‘I know, and I’m proud of you. I also love you and want to protect you.’
‘I don’t need protecting. I love him, Katie. Dan is—he’s incredible. He’s funny, he’s kind, he’s so laid-back it’s unbelievable, frankly, and he kisses like a god. I never thought I could feel this way.’
‘You can’t marry a guy because he’s good in bed.’
It had been so long since she’d been to bed with anyone, good or otherwise, that she probably wasn’t the best judge of that either.
‘That’s all you heard from what I just said? It’s so much more than that. He’s perfect.’
The alarm bells in Katie’s head were deafening. ‘No one is perfect. If he seems perfect it’s because he’s working hard to hide something. Remember Sam.’
‘I’ve just told you I’m getting married and you have to mention Sam? Do you really think that’s good timing?’
‘It’s perfect timing. You adored Sam. And, by the way, you thought he was “The One” right up until the point you discovered he’d slept with two of your friends.’
‘People sometimes behave badly. It’s a fact of life.’
‘You’re excusing him?’
‘No, not really—but we were at college. People go a little crazy at college.’
‘He hurt you, Rosie. You cried so hard it triggered the worst asthma attack you’ve ever had. I will never forget that crazy drive to Oxford. And lying to Mum because you begged me not to tell her.’
Her mother knew less than fifty per cent of the things that had happened to Rosie since she’d left home. Sometimes Katie felt the burden of that.
‘I didn’t want to worry her. I’ve done more than enough of that in my lifetime.’
‘And then there was—what was his name? James. He insisted you paid whenever you went out together.’
‘He didn’t have much money.’
‘He was a leech.’ And Katie had had to lend Rosie money, but she didn’t raise that. It wasn’t about money. It was about judgement.
‘Dan is different.’ Rosie was stubborn. ‘You’ll see it the moment you meet him.’
‘Great. When can I meet him?’
The sooner the better, as far as she was concerned. Engagements could be broken, couldn’t they? Relationships ended all the time—particularly Rosie’s.
‘That’s why I’m phoning. We’re getting married at Christmas, right here in Aspen. Can you think of anything more romantic? Blue skies and snow…’
‘This Christmas? The Christmas that is happening in less than a month? Are you kidding me?’
‘Why is everyone so surprised?’
‘Because generally you get more than three weeks’ notice for a wedding and you’ve only known him for a couple of months.’
An image of Sally’s bruised, tear-drenched face slid into brain. ‘There were no signs. No clues.’
‘Does Mum know?’
‘Yes. I called her first. She was thrilled. So was Dad.’
Katie was fairly sure her mother would have had an anxiety attack. ‘What’s the hurry? Why not wait a while?’
‘Because we don’t want to wait! We want to do this as soon as possible. And I really want you to be there. But don’t bring the doom and gloom.’
‘Sorry.’ Katie swallowed. The last thing she wanted was to hurt her sister. ‘It’s been a tough few weeks at work, that’s all. Ignore me. Of course I’ll be at your wedding. You’re not just my sister, you’re my best friend. I wouldn’t miss it for anything. Forgive me.’