Gretchen’s mouth hung open.
Edie’s did, too.
“So I just wanted to get that out in the open,” Bianca said.
“Gee, thanks,” Edie said sarcastically.
“Can we be sisters and best friends again?” Bianca asked her, eyes big and sad. “I’ve missed you. You’re the only sister I have.”
“We’re always sisters,” Edie told her. “And I’ll always love you. I will. But I’m still pissed at you, Bianca. It’s going to take a lot longer than a month or two for me not to be pissed at you.”
“But I’m trying really hard.”
“Try harder,” Edie said. “Try and not hit on my fucking boyfriend, for starters.”
“Bam,” Gretchen whispered again.
“I was trying to be helpful—”
“Maybe we can skip you being so helpful and just go back to you being my sister, Bianca? How about that?”
She gave a little toss of her hair. “Fine. Just don’t shut me out again, okay?” Her eyes watered and she swiped at them. Genuine tears again. Wow. Bianca must really be upset.
That decided Edie. She could soften a little. “I won’t shut you out. But you need to give me space, too.”
“And stay the fuck out of her relationship,” Gretchen added.
“That, too,” Edie said.
“Fair enough.” Bianca smiled at her sister. “So tell me about the cat cafés.”
She knew how to get on Edie’s good side too easily, Edie grumped to herself an hour later. Bianca had gotten her talking and by the time she finally stopped going on and on about how wonderful Coffee N’ Cats was, an hour had passed and she hadn’t wanted to strangle her sister once. It was a start. But when Bianca started to turn the conversation toward herself, Edie shut her down.
“You should probably go,” Edie announced. “I’ve had enough sisterly love for one day.”
Bianca looked startled, then shrugged. “That’s fine. I thought while I was on this side of town, I’d stop by and see my sweet Cooper.” She got up, tossed her hair, and then pulled Edie into a hug. “I’m so glad we’re talking again. Please don’t hate me forever.”
She gave her sister an awkward pat on the back. “Me, too.”
Gretchen made gagging noises.
“But distance,” Edie quickly added. “We’re going to give each other distance.”
“Distance,” Bianca agreed, releasing Edie and heading for the door. “I’ll call you in a few days, then. Bye, Sis!”
Gretchen looked thoughtful as Bianca left the room. “So she sunk her claws into Cooper? That poor, poor man. He’s been snagged by the subtlest of gold diggers, and is probably happy as a lark about it.”
“Should we warn him?” Edie asked.
“Nah. He needs to get laid.” Gretchen tilted her head and glanced at Edie. “Speaking of groomsmen and such . . . Levi dropped out of the wedding, you know. Said it was harshing his free spirit. I think he’s still sulking over Bianca dumping him. He told Hunter he was going to vacation in Europe for a few months and to pick someone else.”
“Oh, no.” Edie frowned. “Are you short a groomsman? I feel like we’re responsible.”
“Don’t worry,” Gretchen said. “Among Hunter’s band of merry men, I’m sure someone has a younger brother somewhere.” She winked. “This is still going to be the most spectacular—or spectacularly awful—wedding of the year. Just you wait.”
Edie believed it. Gretchen never did things halfway. “Well, I’m sorry if I hooked up with one of your groomsmen.”
“Don’t be sorry,” Gretchen told her. “You’re not the only one getting herself a little some-some from one of Hunter’s buddies. Didn’t you hear about the others?” At Edie’s shake of her head, Gretchen’s eyes widened. “Girl, have I got stories to tell you . . .”
Look for the next book in the Billionaires and Bridesmaids series
THE BILLIONAIRE TAKES A BRIDE
Available October 2015
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jessica Clare writes under three pen names. As Jessica Clare, she writes erotic contemporary romances, including the Billionaire Boys Club novels and the Hitman novels with Jen Frederick. As Jessica Sims, she writes fun, sexy shifter paranormals, and as Jill Myles, she writes a little bit of everything, from sexy, comedic urban fantasy to fairy tales gone wrong.
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