ll wear it for you.”
“Perfect.”
“Wait…if you saw it at lunch, you must have known about the event. Why didn’t you—”
He cut me off. “IT emergency. Gotta go.”
“Luc—”
He hung up, and I had to laugh. No doubt, he had forgotten to ask until now. He thought of inviting Heather and Reed, of picking me a dress, but not calling to ask me as his date. As I had discovered since living with him, unless it was computer-related, his thought process wasn’t always the most organized.
I shook my head. That was Luc—the man I loved. He was pretty perfect aside from that, so I’d keep him.
Friday afternoon, I left work and went home to get ready. I put my hair up, then took it down, knowing how much Luc liked it that way. I opened the zipper on the garment bag, removing the dress. I laid it on the bed, fingering the smooth material. It was a deep, rich wine color. I had tried it on quickly when Luc gave it to me, and it fit well. I slipped into the needed lingerie and then slid the dress over my head, looking in the mirror. The bodice crisscrossed over my breasts, the material hugging my torso. My shoulders were bare, the sleeves little scallops on my arms. It flared out at my waist, swirling mid-calf. The color and the simplicity of the cut were elegant and classic—perfect for me. I had a beautiful embroidered shawl that had been my mother’s, the ivory set off with hand-stitched accents a lovely addition if my shoulders got cold. I added nude shoes and a set of drop earrings.
The doorbell sounded, and I answered it, shocked to see Heather there. She looked pretty in a sparkly dress, her hair swept up.
“Hey,” I greeted her, accepting her kiss on the cheek easily. “What are you doing here?”
She frowned. “You didn’t get Luc’s message?”
“No.”
“He got held up in the server room this afternoon. He asked us to pick you up, and he’ll meet us at the winery.”
“Oh.” I picked up my purse, looking at my phone. “I don’t have a message or a missed call.”
“He said their signals kept going down. It’ll probably show up later.”
“I guess.”
“I love that dress. You look gorgeous,” she said, changing the subject.
“Luc picked it.”
“It’s beautiful.” She fingered the shawl. “This looks vintage.”
“It was my mom’s,” I replied quietly.
“It’s perfect. You almost ready to go?”
“Yes. Do you know what the event is? Luc never told me.”
“Oh, um, some dinner dance thing his company was sponsoring.”
“Like a charity gig?”
“Something like that, I think.”