Oh, my God! That brought a whole new meaning to for richer or poorer.

“Abby, I had no idea!”

“No one does. Well, we’re hoping no one does. I’m only telling you this because it might explain why Jake may not be showing you his best right now. He’s under an extreme amount of pressure to help Dominic find a solution and so far nothing has worked.”

So, that explained why he was flying all over the country and paying hush money.

Could Jeremy have found something that could help them?

Abby said, “This weekend doubles as an engagement party and a cover for Dominic to fly in some big named programmers without sending up any red flags. Jake is going to need a friend, Lil, especially at the party tomorrow.”

Ok, now you’ve lost me.

“I don’t understand.”

Abby said, “Dominic is counting on enlisting the help of two of the biggest icons in computer programming history.”

Lil shrugged.

Still nothing.

Abby said with emphasis, “Jake’s parents.”

“And that’s a bad thing?” Even as she voiced the question, Lil thought back to when she’d asked Jake about his parents and how he’d become defensive.

“Dominic told me that Jake has never even admitted that they are his parents. He refuses to talk about them at all.”

I believe that.

“Then how did Dominic get them to come?” When it came to her future brother-in-law the possibilities were endless.

“He told them that Jake wanted them here.”

“Oh, that’s not good.” Jake was not going to be happy with that lie.

“Dom is convinced it will work out.” Abby didn’t look as certain. She gripped Lil’s hand as something occurred to her. “You can’t tell Jake, Lil.”

“I won’t.”

“I shouldn’t have said anything.”

Lil gave her sister’s hand a supportive squeeze. “I won’t say a word.”

And she meant it.

Unfortunately, I’m becoming quite good at lying by omission.

Time to change the subject. “Abby, I’ll be your maid of honor.”

With a happy gasp, Abby hugged her long and tight. “I am so happy, Lil.”

Lil hugged her back and wished she could say the same. “I do have a request, though.”

“Oh, oh,” Abby said with an indulgent smile.

“Choose dresses for the wedding party that are smoking hot. I mean eat-your-heart-out-and- wish-you-could-have-a-piece-of-this, but sophisticated,” Lil said.

Abby laughed. “I’ll tell Marie. She is fantastic with stuff like that.”

“You get along with her really well, don’t you?” Lil asked.

Abby said, “I know Dominic has a mother, but Marie is the one he turns to when he needs a mom.”

Lil coughed, “Dominic needs a mom?”

Abby smiled. “Everyone needs someone in their life who loves them unconditionally and will still remind them to watch their manners.”

Lil shook her head in wonder. “Somehow I can’t picture anyone telling Dominic to do that.”

Abby threw a hand up for emphasis and laughed. “Oh, it’s hilarious to see. She puts Jake in his place now and then, too.”

Now that I would like to see.

“Isn’t she just Dominic’s assistant?” Lil asked.

“That’s what she’ll try to tell you, but she’s so much more. She came into their lives about seven years ago. Dominic had just taken over the Andrade’s family company and was in a huge fight with his sister. Jake disagreed with how Dom was handling the situation to the point where he had threatened to pull out of the company. From what I understand, Marie witnessed one of those escalating arguments and told them that she was mortified by their behavior. Dominic does the funniest impression of Marie-you’ll have to ask to hear it one day. Stop bickering this instant. You sound like two young schoolgirls. Jake, can’t you see that Dominic is hurt over what is happening with his sister? Support him a little. And, Dominic, you apologize right now for threatening to kill Jake. And watch your language. In my day, men didn’t use profanity in front of women so I’d appreciate it if you both refrained from being quite so graphic in the future. Dom told me that when they both stopped laughing they actually did as she suggested. He and Jake were friends since college, but Marie made them a family.”

Wow.

“What about Dominic’s mother? Rosella?” It had to be hard for her to watch another woman assume her role in her child’s life. Lil couldn’t imagine how she would feel if something like that ever happened with her and Colby. Just the idea of it was heartbreaking.

Abby said, “Dominic has seen her several times. He loves her, but it’s still strained. Maybe it always will be. She hurt her children by leaving them. Hurt like that doesn’t just go away.”

“Was that who Nicole was referring to when she said that someone could come tomorrow?” Ah, it made sense now.

“Yes, and that was a huge step for her. Outside of one quick meeting, Nicole has refused to see her.”

“I can’t really blame her. She thought her mother was dead.” Lil found it difficult to find any sympathy for a woman who had deserted her children and faked her own death to protect herself.

Abby said, “We’re only on this planet for so long, Lil. Life is too short and too precious to nurture old injuries. Sometimes it’s better to just let it go so you can heal.”

Oh, really? This claim needed to be tested.

“That means you’ve completely forgiven me for totaling your first car?”

A slight red filled Abby’s cheeks. “The one I had finally paid off and could have driven for free for years if you hadn’t taken it for a joyride before you had your driver’s license?”

Perhaps that had been the wrong injury to resurrect. “When you say it like that, it does sound awful.”

Abby patted one of Lil’s shoulders in mock support. “I’ve forgiven you, but that doesn’t mean I won’t enjoy watching Colby put you through your paces.”

“That hurts,” Lil laughed.

“The truth often does,” Abby joked back.

Lil sobered and asked, “We’re okay, right, Abby?”

Abby hugged her sister one last time and used a line that she’d started saying when she’d taken over the household and had continued to sprinkle into many of their disagreements over the years. “Always better together.”

Tears welled and spilled down Lil’s cheeks. Oh, how she’d mocked Abby over the years for voicing that mantra whenever things had gotten dicey between them. Today, she finally heard something in those words that she’d thought Abby had never said. It made her feel both ashamed of how she’d taken her sister for granted and grateful that somehow Abby had loved her through it all.

For the first time, Lil repeated the words in agreement, “Always better together.”

Her normally composed sister hugged her tighter and burst into tears.

Happy tears.

Cleansing tears.

“About that car,” Lil added to lighten the mood.

Abby pulled back slightly and smiled even as she wiped her wet cheeks. “Still going to enjoy your pain.”

“I love you, too, Abby.” Lil meant to say the words with some sarcasm, but they came out as a heartfelt declaration.

Abby’s smile widened and she stood, offering a hand to her sister. “I know, Lil. Now, let’s go pick out which dress you’re going to wear for the big party tomorrow night. We’ll see if we have the same definition of smoking hot.”


Later that night Lil was choosing a book to read to Colby. She picked up and dismissed each from the selection she had packed. Finally, she settled Colby onto her lap with only a bottle and said, “From now on we’re going to read alphabet books instead of this junk. None of these books prepare you for real life. It’s never as easy as having the right sized foot , men do not fall in love with you because they hear you sing one song, and if seven men ever ask you to move in with them-I want you to say no.”

Colby was more interested in her evening meal than her mother’s impromptu life lesson.

“All sound advice,” Jake said from behind her.

Lil whipped around in her seat, hearing a slight protest from Colby before she settled back with her bottle again. “What are you doing here?”

“We need to talk.”

“This is my private suite. You can’t just come in here.”

“Do you want me to go out and knock again? You didn’t answer last time.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t hear you.” Then she thought about it. “Wait, I’m not sorry. If no one answers, you don’t just walk in.”

There was a bit too much I do as I please look in his eyes for her comfort. “You had the opportunity to talk to me downstairs.”

“Another man would take the hint.”

“I’m tired of playing games, Lil. It’s time for us to be honest.”

Honest.

Maybe he was right. Maybe the only way to get past this was for her to tell him everything. He wasn’t a vindictive man. Once she explained to him that Alethea and Jeremy had only been trying to find out if Abby was safe-he’d understand.

And there was a good chance that Jeremy had discovered something useful.

Abby would likely never forgive her if she went that extra step and told Jake that Dominic had invited his parents, but didn’t he deserve to know? After all, hadn’t Jake spent the last few weeks trying to save Dominic? He didn’t deserve to be broadsided like that.

Honesty, here I come.

“Yes, it is,” she said. “And I have something I need to tell you…” As he stepped away from the doorway and into the room Lil noticed that one of his eyes was blackened as if it had been punched. He crouched beside her chair and she touched a bruise on his jaw. “What happened to your face?”

“Dominic didn’t like the truth.”

Instant outrage filled Lil. “He beat you up?”

Oddly, Jake looked pleased with himself. “I’d call it more of a tie.”