Chapter 5
Alot worse. Worse than a dinner spent talking to one’s sister about a wedding one loathed the idea of attending.
Worse than agreeing to dress in a clingy bridesmaid gown on the big day that would show way too much boobage.
Worse even than having to sit across from Ted during dinner while he leered when no one was looking, still acting like an attentive and loving fiancé while one’s sister simpered over him.
Ugh.
Justine glared at her mother, who pretended not to see her glaring, and stewed because she knew better yet had still accepted her mother’s invitation.
Sitting between bachelor number one and bachelor number two, two of her father’s up and comers at Ferrera-Hind Wealth Management, she tried to relax, telling herself her mother had promised not to try to set her up. Was she reading too much into this dinner?
She really had planned to walk right back out the door when they’d arrived ten minutes after her. But her mother had implored her not to make a scene. “It’s not always about you, dear,” Jeanine had quietly pointed out.
Plus, her father had been behaving so well tonight.
A kiss on the cheek without all the unwelcome advice about her career.
Angela and their mother had refrained from asking after Justine’s dreaded ex, whom they’d all liked.
And even Scott—Angela’s husband—had been pleasant at first greeting instead of treating her like a wad of gum stuck to the bottom of his shoe.
Then the proverbial sound of trumpets heralded the coming apocalypse—the dinner bell and forced conversation.
“That’s the timer,” her mother cheerfully announced, as if she’d cooked their meal. The catering staff came out moments later with their salads and wine.
Used to fancy dinners where the caterers came and went, Justine didn’t think much of her parents’ wealth.
They hadn’t been born rich. They’d had to work for it.
But somehow, raising their three children, they’d forgotten how the average person lived.
Something she knew quite well, living independently, and appreciated.
Justine made her own choices about life, living like a pauper, yes, but on her own two feet. Unlike her sisters, who didn’t hurt financially but also had to obey their parents in regards to their professional and personal lives or be threatened to be cut off.
“Thanks for coming Cal, Nick,” her father said in a booming voice before shooting her an expectant look.
“So glad for the invite, Mr. Ferrera.” Cal—Bachelor Number One—said.
“Yes, thank you,” came from Nick—Bachelor Number Two.
The pair had dark hair, similar builds, and politeness swimming in their DNA.
“We always love having Dad’s people for a visit,” Justine agreed and gave the perfunctory fake smile, which eased the grim expression on her father’s face.
He turned to Scott and started on the finance talk, including Cal and Nick.
Not to be ignored, Angela put her two cents in whenever a lull fell, and the dinner passed pleasantly enough.
A Seattle Surf and Turf platter—King Salmon and Kobe filet—sat in the middle of the table filled with mashed potatoes, rice pilaf, asparagus, roasted beets with goat cheese drizzled with a dark vinaigrette, honey glazed carrots, and a few more delectable dishes that made Justine drool.
Heck, she hadn’t been eating this well in.
..well, since the last time she’d been to the house.
She concentrated on her meal, doing her best not to fall on it like a starving woman, and gave occasional murmurs of interest when Mallory gushed over wedding plans.
Fortunately, Ted seemed more interested in her father’s conversation than his fiancée’s, so she was able to ignore him.
Midway through the meal, Cal and Nick began talking to her more, asking more personal questions.
“Oh, she’s single,” her mother sang, having apparently paid more attention to Justine than she’d thought. “She broke up with her ex-boyfriend a while ago.”
Officially, two weeks ago. But technically, they’d been over long before that.
“Mom,” Justine growled.
“Oh, honey, you know you’re over him.”
“I am, but this isn’t something we need to be talking about over dinner.”
Ted snorted. “You’re too good for him. You’ll find someone else.”
Mallory beamed up at her fiancé. “She is, Ted. You’re so right.”
“I’m not looking for anyone else.” Justine fought to keep her voice pleasant while refusing to look at the men on either side of her. “I’m happy living on my own and being single.”
“Good for you,” Cal said, surprising her. “So many people jump from one relationship to the next. My brother did that. Married too quickly and is getting divorced next month.”
“Bummer.” Nick shook his head. “But I don’t think being with someone is a bad thing. You get all the feels and meet needs. Take the financial aspect, for instance.”
Her father leaned in, his eyes sparkling. “Yes, let’s talk about financial stability, Nick. Go on.”
Justine swallowed a sigh and took a long sip of her wine while Nick and her father traded common investment strategies overlooked by most of the workforce.
Then Angela explained how she and Scott had been saving, which had Ted asking more questions and Mallory trying to keep up while their mother glowed with approval.
Keeping quiet felt safe, so Justine finished her meal then excused herself for a side trip upstairs, needing a break.
She dialed Katie but had to leave a voice message.
In a low voice, she said, “The next time I even think about going to my parents for Sunday dinner, tie me up and shove me in my closet. Ring me later. Gotta go.”
She heard Mallory calling for her and quickly pocketed her phone. “I’m coming. Just had to respond to a message.”
“What message?” Mallory entered the hallway where Justine had been hiding.
Like her sisters, Mallory had dark hair and dark eyes.
Pretty, she and Angela took after their mother, their looks softer, whereas Justine had the eagle eyes and features of her father.
Which was a joke, because clearly Angela was more bird of prey and Justine more chicken.
“Oh, nothing important. Just something Katie sent.”
“How’s she doing?” Mallory looped her arm around Justine’s and tugged her back toward the stairs.
“She’s good. Still likes working for the company. But she got a new boss, so she’s not dealing with a jerk like I am.”
Mallory gave her a sympathetic squeeze. “That’s tough. I’m lucky Dad put me with a good team.” She leaned closer. “I think I’d lose it if I had to work under Angela.”
Justine chuckled. “Hard-ass Hanover’s oldest is a real chip off the block. I’ve heard that so many times before.”
“No kidding.” Mallory walked down with her. “I know you weren’t expecting Cal or Nick tonight. But honestly, I don’t think Mom’s trying to set you up. Dad had something come up today he was working on with the new guys, and then Angela mentioned inviting them to dinner.”
“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.
She joined her mom and sisters in the living room, a lovely area decorated in pale creams with gold accents.
The subtle flair of wealth, sophistication, and majesty didn’t so much calm her as she sat down but forced her to acknowledge a grand effort had been made to soothe and entertain, so she should stop resisting.
“I love the redesign, Mom.” Justine sipped at the cup of tea Angela handed her, though secretly she preferred the room’s previous blue tones.
Angela glanced around, her lips pursed. Justine’s oldest sister wore her hair up in a stylish updo and looked both elegant and professional, her black business suit and white blouse pristine, her black pumps gorgeous—and expensive.
To go along with her pricey attire, her icy gaze looked more black than brown, Angela never less than 99% intense about life.
She raised a perfectly sculpted brow. “The redesign is gorgeous. Would Mom have it any other way?”
The girls laughed, their mother blushing with pleasure.
The family bonding, even though it felt a little stilted, was nice.
Then Angela ruined it by opening her big, fat mouth. “Before we get involved in the wedding plans, Justine, what do you think of Cal and Nick? They couldn’t take their eyes off you all through dinner. And I happen to know they’re both single and loaded.”
Their mother perked up. “I saw that too! Oh, Justine, honey. What do you think? You do need a date to the wedding, after all.”
Freakin’ Angela.