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 lecture and wanting to avoid undue worry or intervention from Becky, she chose to

not like we just met. We've hung out before, and he's never shown any special interest. Lucy tried to get him to walk me home, and he

this, Becky breathed

stunner, true, but Keith was no stranger to beauty. Yeah, he probably wouldn't

wanted to play Cupid, it

exec and his wife are

couple approaching, Darlene nudged Becky, eager to switch topics before her

slipped back into her

to her side,

the sisters space, not eavesdropping. He knew Becky would

a third wheel tagging along with her sister and future

longer the lightbulb to her

in mystery, she attracted attention the moment she stepped out

with social obligations, clutched Cecilia's hand like a life raft, "Cecilia, you're finally here! If you took any longer, I'd be under the table

she agree to be

She still had to stand

at the thought-being a

...Did we

respond, Owen was already shielding her, "Ms. Darlene, my Cecilia can't handle her liquor. Half a glass, tops. Any more

Cecilia was a lightweight.

wasn't about to let her

smile turned mischievous, "Mr. Martinez,

Cecilia's waist, declared, "My future wife, of course, I'll look

at

blushed, shooting Owen a playful

played innocent, "Cecilia, I'm only speaking

Ike's wandered off. I'd better scoot back to Becky and take

help her dodge the toasts and seeing Ike had

cover; she was still the delicate flower nurtured

continued late into the night, leaving