Shame: A Stepbrother Romance by Emma Soule Page A

out of my mouth. What’s wrong with me? I sound like a suspicious mother. He laughs, which only makes it worse.
    “Of course not. I went to the other room. So, about tomorrow. What time should I pick you up?”
    It takes me a while to respond. My brain is paralyzed. Why would he lie? Did I just imagine the whole thing? Was that even him in that cafe or my mind is so obsessed with him now, I keep seeing his face in complete strangers?
    “I don’t think there’s a need for that. I’m the maid of honor, remember?” I say and my voice is trembling and raspy. “It’s best if we meet there, since I’ll be going to Ashleigh’s first and we’ll leave together from there.”
    “Alright, whatever works,” he says. “Hey, sis?”
    “Uh-huh?”
    “Thanks for inviting me. It would be good for me to meet some people and spend some time with your friends. I can’t wait to see you in your maid of honor’s dress.”
    I want to remind him he invited himself, but he is being so nice, I can’t find the necessary defiance. Or maybe my sick brain has got worked up by his last words.
    “I’m glad you’re coming too,” I say dumbly instead. At least I can use the opportunity to expose his lie and try to figure out why he would be lying in the first place.
    I hang up and finally go to the front. Everyone’s expecting me and they are hungry and irritable. The book was a terrible choice and all I have to offer is bland tea. Great! I’m in for a treat.
    Too bad I can’t even come up with some creative way of appeasing the tension by the fireplace. My mind is no longer here. It’s already jumped into tomorrow and it’s already crafting what I should say to tease some information out of my mysterious new brother. Or crush…
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER NINE
     
     
    It’s a miracle that the sky has cleared up just in time for the wedding. Yesterday even the weather forecast wasn’t too optimistic, but it looks like nature has conspired to perform one of its wonders and the day is gorgeous.
    I can never figure out why Ashleigh and Sean chose this odd November date for their big day. With all the other weddings of friends and Facebook acquaintances completed by the end of September, I had assumed no one got married after that and my news feed would be reserved for the Halloween costumes and the turkeys.
    I know Ashleigh is not pregnant, so there’s no rush on that account, so is it possible that they just love each other so much, they can’t wait until spring and prefer to risk a gloomy, rainy wedding day than spend another minute not officially each other’s? I wish I had something like that in my life. As much as I like to think that the bookstore and my books are all I need to be satisfied, in moments like this one, I feel the dull ache of something missing more palpably.
    It’s not abnormally warm for the season and the air is clear and crisp the way it only is in the fall, but the sky is spotless and bright blue and the weak sunshine provides a natural mood lift.
    Everything is going according to plan. I’ve taken my position just inside the club house doors and I can hear the shuffling of the bridesmaids’ dresses behind me. At the back of the row are Ashleigh and her father and we are all waiting for the coordinator’s signal to step out and walk the short distance to the altar.
    I’m wearing a long emerald satin gown and a fluffy faux fur wrap, and a set of exquisite silver and jade jewelry set is hanging from my neck and ears. I’m holding a delicate bouquet of lily of the valley and its refreshing scent tickles my nostrils. My hair is tied up in a complex updo and though I would have much preferred it loose, I had to obey the bride’s wishes regarding… well, everything. My makeup is also professionally done and I haven’t felt so beautiful and different in my life. I look like the opposite of my usual self.
    While we are waiting for the signal, I scan the crowd through the glass doors, looking