Chapter 2

Two

Leo

W hen I heard about Gia’s plan to attend a wedding at Silas’s resort, I knew I had to find a way to go with her. She and Silas didn’t get along. They either complained about each other to me or, if they happened to be in the same room, traded barbs. It was uncomfortable for me since Gia was my sister and Silas was my best friend.

I wanted to step between them, but I wasn’t sure Gia needed or wanted that. She could handle herself, even against Silas. There was something about those two that had me on edge, and I couldn’t figure out what it was. I didn’t think Silas would hurt her, not really.

If he did something to jeopardize her business, he’d have me to deal with. We might have been friends, but Gia was my sister. She’d always come first.

Sometimes, I think Silas enjoyed their rivalry a bit too much. I wondered if he’d poached Harrison on purpose. There had to be other people who built arbors, but what did I know about the wedding business?

It was a smart move when Silas bought and renovated this resort. It was the perfect location for weddings, as it bordered the bay. It quickly became the number one wedding destination and fine-dining option in the area. Whenever he booked a wedding, he filled most of his rooms, and the restaurants too.

In a perfect world, Gia would stay in her corner of Annapolis, and Silas would stay in his at the resort. But somehow, these two circled each other, sniping at each other and making everyone around them uncomfortable. I had a feeling it was going to blow up in their faces soon, and they weren’t going to like the fallout.

There was a second reason I was here, and it was because I knew Gia wouldn’t come without her best friend, Harper. She’d eased into our lives slowly when we were younger. First, coming over for the occasional playdate, and when Mom realized her mother worked a lot, she was invited to dinners and, eventually, sleepovers.

Mom told us to protect her as if she were our sister. I took that role seriously over the years. My father frequently reminded me that it was my role as the eldest of my siblings. As Gia got older, she didn’t need me to watch out for her as much, but Harper called out to every one of my overprotective instincts.

Harper tended to gravitate toward guys that were trouble. When she got pregnant, I offered to remind Manny, Evie’s father, of his responsibilities, but Harper was adamant that I not confront him.

And I adored her little girl, Evie. She was the center of joy in our family. Even if she wasn’t technically ours, she was part of our family.

The wedding planner instructed everyone to sit at their tables. I stuck close to Harper since Gia had disappeared during cocktail hour and hadn’t reappeared.

I kept my arm loose over the back of Harper’s chair as she made small talk with the other couples at the table, explaining that we were there to support Finn. It was a weak explanation because I didn’t think Harper and Gia were especially close to Finn. There was some tension when Gia discovered he was dating his colleague, one of Gia’s wedding planners, Aria. Apparently, Gia had rules against fraternization, but Finn stopped accepting new contracts to play at Gia’s weddings, and that seemed to solve the issue.

When talk at the table turned away from us, Harper asked, “Where do you think Gia is?”

“Who knows? That girl’s always been trouble,” I grumbled. I didn’t mind my role as protector, but Gia had never made it easy. Once, as teens, we were at a town fair, and she’d jumped into the car of some guy without telling me. Then I had to find her and somehow keep it from our father. I swear she did it on purpose to drive me crazy. As an adult, I knew she could handle most things that came her way.

But Harper had always been a bit easier. She stuck by my side and listened to me. But as she got older, the control I exerted over Gia and Harper diminished. They were adults who could make their own decisions.

I scanned the room, and when I didn’t spot her, my gaze dropped to Harper, who’d covered a smile with her hand.

“You think I’m funny?” I asked her. Even though she’d been in my life forever, she was a bit of a mystery to me. She was quieter than Gia, but then maybe Gia’s personality was so big it cast a shadow over everyone around her.

“A little bit.”

“You know my father tells me to protect her, but it’s impossible,” I grumbled.

Harper grinned. “That girl operates on her own frequency.”

I’d never taken the opportunity to get to know Harper. I always thought of her as Gia’s friend, and therefore, she was off-limits to me. But I adored her daughter. “How’s that sweet girl of yours?”

Harper’s eyes lit up like I knew they would. “She’s going to kindergarten now, and she loves it.”

“Is she smart like her mamma?”

“She is.” Harper blushed, and I wondered what that was about.

Was she not used to compliments or my teasing? Maybe I reserved it for Gia, not wanting to get involved with Harper in any way. Now, I wondered why that was.

“She’s so social. She’ll talk to our neighbors for the longest time. It’s like she’s this old soul in a tiny body. They love her.”

“She’s adorable.” Every time she was in my parents’ house, I took the opportunity to hold her. I loved spending time with her, playing and listening to her jabber on about her dolls. She was the cutest thing, and she made me want to start a family sooner rather than later. I couldn’t help but wonder if my kids would be like her.

Harper’s shoulders relaxed. “I’m so grateful that your mother watches her. I don’t know what I’d do without your family.”

Harper was a gorgeous, independent woman, who worked hard and took care of that girl on her own. She was just as strong as my sister. “You’d be okay.”

“I don’t know. Daycare is so expensive, and with my hours, I’m not sure I could work for Gia and manage.”

“Thank God you’ll never have to find out.” If my mom couldn’t watch Evie, one of my aunts would. It was just the way it was. We watched out for our own, and Harper and Evie were part of that.

“What did I miss?” Gia asked as she sat down in the chair on the other side of Harper.

The waitstaff was setting the salads down on the table in front of us.

“Just the cocktail hour,” Harper said, turning her attention to her.

Reluctantly, I removed my arm from Harper’s chair and set my elbows on the table. “You get any good intel?”

Gia flashed me an irritated look. “I took a walk to see the grounds. The property is gorgeous.”

“You’ve never been here?” I asked, a little surprised. She said she was here to check out the resort, but I guess I thought she’d been here before. Stayed for another wedding or a girls’ night out or something.

Gia rolled her eyes. “If it wasn’t obvious, Silas doesn’t want me here.”

I shifted in my chair, the idea making me uncomfortable. “He’ll come around. You’re my sister.”

“And his number-one enemy,” Gia muttered as she picked up her fork to pick at her salad.

I wondered if that was accurate. I didn’t want something happening between them that would affect my friendship with Silas or my relationship with Gia.

“From what I can tell, he runs a beautiful resort. The accommodations are luxurious, and the waitstaff is professional and accommodating.” Gia’s eyes were round, her expression soft.

“Are you staying overnight?” I asked her.

Gia nodded. “I want to get a better feel for the hotel.”

“I want to get back to Evie,” Harper said uneasily.

“I’ll take you,” I offered easily.

Harper frowned at me. “Don’t you need to spend time with Silas?”

“I can grab a drink with him anytime, and if you need to be home, I’ll get you there.”

Harper’s expression softened. “Thank you.”

“Anytime.” I popped a cucumber into my mouth, knowing it was true. I took care of people; it’s what I did. And I didn’t mind, but I wondered if I’d have a marriage and a child in my immediate future. There was something about being here today, witnessing Chris and Naomi with Paisley, that had me thinking more about Harper and her situation.

Would she meet a good man who would treat Evie and Harper like they deserved? With her luck in men, I wasn’t so sure. Not that I knew what happened in her life, but Manny wasn’t there for Evie, and Harper’s dad was never in the picture.

I heard Gia and my mom talking about it on occasion. Manny didn’t pay child support as ordered. As soon as child support services found out where he worked, they’d garnish his wages, and then he’d quit his job. The search would start all over again. I hated the guy on principle, and no one would ever be good enough for Evie.

I liked things how they were now. Harper and Evie were close. My family could help them. I didn’t like the idea of another man coming into Harper’s life and offering her security. It didn’t sit right with me.

“Their wedding planner is organized and well-prepared. The ceremony went smoothly,” Gia continued, as if she was having a business meeting with Harper.

“You thought it wouldn’t be?” I couldn’t help but butt into their conversation. Silas was good at everything he did, especially in business.

“I was hoping there would be something I could exploit.”

I leaned back, still hungry after devouring the salad. I needed something more substantial. “You aren’t in direct competition, you know. If a couple wants a resort, they come here; if they want a venue in Annapolis, they go to you.”

“I’ve been losing more clients lately. When I ask about why, they say they prefer the all-inclusive offerings of Silas’s resort.”

“Can you blame them? I can’t imagine planning my own wedding.” Harper shuddered. “There are so many details.”

“Yet you don’t mind doing it for other people,” I said, interested to know more about her.

“I’m not a wedding planner. I’m the manager.”

“That’s right.” I wondered what her position entailed in Gia’s business. Gia had said Harper had been invaluable to her since she hired her, but I hadn’t paid close attention to her job duties.

Dinner finally came, and I dug into the steak while Gia and Harper made small talk with the other couples at our table. Afterward, Finn played his guitar for the bride and groom’s first dance, and a few others. When the guests filtered onto the dance floor, Gia said, “You two should dance. We need to blend in and look natural.”

“Not like we’re on a supersecret spy mission?” I teased.

“Just go dance,” Gia said with a wave of her hand.

I had a feeling she wanted to take another tour of the place, and I should have told her not to, but when had she ever listened to me?

I stood and held my hand out to Harper. She placed her hand in mine, and it reminded me a little of another wedding of Gia’s I attended, and Harper insisted we dance. It had been a little awkward because I’d never been that close to Harper, but it surprised me because I realized I was attracted to her. As much as I tried to shove it down and ignore it over the years, I liked her.

When we reached the dance floor, I pulled her into my arms, keeping a little distance between our bodies.

“We’ve been in this position before,” Harper mused.

“This is weird, isn’t it?” I asked her, needing confirmation that she felt the shift in the air between us. Maybe I’d never gotten close to her for a reason. Because the way she felt in my arms was nice.

Harper’s lips pursed. “I wouldn’t say it’s weird, but it is different.”

I’d put Harper into this little box labeled Gia’s best friend , and I didn’t like to take her out of it. Whenever I did, like now when I was forced to dance with her, emotions swirled in my chest that had nothing to do with affection for a sibling or a friend.

A couple brushed behind Harper, causing her to stumble into my body. I pressed her close, steadying her. “Are you okay?” I asked into her hair.

“Yeah,” she said, her voice a little shaky, so I kept her close, enjoying the feel of her soft body pressed against mine. I tried not to think about how I felt the hard nubs of her nipples pressed against my chest, and when I spread my palm on her back, I didn’t feel the band of a bra. Was she bare under this slip of a dress?

I felt my pants getting tight, the blood draining from my head.

“I’m okay,” Harper reassured me, and I loosened my hold on her, letting her create a few inches of space between us.

“Even though I’m in the business of planning weddings, I think it’s an odd tradition.”

I eased back so I could see the expression on her face. “You don’t like weddings?” They’d always been a big deal in my family. A celebration of life, love, and family.

“I wouldn’t say that. I just don’t understand them. Why spend so much money on one day?”

“I think it’s because women look forward to feeling special. They don’t care about the cost.”

Harper pursed her lips again, and I chided myself for forgetting that she hadn’t grown up with money. She’d relied on government assistance and our family’s hand-me-downs.

Harper shook her head. “It’s not about the money. I just don’t get it. I can’t explain it.”

Then a thought hit me: She didn’t think meeting a man who’d accept her and her daughter was possible. “There’s someone out there for you.”

Harper laughed without any humor. “You believe that?”

I frowned. “Don’t you?” Didn’t all women hope to meet their soulmate or their significant other? They believed in that more than men did.

Harper sighed. “My mom never married. No one ever thought she was right for them.”

I didn’t know much about her mother. I knew she worked and had boyfriends. But I wasn’t sure if she intentionally neglected Harper or if it was a by-product of her circumstances. I remember not liking how often men came and went. “I’m not sure that’s what she was looking for.”

Harper’s lips curled. “She wanted desperately for someone to love her. Trust me. I know.”

Had her mother looked for love in the wrong place? “You think you’ll have the same experience?”

Harper shrugged. “I’m a young, single mother. Manny isn’t involved.”

I tensed.

Harper squeezed my hand as if she sensed my unease. “Not that I want him to be. It’s better this way.”

I forced my muscles to relax because I thought so too. I didn’t like the guy, and I didn’t want him around Harper and Evie. They were too good for him.

“No one wants to date a single mother.”

“I don’t know about that—” I didn’t think I’d ever had the occasion to choose the option. I met most of my girlfriends in school or, later, through my extended family. None of them had a child, but I don’t think it would have bothered me if they did.

“You know it’s true. What guy my age would want to deal with the added responsibility?”

“Are you looking to date?” I didn’t remember Gia mentioning her dating recently. It seemed like she only asked my mom to watch Evie when she worked.

Harper chuckled. “Definitely not. There’s just something about being at a wedding that makes you question your choices in life.”

“Tell me about it.” I'd had similar thoughts while watching the ceremony. But it was Paisley whom I was drawn to. Even though she was closer to eight or nine, and Evie was only five, I couldn’t help but think of the parallels, wondering if a child was in my future.

Harper smiled up at me, and something about it sent a pang through my heart. “What are you questioning?”

“Whether I should find someone and settle down. I’m not getting any younger,” I said, repeating one of my mom’s favorite phrases.

Harper frowned. “Is that what you want, though?”

“Watching Naomi and Chris interact with Paisley… I wonder if that’s what I want.”

“A stepdaughter?” Harper asked, her brow raised.

“I meant a child in general,” I rushed to correct her, because I wouldn’t admit that it had made me think of Evie and Harper and how I wouldn’t want them with anyone else. Which was ridiculous, because Harper deserved to be happy, and Evie deserved a stepdad who would take care of her like she was his own.

Harper smiled softly. “You’re great with Evie.”

“I love her,” I said without thinking, and Harper smiled at me. My heart squeezed. I would do anything to make her smile like that at me again. “You know she’s irresistible.”

Harper smiled, and then it faded. “I just want her to have a good life.”

I heard what she wasn’t saying—not the life that Harper had growing up. “You’re a great mother.”

Harper let out a breath. “I needed to hear that. Sometimes it’s hard doing it on your own.”

“Do you need help with anything? Because you know my family will be there for you.” I’m here for you. But I couldn’t tell her that. We weren’t friends. We barely knew each other outside of our respective roles in the family.

“And I appreciate that. But I feel like I should stand on my own. I shouldn’t need help.”

Surprised by her admission, I stopped swaying to the music. “Raising kids is hard work. Take all the help you can get. Especially since Manny isn’t involved.”

She bit her lip. “I feel so guilty all the time—like when I have to work or when I need to go to an appointment.”

“Evie loves you.” I brushed a hair back from her face, wishing I could comfort her in another way. But we weren’t that close. I shouldn’t want to touch her.

She closed her eyes, and I moved when Finn struck up a new song on his guitar.

I lowered my head and spoke directly into her ear. “Never doubt that you are enough. Sei la più bella cosa che c’è. ”

My heart pounded hard in my chest as I waited for her response.