left toward the north wing of the hotel where Celeste’s room was located. “You have to admit that he’s a dream to look at,” Celeste said of her own fiance’s best friend, apparently not done trying to sway Rebecca. “And he certainly couldn’t be more obvious about his interest in you.”
Rebecca laughed at that, because over the three years that her sister had dated Greg, she’d quickly learned that Connor had flirting down to an art form. There was no denying that he tempted and teased her with sexy innuendos whenever their paths crossed, but she was smart enough to know that his interest in her wasn’t exclusive. If anything, he enjoyed the thrill of the chase and she undoubtedly proved to be a challenge for him. The man was a consummate playboy, and his short-lived track record with other women proved he was more interested in a good time than establishing a substantial or lasting relationship.
“Connor is fascinated by anything wearing a skirt and high heels,” Rebecca said lightly. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him with the same woman twice.”
That observation didn’t seem to concern Celeste as they continued down the corridor. “Well, he’s coming solo this weekend.”
So, he was experiencing a slump at the moment. The man was entitled, but Rebecca wasn’t looking to be his weekend replacement. “The only arm candy I’ll be for Connor is during your wedding,” she told her sister. “That’s it.”
“You’re getting too stuffy in your old age,” Celeste said, the concern in her tone overriding the insult behind her words, which Rebecca knew her sister hadn’t intended. “You need to live a little, Becca. Break out of that parental mode you’ve been living in since Mom died.”
Becoming a maternal figure to her then ten-year-old sister had been a necessary transition for Rebecca, then eventually a habit she couldn’t break. Their father, Curtis, had worked for a plumbing parts company that required him to travel often, which had left Rebecca in charge of things at home-not only raising Celeste, but cooking and cleaning, and even handling the finances. And it hadn’t taken Rebecca long to discover that her father spent more money than he earned and charged thousands of dollars on his credit cards on big ticket items and never paid off the revolving balance. Mainly because he couldn’t.
“I’m getting married and moving out of our apartment as soon as I get back from my honeymoon with Greg,” Celeste went on with her sisterly lecture. “You’re going to be all alone for the first time
“I haven’t found anyone worth dating,” she said with a nonchalant shrug. “There is a guy in the accounting department at the hospital who’s asked me out a couple of times. Maybe after this weekend I’ll go to dinner with him and see how it goes from there.”
“Ooooh, that sounds
“Stuart is a nice guy,” Rebecca said in automatic defense.
They came to a stop at a set of double doors and Celeste retrieved a plastic key card from her purse. “I’m sure he’s very nice, but if he’s a pencil pusher, my guess is that he’s boooorrrring-just like every other guy you’ve dated,” she added beneath her breath.
Stuart was stable, responsible and dependable. Not that she expected her sister to understand Rebecca’s need to find a man with the kind of qualities and traits their own father had lacked. Rebecca had done her best to protect Celeste from the harsh realities of their lives after their mother’s death so she’d never been truly aware of their father’s erratic spending sprees, which had eventually put their house into foreclosure and had forced him to file for bankruptcy.
Celeste had lived a carefree life, never needing to worry about money as a child because Rebecca made sure her sister always had whatever she needed. But for Rebecca, the loss of the only home she’d ever known had been absolutely devastating. Even though her father had died of a heart attack over ten years ago, that event in her life had cemented a deep determination to make sure she never found herself in that kind of dire financial situation again. And that meant finding a man who knew how to manage money much better than her own father had.
Celeste opened the door to her room, and Rebecca followed her inside, once again stunned by what awaited them. She stared in silent wonder at the extravagance of the suite-from the elegant furniture, to the richly textured draperies, to the opulent-looking decor. Everywhere there were fresh flowers arranged in expensive crystal vases, their intoxicating scent filling the air around her.
“Wow,” Rebecca breathed, admiring the elaborate crown molding framing the ceiling of the living room, which gave way to cream-and-gold patterned wallpaper. “Greg’s family certainly didn’t spare any expense on the bridal suite, did they?”
“Will you stop already?” Celeste said in exasperation as she set her designer straw handbag on a glass-topped table.
Rebecca grinned. “Hey, you’ve had three years to get used to living this kind of life. I’m just getting my first glimpse of ‘Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.’”
Winking at her sister, Rebecca looped her arm through Celeste’s and guided them toward the open French doors that led to a terrace. Once they reached the wrought-iron railing, they had a perfect view of the landscaped courtyard below, as well as the rolling fairways of the resort’s golf course. Beyond that they could see the faint outline of the shops and boutiques that lined one of the main streets in town.
“So, what’s on your agenda for the afternoon?” Rebecca asked, hoping that they’d have some alone time to spend together before everything turned crazy for the wedding.
“I’m meeting with Greg’s mom to go over some of the last-minute wedding and reception details with the planner,” Celeste said, her expression apologetic. “I have no idea how long everything is going to take.”
Rebecca experienced a familiar stab of regret, along with a small pang of jealousy she valiantly tried to shake off. The past few months had been difficult for her, especially having to watch her sister bond with Greg’s mother, Carole, over the wedding preparations, when Rebecca wished it were her instead.
When Celeste had first announced her engagement, Rebecca had wanted to be a part of the planning, but with her work schedule and the Markhams footing the bill, it had been easier for Carole to accompany Celeste during those outings. Not that Carole ever made Rebecca feel unwelcome when she had gotten the chance to join them, but it was always a painful reminder that she was losing her sister to another family, and soon Celeste would no longer be a part of Rebecca’s life on a daily basis.
“That’s fine,” Rebecca said, and swallowed the tight knot of emotion gathering in her throat. “I understand.”
“Thank you.” Celeste appeared relieved. “While I’m gone, I need you to do me a favor, if you can.”
Rebecca squeezed her sister’s hand. “Anything, you know that.” And she meant every word. There wasn’t a thing she wouldn’t do for her sister.
“There’s a brand new candy shop a few blocks from here on Larchmont Street that makes the most incredible chocolates and confections,” Celeste said, her expression turning to one of heavenly bliss, since chocolate was one of her greatest weaknesses. “When I was here last week I placed a special order for some petits fours for tonight’s cocktail get-together with the bridal party and family. I was hoping you could pick them up for me so that would be one less thing I have to worry about today.”
Rebecca figured running the errand for her sister was better than sitting alone in her hotel room for the next few hours thumbing through a magazine. “Consider it done.”
“You’re the best!” Celeste wrapped her arms around Rebecca in a warm, exuberant hug. “The shop is right down the street and close enough to walk to, or you can take a cab instead, if you like.”
“I think I’ll walk.” Rebecca wasn’t about to miss the chance to enjoy such a gorgeous, sunny day by taking a cab ride. “What’s the place called?”
“Sinfully Sweet. And I can personally guarantee that the shop lives up to its name.”
Rebecca was definitely intrigued by her sister’s comment. While chocolate wasn’t one of her basic food groups as it was for Celeste, she did enjoy the occasional sweet treat.
Together, they took the elevator back down to the lobby, then Rebecca waved good-bye to her sister, heading out of the hotel and down the resort’s entry road that led to the main streets. In no particular hurry to reach the candy shop, she strolled along casually, taking in the sights while enjoying the warmth of the sun on her skin and the slight breeze tousling her hair.
When she reached Larchmont Street she made a right as her sister had instructed, and sauntered past
