Fortune's Surprise Engagement. Nancy Robards Thompson

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СКАЧАТЬ join us for dinner. As far as we’re concerned, the more the merrier. Right?”

      The sisters nodded. But Dana’s left shoulder rose and fell. “As much as I’d love to, I can’t. Monica is bound to be exhausted. But we will definitely come for brunch tomorrow, if that’s still okay.”

      “We wouldn’t have it any other way,” Rachel said. “I’m sure you want a chance to catch up with Monica before everyone gets swept away by the festivities leading up to the wedding. It’s going to be a busy week. And I know you want to try on your dress. I wish we could be there for that.”

      Sophie reached out and squeezed Dana’s hand. “Of course, we completely understand. Monica needs to be rested up for the wedding. This really is the calm before the storm hits.”

      Something that sounded like a cross between a squeak and a squeal escaped from Sophie and she covered her mouth with both hands. She shook her head and wrung her jittery hands, excitement rolling off her in waves. “Oh, my gosh. You’re right. It just got officially real. This time next week we will be married and dancing at our wedding reception. Maybe I should make my next Fuzzy Handcuffs a double.”

      “Good, that means you can have one for me,” Dana said. “On that note, I’d better say good-night.”

      As the four Fortune Robinson sisters took turns hugging Dana, Alejandro, who had been silent since all the wedding talk started, spoke up. “I have some work to catch up on. I, too, will leave you ladies to your festivities.”

      His gaze caught Olivia’s and lingered long enough to cause a slight shift in the room’s temperature. It was like wading into a warmer current of water.

      “Have fun,” he said. “Olivia, I’ll be in touch.”

      In reverent silence, the sisters watched Alejandro walk away.

      “Gotta love those Mendoza genes,” Rachel said under her breath.

      “Oh, yeah. Highly recommended,” Zoe said and sipped her drink. “Olivia, I think Alejandro is into you. You should go for him this week. Isn’t it a lovely coincidence that he’s Joaquin’s last single brother and you’re my last single sister?”

      Sophie squealed. “I think Alejandro would be a perfect match for Olivia.”

      Olivia could think of many worse things than “going for” Alejandro Mendoza. A wedding fling with a gorgeous Latin man? Hell, yeah. It didn’t get much better than that. Especially since he lived in Miami and she lived in Austin. That was just enough distance for a no-strings-attached fling.

      A slow heat burned deep in her belly. She threw back her drink to cool herself off. The Fuzzy Handcuffs went down way too easily.

      Yeah...but, no. Hooking up with Alejandro wasn’t a good idea. He was family. Sort of. But not really. There was no blood relation. Her sisters were married to his brothers. That in itself was a problem. If she didn’t handle the fling just right, it could get awkward at future family gatherings. And really, when was the last time she’d had a fling? Olivia liked to talk a good game, but she wasn’t into casual sex. Anyway—

      She plucked another drink from the tray and took a healthy sip.

      “This night is not about me,” she said. “It’s about our sister and her happiness.” She raised her glass high before she threw the drink back.

      “Hear, hear,” said Zoe. “I have an idea. Rather than a traditional toast, I think we should each take turns offering sweet Sophie our best words of sisterly advice for a long and happy marriage.”

      “Olivia, you go first,” Zoe said.

      Olivia frowned, already feeling the effects of the alcohol. “Marital advice is not exactly my department.”

      Zoe batted her words away. “Don’t be a killjoy, Liv. You know what I mean. Give her your best sisterly advice.”

      Run! Run for your life. Get out now while you can still save yourself.

      She chuckled at the thought. It was what she wanted to say, but even as tipsy as she was, she had enough good sense to know the reaction that comment would inspire in her sisters. Then she really would be the killjoy that Zoe had accused her of being. That wouldn’t do. She’d have to dig deep to come up with something.

      Of course, Zoe and Rachel and their husbands could be the poster couples for happy marriage. “You two go first. Come back to me.”

      As Rachel and Zoe spouted pearls of matrimonial wisdom, Olivia searched her soul to find something to offer—anything—that didn’t sound jaded or bitter. But her head was spinning. Either she was a lightweight or these Fuzzy Handcuffs really did pack an über-potent punch.

      That’s when she realized three sets of sisterly eyes were focused on her, waiting expectantly.

      “Guys, come on.” Was she slurring her words? Nah, she was just thirsty. Water, she needed water. She looked over and signaled for Mike to come over. He gave her a thumbs-up, which Olivia took to mean he would be there as soon as he was free. He had a couple of customers at the bar, including Alejandro Mendoza. God, he was one sexy Texan—no, wait, he was from Miami. With a vineyard in Texas. So he was sort of an honorary Texy sexan...uhh, a sexy Texan. Whatever. He certainly was the best of both worlds: a head for business and a body for sin.

      A body she really wouldn’t mind taking for a test drive, she thought as she watched him sitting at the bar sipping his beer and doing something on his phone.

      “Olivia!” Zoe demanded. “Earth to Olivia. We’re waiting for you.”

      “Come on, Zo. You know I’m the worst person to ask about this. I don’t believe in love.”

      She tried to wave them away, but realized that gesture probably looked as sloppy as she felt right now.

      “How can you not believe in love?” Sophie pressed. Her voice went up an octave at the end of the sentence. “Everyone believes in love. I mean, what kind of a world would this be if people didn’t believe in love?”

      Rachel, who was still holding her first drink, shot Olivia a look. “You might want to slow down a bit, too. You’re starting to be a bit of a buzzkill, Liv.”

      Oh, first she was a killjoy. Now she was a buzzkill?

      “You want a buzzkill? I’ll give you a buzzkill. I’m happy for the three of you, that you think you’ve found your soul mates. How fabulous for you. But just because it works for you, doesn’t mean love and marriage are for me.”

      “It’s because you’re too guarded,” Zoe said. “Of course you’re not going to find love with that attitude. You have to open your heart before love can find you.”

      Rachel and Sophie nodded earnestly.

      Olivia snorted. “Please tell me you’re not going to start singing ‘Kumbaya’ in three-part harmony.”

      She rolled her eyes and when she did, she saw Alejandro looking in her direction. She looked away fast.

      “I just don’t understand why you feel that way,” Sophie said in a small voice.

      Olivia СКАЧАТЬ