“That’s the thing about him, Lola. He likes to pretend. That perfect mask he wears is custom fit so no one can see the lines. But once he takes it off... he’s just an angry little boy running from any responsibility. Has he run from you yet?”
“Stop.” I took a step forward, already pissed off at my sister.
Before Lola could answer, my sister continued, “If he hasn’t, don’t worry... he will. He does it to everyone. Isn’t that right, Eric?” Jocelyn turned to Lola’s brother.
Eric wasn’t Lola. Lola just looked confused and hurt by what my sister said, but Eric didn’t.
He smiled. “Wow, you know so much about your brother. It’s almost as if you’re related to him.” He leaned back on the island counter and folded his arms over his chest. “But we know nothing about you. Have you ever run from the people you care about? Or are you the life of the party who has swaths of people surrounding you?”
My eyes widened. No one, and I mean no one, not even my mom, had ever stood up to my sister. I would never say a bad word about Eric ever again.
Sure, I had fights with my sister—let her get to me and start yelling that she was a psycho—but to battle her at wits like that...? That was on another level.
My sister’s eyes darkened, and the temperature in the room dropped as I felt a storm was about to erupt. My hairs rose on my arms, and I thought about grabbing Lola and running out of the room to save her.
Eric brought this on himself.
“Why would someone who has all this...” she waved her arms around the room, “want to know anything about me? Let me guess, so you can see if you can use me—either in the bedroom or with my bank account. That’s all you care about, right?”
Eric flinched, which was a mistake.
“Jocelyn, Eric invited you into his home. Please be respectful of that.” I felt I had kept my mouth shut for too long, and they both needed to rein it in. “I think you owe Eric and Lola an apology.” I walked up to Lola and pulled her away from my sister.
Jocelyn straightened and sighed. “You’re so right, Jenner. I’m just a little cranky from my trip. Please forgive me.” She grinned.
That was where my sister sucked people in. She was beautiful, and out of all my siblings, she got the looks. So many guys fell at her feet since she was a teenager, putting up with her evil for far too long. And when she smiled, it was as if the angles were singing.
Lola sighed and nodded. “I understand. Don’t get around me when I’m hungry.” She laughed.
My sister walked right up to Lola, and I tensed. She outstretched her hand, shaking Lola’s. “It really is a pleasure to meet you. I knew instantly when you walked into the room that you and my brother were meant for each other.”
No one told her I was with Lola.
I narrowed my eyes at my sister. She was laying a trap. My problem was I didn’t know what the trap was.
“That’s why I am planning their wedding. It’s good you’re here, Jocelyn. Perhaps you’d like to be maid of honor?” Eric’s smile was back.
“Wait a minute—” Lola held up her hands but was cut off by my sister.
“That would be the best. I’d love to be the matron of honor at a wedding for which I just met the would-be bride. Sounds perfect.” My sister laid on the sarcasm rather thickly.
“Then it’s settled.”
They both left the room abruptly, as if they were planning to step outside to throw down.
“This wedding seems to be moving forward, and I haven’t even said yes.” Lola stood there with her hands on her hips.
“And I haven’t even proposed.”
Chapter 14
Lola
I ran from room to room, making sure everything was in place.
“Did you lose something?” Lydia called out from downstairs.
I dashed into the bathroom to check my hair one last time. It was down, and I had used a hot iron to give it some waves. I looked attractive, or at least I thought I looked alright.