His sister bounced into the room, obviously in a good mood. Her cheery smile matched her bright pink dress.
“Hey, Chloe.”
She smiled wide. “Hi!” She shut the door behind her and sat down in a chair across from him. “Good time? Bad time?”
“For you? Always a good time.” He let go of his stress and focused on his sister. Rising, he walked around the desk and sat on the edge. “How’s the baby shower planning going?”
Though Aurora had had the baby early, Chloe was going ahead with the shower since it was as much of a way to introduce Aurora as family as it was to celebrate the baby she’d named Leah.
“Great. I have Faith Dare doing the specialty desserts,” she said of Jason Dare’s wife.
Linc had stayed in touch with Braden and Willow, keeping them up to date on Aurora and how she was fitting in here. The Prescotts, it turned out, were part of the interesting Dare family, something he’d learned from Chloe. She’d been curious about the people who’d taken her sister in, then she’d been fascinated by the Dare family tree. Faith was married to Jason Dare, a cousin of Austin’s who lived in New York.
From there Chloe had discovered Faith’s Sweet Treats in the city, and with Willow and Braden coming to the baby shower, Chloe had obviously decided to bring Braden’s family into the mix.
“Sounds like you have everything under control,” he said, glad she was enjoying the preparation.
She nodded. “I definitely do,” she said, suddenly squirming in her seat, a habit left over from when she was a child.
Chloe had a tell and couldn’t lie worth a damn. “Okay, spill it,” Linc said. “What else is on your mind?”
She sighed. “I didn’t want to ask you this sooner because it felt wrong, what with Dad’s surprise passing and it feeling so soon.” She swallowed hard, clearly struggling.
Of all the siblings, Linc knew their father best because they’d worked together, but they hadn’t been close. And Kenneth hadn’t understood his writer or rock star sons. Chloe had looked up to him because he was their father, but as soon as she was old enough to catch on to their mother’s misery, she’d shut their father out, too.
“It’s okay. Whatever it is, you can say it.” Linc didn’t want her to feel she couldn’t come to him.
Twisting her hands in front of her, she forced herself to speak. “Dad was going to walk me down the aisle because it was tradition. But I’m closer to you anyway and now he’s gone.” She glanced up, her eyes watery. “Linc, will you walk me down the aisle?”
He smiled at his baby sister, who was clearly no longer a baby. Although he didn’t think Owen was good enough for her, the wedding was set, and Linc wanted her to be happy. “Of course I will.”
“Thank you!” She popped up from her chair and hugged him, nearly knocking him over in her exuberance.
“Did you think I’d say no?” he asked as she stood up so he could catch his balance.
“No.” She shook her head. “But I know how you feel about Owen.” Looking up at him with those familiar blue eyes, she all but dared him to say something negative about her fiancé.
He drew a deep breath and took a moment to phrase things so she didn’t get hurt. “I just want the right man for you,” he said.
“And Owen is that man. We have a lot of things in common. He makes me feel safe, and unlike Dad, he’s a good man who won’t cheat.”
Chloe seemed so damned certain and sincere, but Linc wasn’t sure. If she was marrying the man for safety’s sake, the tax attorney might fit the bill, but his vibrant sister needed so much more. He hoped she wasn’t making a mistake.
Still, he schooled his features and forced a smile. “If you’re happy, then I’m glad.”
Her shoulders dropped and she relaxed. “So who’s your plus-one for the wedding?” she asked as he lowered himself into his chair.
What a day to ask him when he was still reeling over Angelica’s unexpected visit. “I’ll be coming with Jordan.”
His sister rolled her eyes. “Of course Jordan is coming. She’s invited but who’s your date?”
He looked his sister in the eye and repeated his answer. “Jordan.”
Her eyes opened wide. “You and Jordan?” She shook her head as if she’d misunderstood. “Oh, I get it. You want to fend off all the single ladies. That makes sense. Smart, Linc. Very smart.” She laughed until she saw he was deadly serious. “Whoa. Wait. You and Jordan?” she asked again. “Does she know she’s your date?”
It was Linc’s turn to chuckle. “No, actually, she doesn’t.”
“Linc!”
“She doesn’t know she’s my date to Aurora’s shower either.” He shrugged but he had no plans to explain things to his sister. “I’d appreciate it if you’d let me work things out my own way.”