His younger sister had claimed to like Jenna, went so far as to say she was good for her too-serious older brother, yet Amber had allowed Ash to not only blame Jenna for something she hadn’t done, but stood silently at Jenna’s side when he stopped the rehearsal and asked for his grandmother’s ring back.
That had been the worst day of Jenna’s life. Her fingers squeezed tighter around the doorknob. “Amber must have picked today to tell the truth for a reason.”
“She’s getting married this month.”
A June bride, like Jenna would have been. Claire too. “Amber’s what? Twenty-two now?”
“Yes.”
“Young.”
“She’s convinced our father this is what she wants. Her fiancé clerked for my dad. He introduced them, so the guy has the judge’s seal of approval.”
Unlike Jenna when she’d been engaged to Ash. But an upcoming wedding didn’t explain why Amber told the truth today of all days. “Is your sister in a twelve-step wedding prep program and addressing past wrongs?”
Ashton’s mouth twisted. “I wish.”
“That bad?”
“Afraid so.”
Jenna didn’t care about his sister’s wedding. She wanted nothing to do with either one of them. Especially him.
He stood with one foot on the welcome mat. Too attractive for her to remain neutral. Not even picturing a color swatch of beige helped. The least he could have done was gain fifty pounds or have a receding hairline—not look better than he did before.
What patience remained evaporated like mist on a hot day. “Just say it.”
“Amber and Toby’s photographer was placed on bed rest and can’t do their wedding. A replacement was offered, but Amber wants to hire you. She said you’d never agree to the job if she didn’t tell the truth.”
Amber’s motivation didn’t surprise Jenna. The young woman had been pampered and spoiled like a precious pet her entire life. She always got her way, but not this time. “Tell your sister I appreciate her admitting what she did, but I can’t photograph her wedding.”
A beat passed. And another.
“If it’s any consolation, Amber’s sorry.” His tone contrite, he looked as if he’d rather be anywhere but here. “She would have come with me to apologize, but she had an important appointment.”
Jenna considered his words, then rejected them.
“If Amber was sorry, she wouldn’t have waited until she wanted something from me to tell the truth. She would have come herself, not sent you to do her dirty work.” Jenna kept her voice steady and calm. He wasn’t responsible for his sister’s actions even if his doting had enabled her. She had no doubt that nothing had changed in the sibling relationship or Ash wouldn’t have brought this up himself. “I understand if my decision means you don’t want to pay—”
“You’ll get your check.” The muscle at his jaw continued to throb. His facial expression grew serious, his lawyer face. “If I double your fee, would you reconsider photographing Amber’s wedding?”
Oh, wow. Jenna inhaled sharply. She could use the extra money. But she didn’t want to negotiate a contract with him. “Ash—”
“Let’s talk about this. I’m positive we can come to an agreement.”
Tempting. She wouldn’t deny she found the offer appealing. Her business was doing well, but the additional money would allow her to repay Colton for the months of mortgage payments he’d covered. He’d never asked for the money back, but he’d mentioned looking at new pickups. “An apology was more than I expected. You’ve offered to cover the wedding expenses.”
“This money will be for you. For your business or whatever you want.”
Jenna weighed the pros and the cons.
“I don’t blame you for saying no. That would be most people’s instinct.” Understanding filled Ash’s voice, and the clock seemed to rewind, reminding her why she’d fallen for him. “But we can work this out. Your fee is only a starting point in the negotiation.”
A silver hatchback pulled to the curb and parked behind a shiny, new, blue sports car. Paying extra wouldn’t be a hardship for Ash. Money had never been an issue for any Vance, unlike her family, who’d lived paycheck to paycheck, sometimes on food stamps or other assistance. She and Colton had received free breakfasts and hot lunches until they graduated. School supplies and weekend food packs too. But having money didn’t equate to being happy.
Yes, the money would help her brother, but Jenna couldn’t get past what Amber had done, then and now. Playing into the young woman’s hands would show her she could get whatever she wanted no matter how she acted.
“June wedding, right?” Jenna asked, not really wanting to know the date in case she was free.
“Yes, on the twenty—”
“I don’t think so.” The words came out of her mouth so quickly she could have been written a speeding ticket.
“You don’t have to make a decision now.”