Faux Vows, True Desires

"Bro, that portrait you painted, the mysterious lady, doesn't she remind you a bit of Darlene? Darlene might look like a delicate flower, prone to wilt at the slightest breeze, but no, she's graceful and enchanting, not some fragile beauty. Bro, why do you sound so dismissive when you bring up Darlene? She's gorgeous, you should be smitten after one glance!"

Keith shrugged, "Women are all the same to me. I'm not interested in them, doesn't matter how they look."

"But Darlene is a knockout, a real head-turner, and you're still not into her. Are you planning on being a bachelor forever? If you paid more attention, you'd see there's a sharp wit behind those eyes of hers. I be she's the type to play her cards close to her vest."

Keith chuckled, "Lucy, who doesn't have a change of expression now and then? A static face, that's a sign of dullness. Wait, are you trying to play matchmaker between me and Darlene? I don't think she's got any interest in me either."

Keith had never been so openly nudged towards marriage before.

His dad acted like he couldn't care less, even though he was strict behind closed doors. But he never meddled in Keith's love life, probably because he was still young, just twenty-four, not thirty-four.

His mother had been a bit loopy in the past, sometimes mistaking Keith for her husband, so she was hardly in a position to push him towards marriage. And when she did come to her senses, Keith always managed to slip away from the conversation.

Turned out, it was his sister Lucinda who kept tabs on him.

Darlene's gaze was calm when she looked at him, not at all like other women who went googly-eyed. Keith was sure there was no spark between them.

Lucinda, grinning, confessed, "Mom told me to keep an eye out for you, to introduce you to a nice girl. My big brother already has a girlfriend, so it's my turn to fuss over your affairs. Darlene's great, I really like her, and she's Ms. Bishop's sister. Imagine, both of my brothers marrying the Bishop sisters. That'd be something, huh? Trust my instinct, bro, Darlene is definitely more than she seems. If you don't believe me do a little sleuthing, observe her, and you'll see."

By suggesting Darlene might be the mysterious lady, Lucinda hoped to spark Keith's curiosity, to get him to seek out Darlene himself.

Given enough time, sparks might fly.

Keith snorted, "Lucy, you can't outsmart me. You think by saying that, I'll cozy up to Darlene? That kind of damsel in distress? I'm not interested in playing the protector. Don't worry, when I do decide to get married, I'll make sure she gets along with you first. I wouldn't dream of causing any sister-in-law drama for you."

Lucinda was speechless.

up in that environment, he was no stranger to playing mind games. There's no way

a whole line of younger brothers. The second eldest is getting married soon, and then it's the third

him, but also because of her agile moves. Keith probably had a soft spot for the kick-ass heroine type. Keith sighed, "Lucy, is this all

I barely have time to miss Stefan, let alone you. Maybe if

you a sister-in-law, she'll be all you think about, and I'll be

"Is mom back yet?"

back next Thursday. Liam and Tiffany's

struggle with a Monday morning hangover. This way,

always jet-setting around. Keep an

agreement. "She's after mom, wants her to divorce dad and step aside for her. Never seen someone so shameless. She should

the drama never

door. Let's cut this short before he

protective to a

ended the call without waiting for

but smile to himself, "Trying to pique my interest in Darlene? Lucy, you're still a little

he dialed a number, instructing the person on the other end, "Keep an eye on

A man of contradictions!

lady and eager to discover her true

time he felt such interest in a woman, and he wasn't trying to predict or control where it might

sister managed to pair her off with