Chapter 4
JOELLE
Iarrive in Italy for my brother’s wedding.
The villa is exactly the kind of place Kitty would choose for her influencer wedding.
Tuscan countryside. Rolling vineyards. Stone walls covered in ivy.
Cypress trees lining the drive. It's beautiful in that way that feels designed to be photographed from every angle.
The car drops me at the front entrance, and I'm immediately hit by the heat. London was gray and cool when I left. Italy is sun and warmth and the smell of lavender. I grab my suitcase from the trunk and head inside.
"Jo!" Collette appears in the doorway, arms open, grin wide. My sister looks different. Tanned and relaxed. Happy in a way that makes me suspicious immediately. She hugs me tight. "You made it."
"Barely, the flight was delayed. Where's Mom?"
"Inside with the wedding planner. Kitty's having another crisis. Something about the napkins."
I groan. "How bad is she?"
"Full bridezilla. It's exhausting." Collette grabs my suitcase. "Come on. I'll show you to our room. It's gorgeous. You're going to love it."
We walk through the villa, with high ceilings, terracotta floors, and antique furniture that probably costs more than my flat.
Everything is pristine. Perfect. Ready to be posted online with a hundred hashtags.
Our room overlooks the vineyard, the beds are massive, draped in white linen with a ton of pillows.
French doors open onto a balcony. You can see nothing but rolling hills.
"This is ridiculous," I say.
"I know. Kitty rented the entire place for the week. There are like twenty bedrooms." Collette drops my suitcase on the bench at the foot of the bed. "Mom and I got here yesterday. Felix and Harper arrive this afternoon."
“I wonder what she is like?”
Collette grins. "She seems cool on social media. Felix is smitten. It's adorable and kind of gross."
“As long as he is happy and she doesn’t fuck his best friend, then she’s an improvement from the last one.”
Collette nods. "Agreed. Plus, she’s like a billionaire. She owns one of the best PR firms in New York. She's the GOAT of PR and influencer marketing. She's also a super famous socialite. Her family owns Rose Hotels."
“You sound like a fan girl.”
“I am. She’s just so cool.” Collette sits on the bed. Watching me.
"So," she says. Too casual.
I know that tone. "So what?”
"You look different."
"I'm hungover. Went out last night with Polly, Hazel, and Tate."
Collette eyes me suspiciously. "You never go out. But that's not it. It's something else." She tilts her head. Studying me. "Did you get laid?"
I freeze with a dress halfway out of my suitcase.
Collette gasps. "Oh my god. You did. You totally did.”
"I don't know what you're talking about." I ignore the thumping in my chest.
"Joelle Marie St. Pierre. You did." She's grinning now. Delighted. "Who? When? Tell me everything."
"There's nothing to tell."
"Bullshit. I can see it on your face. You're all ... glowy."
"I'm not glowy," I argue back.
"You are. You're glowing. Ice Queen Jo finally melted." She claps her hands together. "This is amazing. Was it one of the rugby players?"
I sigh, turning to face her. "It wasn't a rugby player."
"Then who?"
"Just ... a guy."
"A guy. Very descriptive."
"I met him at a club, the night before I flew out."
Collette's eyes widen. "You had a one-night stand?"
"Don't sound so shocked."
"I'm not shocked. I'm impressed." She pats the bed beside her. "Sit. Tell me."
I sit because I kind of want to talk to her about it. Kind of.
"His name is Emmett," I start.
"Emmett. Sexy name."
"He was ... sexy and grumpy. Didn't want to be at the club any more than I did.”
"A kindred spirit. Cute.”
This makes me laugh. "Something like that." I stare at my hands. "We talked, then left together and went back to his hotel."
"And?"
"And it was ... really good."
Collette squeals. "Really good? That's all you're giving me?"
Heat crawls up my neck. "Really, really good."
"I'm so proud of you." She wraps her arm around my shoulders, pulling me into a side hug. "You needed this. You've been wound so tight for so long."
"It was just one night."
"So. Did you get his number? Are you going to see him again?"
I shake my head. "I left before he woke up."
"Why?"
"Because it was supposed to be one night. No complications. No strings."
Collette pulls back and looks at me. "Do you regret it?"
"No."
"But?"
"But I can't stop thinking about him." The admission feels dangerous. "Which is stupid. I don't even know his last name. Don't know what he does for a living. I just know his first name and that he's got this ... controlled thing going on."
"Controlled?"
"Like he holds himself back, until he doesn't."
Collette fans herself. "Damn, Jo."
I laugh despite myself. "It's done. Over. I'm never going to see him again."
"You don't know that."
"I do. He's probably already forgotten about me."
"I doubt that." Collette squeezes my hand. "You're unforgettable."
"You have to say that. You're my sister."
"I mean it. And I'm glad you put yourself out there. Even if it was just one night."
We sit in comfortable silence for a moment, enjoying the warm Italian air.
Then I turn to her. "So, the whole Devils team is coming?"
"Yeah, Pierre invited everyone." My sister's eyes light up. "There are some really cute guys on the team."
"Lettie, no."
"What? I'm just saying. What happens in Italy stays in Italy." She smirks.
"I'm not interested in hockey players."
"You haven't met them yet." She wiggles her brows.
"I'm here for my brother's wedding. Not to hit on his teammates." I glare at her.
"We'll see about that." She smirks.
"Lettie," I growl.
"I know they might not stack up to this mysterious Emmett, but you never know," she teases. Then her expression turns serious. "Do you wish you'd stayed? With Emmett?"
The question catches me off-guard. Do I? I think about his hands on me. His mouth. The way he looked at me like I was the only person in the room. The way he said my name.
"I don't know," I admit. "Part of me thinks I should have left my number or something."
"And the other part?"
"The other part knows it's better this way. Clean. Simple. No complications."
"You don't do complications," she teases.
"Neither do you."
A car door slams outside. Collette jumps up and rushes to the window. "They're here. Felix and Harper just arrived."
"Already?"
"Come on. We have to go greet them." She grabs my hand, pulling me toward the door.
We rush outside, the afternoon sun warm on my skin.
A sleek black car sits in the circular drive.
The back door opens, and Felix steps out first. My baby brother looks good.
Tanned. Happy. He's filled out since I last saw him.
More muscle. More confidence. Collette squeals and launches herself at him, and I'm right behind her.
We hug him tightly, all speaking French at once.
Mom appears and pulls Felix into her arms next.
Then the passenger door opens, and Harper steps out.
She's beautiful, blonde, confident, and polished.
She has New York society written all over her.
"You must be Harper," I say, walking toward her.
"Yes, hi." She holds out her hand.
I ignore it and pull her into a hug instead. "I'm Jo. It's so nice to finally meet you. Felix has told me all about you. All good, don’t worry.”
Collette smiles happily as she pulls Harper in for a hug. “I follow you online. Sorry, not to sound like a stalker. Your ex was the biggest tool. I'm glad you dumped him and started dating our brother."
"Lettie, you said you wouldn't be weird." Felix groans.
"I'm not. And she's so beautiful. I don't understand how you are dating someone as sophisticated as her. She's like New York society royalty and you're you," Collette says to Felix in French.
"She speaks French too," Felix replies.
Collette's face turns bright red, which makes me laugh.
"Your words are too kind. And you're right, I don't understand what your brother is doing with me. All I know is I feel pretty lucky that he is," Harper replies in French, turning to look at Felix, who is staring at her in surprise.
"Hi, I'm Claire. Felix's mother," Mom says. Introducing herself with a wave as she holds Felix tightly.
"It is so nice to finally get to meet you," Harper says, walking over and giving her a hug. Mom whispers something into Harper's ear before letting her go.
"Felix," Pierre calls out as he pulls Felix into a brotherly hug. "It's been too long."
"I know," Felix replies.
Then Pierre looks over and sees Harper. His dark brow rises. "Hey, Harper. Long time since I've seen you." Harper gives him a wave.
"You know Harper?" Collette asks, looking confused.
"She's best friends with Issy," Pierre answers.
"And we went to high school and college together," Harper adds.
"Why isn't Issy here?" I ask.
"You invited her and her sisters, didn't you?" Collette asks.
"Yes, after the funeral," Pierre answers grumpily, rubbing the back of his neck. Just like Felix does when he's feeling nervous.
"And?" Collette pushes.
"They can't make it," he answers gruffly. "Felix, let me show you around." He grabs our brother by the shoulders and pulls him inside.
Mom gives Harper a small smile and follows.
"He still loves Issy, you know," I state.
"Excuse me?" Harper turns and stares at me. Surprised by my comment.
"I knew they were dating. I saw them together one summer when I came to stay at their place in The Hamptons. I think you were there, too."
"I'd completely forgotten about that, yes," Harper says.
"I wasn't there because I was too young," Collette adds.
"So, you all knew Issy and Pierre dated?" Harper questions us.
"Mom doesn't, and I don't think Felix does," I state.
"I may have accidentally told him," Harper confesses. Which makes us laugh.
"He freaked out, didn't he?" I chuckle when she nods.
"Why do you think he's still in love with her?" Harper asks.
"He never got over her moving to London during college," I explain.
"Because he was being a cheating asshole," Harper bites out. "Sorry, that's your brother."
I wave her apology away. "He told me. He knew he fucked up and thought he would give her space. But then she went no-contact, and that lasted over a decade. Each year that passed, I think he thought it was too late. Until here we are."
"After Issy's dad's funeral, he came back home and was a mess. It caused so much friction between him and Kitty." Collette grimaces saying Kitty's name. "He was having second thoughts about the wedding."
"No," Harper gasps.
Collette nods. "He was so confused after seeing Issy again."
"I know Issy was pretty messed up after seeing him," Harper adds.
"You think she still has feelings for him?" I ask.
"She didn't come to the wedding," Harper answers tactfully.
"Shit. Is that why?" Collette asks.
"Even after all these years, I don't think seeing Pierre walk down the aisle with someone else is something she wants to see," Harper tells us. "And her sisters didn't come because they aren't his biggest fans. Neither am I.”
"You were there when it happened?" I ask.
"I'm the one who showed her. I had heard rumors that he was cheating, but I could never catch him.
They were having a party at his frat house.
We told them we weren't going so I knew your brother would let his guard down.
Then we turned up late because I had to convince Issy to go.
I marched her up to his room, and like an idiot, he didn't lock his door.
We walked in and caught him in the act. It was the only way she was going to believe the rumors because she was so head-over-heels in love with him.
Still, to this day, I feel sick that I did that to her.
But I couldn't let my best friend get played like that.
She was in class with some of those girls he was sleeping with.
They would smile and chat with her, knowing they fucked her boyfriend.
To me, that was messed up," Harper explains.
"Totally understand. It sucks that all this time has disappeared between them." I sigh.
"Issy is stubborn," Harper says.
"So is our brother," Collette says, rolling her eyes.
"This is his wedding weekend. I don't think he's changing his mind," Harper explains. "And there is no way Issy is coming to break up the wedding either. She would never do that to Kitty."
Collette rolls her eyes again. "Kitty is a bitch. She puts on this wonderful act, but behind closed doors, she's a nightmare. Her image means everything to her."
"Money means everything to her," I add.
"But your brother seems happy," Harper tells us.
"Yeah, sure." Collette groans.
Harper shakes her head. "I'm not getting involved. He and I are not on the best of terms. And I'm not going to do anything to ruin his wedding. Think of the karma, guys."
"You're right." Collette sighs.
"Who are we to judge someone's relationship? Kitty and Pierre at home might have the best time in the world. I mean, they have to be in love if they are getting married?" Harper states.
"You're right. It's just our sister instincts are acting up," I explain.
"I get that. I have an older brother, too, and I'd probably be acting the same way."
"But we think he's making a mistake," Collette adds.
"It's his mistake to make, though," Harper adds.
"Lettie, let it go. It is what it is now. They are getting married in two days," I warn my younger sister.
"You live a continent away. I live and work with him. You don't see them together," she tries to explain.
"Leave it. Let's go inside and put our happy faces on," I tell her.
"Fine," Collette agrees unhappily.
Little did we know what was about to happen next.