Nina’s eyes went round. “Wait, your what? You’re engaged?”
The wonder in Nina’s voice was too much to ignore. Elle liked that she’d shocked her, proved her wrong, even though she hadn’t really at all. She couldn’t find it in her to take it back. Not yet. “Yes, it’s all pretty new, so we haven’t announced it yet. And, of course, I didn’t want to take attention away from your wedding plans.”
Lane looked at her, his face revealing nothing, but she could feel him vibrating with tension. She smiled at Lane. “Hon, Nina’s getting married in two weeks. To my ex-husband.”
Awareness dawned on Lane’s face, his lips parting. “Oh, that’s…wow.”
That was one word for it. “Yep. She was here to invite me to the wedding. It seems the date’s been moved up.”
Nina had a pasted-on smile, the McCray way. Pretend in front of others. Everything was great. Everything was fine. We’re the bestest sisters ever! That whole adultery thing is so water under the bridge. “So you’ll be there, then? And obviously, Lane, you should come, too. I’m sure our mother would be thrilled to hear Elle’s engaged. She’s always worried Elle is wasting away her best years out here in the boonies.”
“Yes,” Elle said, deadpan. “The pre-Botox years.”
Lane’s gaze flicked to her and then he turned to her sister, his grin as genuine as Elle had ever seen it, clearly a way better actor than she was. “I’ll have to check my schedule, but that sounds great.”
“What is it that you do?” Nina asked.
“He’s a therapist here,” Elle filled in. “And a student.”
“A student? I thought you looked young,” Nina said sweetly.
Elle gritted her teeth.
“Not that young,” Lane said, his tone buttery smooth, but Elle didn’t miss the sardonic undertone. He was losing his patience with this charade.
“Well, Nina,” Elle said, breaking in. “I told you I had ten minutes and that was true. Email me the details and we’ll figure everything out.” She put her hand on her sister’s elbow and lowered her voice as she guided her to the door. “Does Mom need anything before then? Is she happy with her doctors? I know a good surg—”
“We’ve got it covered,” Nina said peevishly. “Henry has taken care of everything. We don’t need your help. I just want you to put on a happy face and make her believe all is well with us at the wedding. I can’t believe you didn’t even bother to tell her you were engaged. You know that would’ve thrilled her.”
“It only happened a week ago. The ring isn’t even sized yet. Plus, I haven’t had time to call.”
Nina stepped outside with Elle and turned to her, pinning her with her gaze. “Don’t back out on this. I’m going home and telling her that you’ll be there. Don’t you dare let her down. She needs this.”
A pang of guilt hit Elle. She’d never been very close with her mom. Her mother had been married to her career and not all that interested in the day-to-day drudgery of motherhood, but her mom was also the one who’d shown her a woman could be the strong one in the family, the breadwinner. They’d at least connected there. So though it was a tenuous relationship, there was love there. She wanted her mom to be well. “I’ll be there.”
“And no drama. Henry isn’t going to bother you, so you don’t bother him.”
Elle’s nails bit into her palms. “I wouldn’t waste the breath.”
“Right.” Nina sniffed. “I’ll email you the details. Plan to come down for the whole weekend. Rehearsal supper is Friday night. Mom would like us all to stay at the house.”
A whole weekend at her family’s house? Shoot me. Just take me out to pasture and put me out of my misery. “Whatever.”
Nina smiled but it held no warmth. “’Til then.”
Her sister turned, hiked her purse onto her shoulder, and walked toward her Mercedes with her shoulders back like an evil queen. Elle shook her head. She remembered when they used to raid her mom’s closet to make costumes and do that walk, pretending they were ruler of the land. Now they were the heads of warring kingdoms.
Elle let out a tired sound and turned back to the house. She didn’t want to go in. How the hell was she supposed to explain this mess to Lane? He was going to be beyond pissed. He had every reason to be. But what else could she do? She straightened her spine and headed back into the kitchen to face him.
She found him sitting on her island, drinking her coffee. His attention swung to her the second she stepped inside.
“Lane—”
“Don’t you mean honey?”
She pressed her thumb and forefinger to her temples. “Shit. I’m sorry. I don’t know what got into me.”
“So last night we can’t be friends in public and now we’re engaged.”