“Really?”

They stopped at the base of the steps. Mallory looked around, then admitted, “Well, that’s what Angela said, but I think Mom hinted to her at how nice it would be to have a big get-together tonight since you were coming. Um, you know, with more men at the table to round out us girls.”

Justine groaned.

Mallory quickly added, “Look, I get that you want to be alone. But I know you were bummed out when Mitch dumped you.”

Justine counted to ten in her head before repeating, “He didn’t dump me. I got tired of his crap and broke up with him.”

“Sure, sure.”

Obviously, no one believed the truth. But how could they when Mitch had been the perfect boyfriend? Successful, independent, handsome, smart. A doctor. He never showed them the clingy side of his personality, the side that constantly demanded Justine be more and do more to make him happy, no matter what she wanted. Life with Mitch was all about Mitch. Ugh. Talk about exhausting.

Mallory drew Justine toward the living area, where the ladies gathered after the meal. “Anyway, I really appreciate you helping out with the wedding.” There wasn’t that much for Justine to do since Mallory’s wedding planners, including their mother, had everything well in hand. Justine basically had to show up for a few pre and post nuptial events. “I’m so excited! Just one more month and I’ll be Mrs. Mallory Cochran.”

She hated to rain on her sister’s parade, but Justine had no idea what her sister saw in Ted other than a paycheck and dimples. He wasn’t bad looking, but he’d have to look like a virtual Adonis to make up for his wandering eye. She hadn’t been the only one he’d subtly come on to; she’d seen him flirt with several of the administration assistants at Ferrara-Hind, and even Katie once when they’d run into him in Queen Anne.

“You’re sure you’re ready to get married?” Justine asked. “You’re only a few years older than me. Still so young. And you could have any guy you wanted. You know that. Are you sure you’re ready to settle down with just one man?”

Mallory blushed. Odd that Justine had always felt protective of her older, more vulnerable sister. Such a sweetheart, yet so easy to manipulate. So very unlike their mother or Angela.

And me? Am I that easy to control? I did come to Sunday night dinner, and I know better.

Her Aunt Rosie popped in her mind with familiar advice. Relax, girl. Sometimes you just need to smile and mean it.

In her place, Aunt Rosie would have flirted with both Cal and Nick, made plans to take one if not both of them home, and enjoyed the dinner her parents had shared without missing a beat. Hmm. Maybe Aunt Rosie and Katie were right. Maybe Justine was a little too tense all the time, making problems where there didn’t need to be any. Dinner had been delicious and free. And if the conversation and company hadn’t been all to her liking, no one had done anything inappropriate or rude.