Faux Vows, True Desires

Becky couldn't help but think it was just a coincidence.

Still, she whispered a word of caution to her sister, "The Blue family is a tough crowd, you know. You and Lucy are tight, and she's fiercely loyal to her brothers. I wouldn't put it past her to have designs on you for one of them. Just promise me, if Lucy starts playing matchmaker for you and her brother, you'll give me a heads- up, okay?"

"You're too sweet for your own good, sis. You'd have a hard time turning down Lucy's matchmaking. Leave it to me to do the dirty work."

Keith was a catch, no doubt, but the Blue family was trouble.

Becky could see Keith's charm but not the appeal of the tangled Blue dynasty.

She had only one sister. With their parents gone, it was just the two of them against the world, and she'd be damned if she'd let her sister get caught up in the intricate web of the Blue household.

Just look at the life Mrs. Bright led to see how tough it was to be the matriarch of the Blues.

Darlene couldn't help but chuckle, "Sis, you're thinking way too far ahead."

That was her sister for you. If any guy gave her a second glance, Becky was ready with a whole saga, treating every one of them like the big bad wolf.

Her sister protected her like no other.

"Just inoculating you in advance. Lucy's all over her brothers' love lives. With Ike off the market thanks to me, she won't meddle there, but her own brother's still a bachelor. She's bound to be worried."

Becky wasn't close with Lucinda, but Ike was always singing his sister's praises, and through him, Becky felt like she knew Lucinda inside out.

"We've only had each other for so long. I can't bear the thought of you leaving for some faraway place."

Fearing Becky would go on and on, Darlene quickly interjected. Despite her corporate ice queen façade, Becky was a real chatterbox around her, always fussing over her.

"Sis, chill. If Lucy tries to set me up with Keith, I'll tell you. As much as you hate the thought of me leaving, I'm not keen on moving far away. I like it just fine under your wing."

Yeah, right.

She was keeping a significant secret from her sister.

a touch on the risky side. Fearing a lecture and wanting to avoid undue worry or intervention from Becky, she chose to keep her clandestine training with her mentor under

even be into me. It's not like we just met. We've hung out before,

breathed a sigh of

was no stranger to beauty. Yeah, he probably wouldn't go

to play

and his wife are coming

Darlene nudged Becky, eager to switch topics before her sister's ramblings gave her

slipped back

returned to

eavesdropping. He

like a third wheel tagging along with her sister and future brother-in- law. She

lightbulb to her sister's

being the maid of honor and the elusive Ms. Darlene, seldom seen and shrouded in mystery, she attracted attention the moment she stepped out from under Becky's icy shield. A flock of eligible bachelors and curious ladies, aware of her friendship

arrived at the reception, Darlene, swamped with social obligations, clutched Cecilia's hand like a life raft, "Cecilia, you're finally here! If you took any longer,

again would she agree to be

She still had to stand up for Lucy and

at the thought-being a bridesmaid was a boozy

...Did

Owen was already shielding her, "Ms. Darlene, my Cecilia can't handle her liquor. Half a glass, tops. Any more than that, and I'm

Cecilia was a lightweight.

wasn't about to let her get tipsy again, especially

mischievous, "Mr. Martinez,

his arm around Cecilia's waist, declared, "My future wife, of course, I'll

at their

Owen a

played innocent, "Cecilia, I'm only speaking from

better scoot back to

her dodge the toasts and seeing Ike had stepped away, Darlene

she was still the delicate flower

late into the night, leaving