“Why does everybody keep asking me about how I feel?”
“Well, you didn’t let us know you were seeing anyone seriously, and then the next thing we know, we get a call there’s a wedding in less than two weeks.”
“I didn’t know I had to check in with everybody about my personal life.”
“Not check in, but we’re family. This was kind of unexpected.”
“Unexpected for you,” Matthew added pointedly, looking directly at Derrick. “She’s not your usual type. And I mean that in a good way.”
“I’m glad you approve.”
Derrick didn’t need any reminders about the other women he’d brought around his family. The worst incident had taken place New Year’s Eve, when the woman he’d taken down to St. Simons Island, to the Hawthorne family vacation home, had gotten drunk and slipped into Roarke’s bedroom.
She’d sworn Roarke had made a pass at her, and an argument had ensued between the two men. The next day he’d been so disgusted by her behavior he sent her packing, but not before she blamed him for her indiscretion. She claimed if he paid more attention to her and wasn’t so distant, she wouldn’t have given in to his brother’s passes. He’d grown tired of her anyway, and her words held little to no importance to him. A long period passed before he admitted to himself that she had lied and, under false pretenses, helped to drive a deeper wedge between him and Roarke.
“Does she have any family in town?” Celeste asked. “Maybe Cassidy and I could take her out to lunch one day.”
“That’s not a bad idea,” Derrick said. “All of her close friends are on the island, and most of her family lives there and out west.”
“Are you sure you want Cassidy to be her first extended introduction to the family?” Matthew asked. He enjoyed making fun of his younger sister, even when she wasn’t around. She and her husband had already left. “She might scare her off.”
“Cassidy’s not even here to defend herself,” Celeste said with a shake of her head. “You’re awful.”
“I don’t think he knows how to be any other way,” Roarke said.
“Your fault, big brother. You helped raised me.” Matthew grinned.
“Where did I go wrong?”
“All right, you two, simmer down.” Celeste’s eyes found Roarke’s. “It’s getting late, and I need to get missy to bed. We should head home soon.”
“You two run along,” Matthew said. “The rest of us grown folk will shut the place down. The band’s still playing, the liquor’s still pouring, and some of us have plans, which include getting some h-o-t sex.”
“Matthew!” Celeste scolded him. “You spelled the wrong word. And anyway, she can spell. She’s six, not two.”
Derrick and Roarke had a good laugh at his expense. “Damn, I’m sorry, Celeste.” He rolled his eyes when he realized he’d cursed again. “Cover her ears,” he said in exasperation.
“Give me my baby.” Celeste took the exhausted Arianna from Roarke. The little girl moaned softly and wrapped her little arms tightly around her mother’s neck.
Derrick imagined one day he would be doing the same—whatever he could to protect his daughter and preserve her innocence for as long as possible.
“I’ll leave you men to finish up your conversation in the absence of a minor child.” She playfully cut her eyes at Matthew before walking away.
“I said I was sorry,” he called after her. He propped his shoulder against the wall. “So where are you and the mystery woman headed for your honeymoon?” His gaze trained on the bridesmaids standing near the exit.