McKenzie Cousins Box Set 1

“I can’t get away just yet, but I’ll go soon…maybe.”

“I know you’re afraid of being rejected, but if you don’t try then you’ll never know…and what if he gets married before you get your butt in gear and go?”

Her face goes white. “I never thought of that. Oh my God, what if he’s already married and that’s why he stopped answering my messages?”

“Okay, look. I’ll ask Sirena if she’s heard anything. Garrett’s best friends with his dad, right? So if there has been a wedding, then wouldn’t they have been invited to it? And so far they haven’t been to one, otherwise, one of us would have known about it.”

She nods. “You’re making sense.”

I roll my eyes. “I always do!”

“God, I feel drained now. I have a meeting in ten minutes as well.” She checks her phone. “I’m going to go and clean up.” At the door, she turns around and says, “Don’t forget that dinner we’ve all been invited to tomorrow night.”

I look at her, not having a clue. “The one I told you about when the invite came and you said you’d go. The one I also emailed you the details about. The one I asked your secretary to add to your calendar.”

“Oh that one!” I comment still not having a clue.

She shakes her head. “You’re ridiculous. You have no idea what I’m talking about…just make sure you’re there.” And after a shake of her finger in my direction, she disappears out the door.

I sag into the sofa feeling relief that she calmed down. I may be her twin, but my sister having a man in her life makes me feel weird.

Shuddering, I move back to my desk and notice a message from Brooke, so, smiling, I swipe the screen and see what she’s sent me.

Brooke: Meeting my dad at 8 tomorrow evening to talk about Carrie. R U free to come with me?

I quickly open my calendar on my computer and curse. No way can I be in two places at once.

Me: Charlotte has reminded me that I’m at a function tomorrow evening, was going to ask you to go with me.

Brooke: I could meet you there afterwards? I’m hoping it won’t take long.

Me: That’s a date. Wish I could be there with you though.

Brooke: Please, don’t worry. We’ll talk when you come home. Love you xx

Me: Love you more xx

Brooke: Not as much as me xx

Me: :)

Still looking at her messages, I find that I can’t wipe the smile off my face. I don’t want to either.

53

Brooke

My surprise had been apparent when I’d called my father about the visit from Carrie, and he’d told me he would come to town and talk to me, face-to-face. The entire time I waited, my nerves had eaten at me, even now, as I wait at the bar in Garrett’s signature hotel, I find myself conjuring up a million different scenarios of why Carrie has been acting this way.

Unlike his usual punctuality, he’s running thirty minutes late so I quickly message Michael to let him know because I know he’ll worry, wondering where I am. I’d rather be with him but I also need to know what is going on. It will also be nice to see my father.

I glance around and avoid catching anyone’s eye while I sip my cosmopolitan. I’m not sure what he’s going to be telling me, but I have a feeling I’m not going to like it so I’m hoping the alcohol will hopefully numb whatever I’m about to find out.

I’m on my fifth by the time my father arrives, an hour later.

He groans. “Please tell me you’re not drunk?”

“I’m not drunk, but I think I’m on the way,” I reply and smirk. “You should have arrived on time.”