“The karma of the universe,” Lilac said solemnly. “There are no accidents.” Which created another avalanche of tears.

“Juliet filled me in on everything,” Vivienne finally said. “Tessa, don’t marry him!”

“We know what you’re doing,” Juliet said with all the conviction of telling a patient on the ledge not to jump. “Don’t do it.”

Aw, no. This was just what he’d hoped to avoid. Three sobbing sisters.

“And you,” Juliet said, whirling on Leo next. “My sister would never marry you willingly! You used to laugh at her in high school. You tormented her about those ridiculous GPAs. How dare you bully her into this?” She turned back to Tessa. “Did he threaten Mom in some way? Because I don’t know what else could possibly make you do this.”

Leo raked his hand through his hair, took a few deep breaths, and faced Tessa.

“You’re right,” Tessa said to Juliet.

Okay, this was it. He might as well pull up a seat and join Jack in playing with the Hot Wheels because it was over. Decimated by sisterhood.

“You’re right that this looks…suspicious.” Tessa spoke very calmly, like the eldest sibling that she was. “And you’re right that this is about the bakery. We are going to save it.” Her voice wavered a little at the word save. “And the restaurant. As a team. But you’ve got it wrong.” She turned to Leo, looking him square in the eyes. “I—I’m in love with Leo. And he loves me, too.”

There were gasps as all eyes shifted to him. Tessa’s were imploring him to stick to the script. She stood there, spine steeled, resolute. He’d give her that.

He swallowed and blocked out everyone but Tessa. She looked…miserable. And resigned.

He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t go through with this.

“Tessa, I—”

“Tell them, Leo,” she urged, her voice more steady. “Tell them. About us.”

“About…us?” He didn’t have a clue what she was asking him for.

She took up both his hands. Hers were clammy and cold, but they gripped his like a vise. “We’ve always competed with each other, but that’s because we’re equals. Family is always the most important thing—to both of us. We’ve agreed to help each other achieve our dreams.” She turned to her sisters. “And…and somewhere along the way, we fell in love with each other.”

“Did you write those vows?” Jack patted his pockets. “Because I didn’t get a copy.”

Jack was right. The words were touching. And beautiful. They filled him with regret that they were wasted on a sham marriage.