How’s it going there? I miss you.

  I get a reply right away. Great! Having a surprisingly good time with my mom.

  Then she sends me a picture of some very frou-frou food that’s a work of art. Everything on the table has been fashioned to look like flowers, and in the middle of it all is a half-empty bottle of champagne.

  Then her next message pops in. But I miss you, too. Soon?

  Yes. All night.

  She sends me a kiss emoji and a couple of hearts that make me laugh. I would have sworn she was far too practical to be this giddy.

  Suddenly, I feel a familiar hand slap my back. “Hi, son. Sorry to keep you waiting.”

  I turn. I was pissed as hell at my father yesterday. Today, I rein in my temper. It’s not my life, and I need to back off. “Hey, Dad.” We share a manly hug, then I look around. “Where are Ivy and Lacey?”

  My brother, Jett, is finishing up a negotiation in London. This wedding was so last-minute, he couldn’t get here in time. And after the backstab he endured in college, he’s about ambition, not romance.

  Dad rolls his eyes. “Your sisters are still getting dolled up since they had to get up so early to catch their flights this morning. Lacey looks hung over.”

  “Ah, to be twenty-two again.” I have to smile. Lacey, the “oops” baby of the family, is in her last semester of college and partying hard—while maintaining her four-point-zero GPA, so I can’t complain.

  “No, thanks,” Dad drawls. “And Ivy says she has big news to share after the ceremony, but she looks so peaked and refused to eat breakfast when I picked the girls up and took them out. I can only imagine she’s going to tell us that she and Darrin are finally pregnant.”

  “That would be great.” The older of my two sisters is thirty-three. She and her husband have been trying to have a baby for years. “But I’ll do my best to act surprised.”

  “Good idea. Sorry I left you to your own devices last night.”

  I shake my head. “After the things I said yesterday afternoon, you had every right. I’m sorry. If you’re happy, I’m happy for you.”

  “It takes a big man to admit when he’s been wrong and apologize.” He pats me on the back. “Thank you. But you’ll see. This isn’t a mistake.”

  I can only hope he’s right.

  Then we don’t have time to exchange any more words because Ivy and Lacey appear, both in pretty springtime dresses. Ivy’s is a dusty blue with sensible beige heels. Lacey, God help me, is wearing something hot pink, low cut, and getting attention from every corner of the bar.

  After greetings and hugs all around, I catch up with my sisters. Ivy and Lacey both still live in Denver, not far from Dad. I can drive to see them in about six hours any time I want, but it’s just far enough away that it’s too far without a reason. So I don’t see them often. I wish Calla was here to meet them. If she hadn’t been busy with her mom, I would have asked her to come with me today and meet my family.

  We’ll definitely do it another time—soon. I make that promise to myself because I’m not giving her up. My impromptu shopping trip a few hours ago proved that. Now I just have to persuade her to say yes.

  Will she think I’m as crazy as I feel?

  “Where is this place?” Ivy asks, indeed looking slightly green-tinged.

  “Follow me.” Dad begins to lead us through the hotel, Lacey beside him, smiling.

  I turn to the older of my sisters. “You doing okay?”

  She slants me a frustrated glance. “I look fine, damn it.”

  I have to repress a smile. “You look as if you’re trying to look fine. Mostly you look sick.” I lean in closer. “Does that mean you’re finally pregnant?”

  Suddenly, a dazzling smile breaks across her face. “Darrin and I found out yesterday.”

  Slinging an arm around her shoulders, I give her a squeeze. “Congrats. I’m really happy for you two.”

  In my pocket, my phone vibrates again. I pull it free to see another text from Calla.

  I might be a little later than I thought. It’s nice to be with my mom, and this day is important to her. But I’ll be there as soon as I can. Be waiting?

  I’m disappointed because our time together has been so limited, but… I understand. Of course.

  She thanks me with more emojis.

  “Who’s that?” Ivy asks. “Did you finally meet someone special?”

  I want to go with my gut…but I temper my response until Calla and I have talked about this. She’s everything I’ve wanted. Instinct tells me that. But I don’t know how she feels.

  I shrug. “Maybe. We’ll see.”

  “Tell me about her.”

  “When there’s something to tell.”

  Ivy nods. “Fair enough. What do you know about this woman Dad is mixed up with?”

  Her question makes me grimace. “Not much. He’s been tight-lipped.” Mostly because I think he doesn’t want his kids butting into his life. “She’s divorced and has a grown daughter, who’s going to be her maid of honor today. I think he said she’s from Orange County. He says she’s so kind and outgoing—exactly what he needs.”

  My father has always been a brooder, so I come by the propensity naturally. And he needs someone with the kind of zest for life that will bring him out of his cave.

  Ivy looks as confused as I feel. “How long has he known her?”

  “He was vague. A couple of months is my best guess.”

  My sister shakes her head. “I hope this isn’t a giant cluster.”

  “Same. But all we can do is be supportive.”

  “I guess.” Ivy doesn’t sound any more convinced than I am.

  The trek to the far reaches of the hotel seems to take forever. When we arrive, I peek inside. It’s already set up for the upcoming wedding I still object to. Several standing arrangements of roses line the back and flank the rows of padded benches. White petals have been strewn along the softly geometric runner bisecting the chapel. At the front, a more elaborate flower arrangement livens up the otherwise plain cream-colored, low-ceilinged space.

  We’re escorted to a small room in the back for the groom and his attendants. I check my watch. The ceremony starts in thirty minutes.

  “You sure about this woman?” I say to my dad as my sisters mill around before Lacey drags Ivy into her selfie.

  “Yeah.”

  And now that I look at him, I don’t remember the last time I saw him this happy. It was definitely before Mom’s prolonged illness and death. Maybe I need to be less suspicious. Dad isn’t easily duped. He’s always been even-tempered and even-handed. It might really be possible to fall in love quickly.

  I know because I’m doing it now.

  “All right, then. Let’s get you married.”

  Dad smiles, then pats his pocket until he produces the ring box and hands it to me. “Thanks for standing up with me.”

  “My pleasure.” I pocket the ring. “I’m sorry Jett can’t be here.”

  His face clouds over. “I am, too. But Lacey is going to loop him in on FaceTime, so he’ll be here virtually.”

  Despite the fact it will be very late for him? “Great.”

  Dad rubs his hands together. “I’ve been really self-absorbed this weekend. You doing okay?”

  I nod and debate the wisdom of opening my mouth…but I don’t much like that my father hid his romance from us until it was serious. I can’t do the same and then bitch, especially when this thing with Calla is moving so fast.

  “Really good, actually. I might have met someone.”

  He looks taken aback. Then he smiles. “Someone serious?”

  “It’s looking that way.”

  “When do I get to meet her?”

  “Soon.”

  “Why didn’t you bring her with you this weekend?”

  I give him a self-deprecating smile. “Actually, we just met last night.”

  Dad raises a brow at me. “You mean after you browbeat me about falling in love too fast?”

  “Yeah. Ironic, isn’t it?”

  “Karma is a bitch.” He laughs. “You think you’re in love with her?”

  “It’s definitely feeling that way. You don’t think I’m crazy?”

  “A few months ago, I would have. Not now.” That makes him laugh again. “Tell me about her.”

  “Her name is—”

  “Excuse me.” An impeccably dressed man in his forties approaches with hands clasped and a cautious smile. “My name is Michael, and I’m the wedding coordinator here. We only have a few minutes before the ceremony starts. I’ve just settled the bride and her family into their dressing room. Do you need anything?”

  “I’ll let you handle this.” I clap my father on the back, leaving him to finish the last-minute details with Michael, and head over to my sisters.

  “Hey.” Lacey grabs me and ropes me into a sibling selfie.

  We chat for a few minutes. Then it’s time for the ladies to head into the chapel, so they meander out to take their seats in the padded pews.

  “Ready?”

  My dad nods. “Very. But this conversation isn’t over. I want to hear all about your girl soon.”

  I smile. “You got it.”

  Then Michael motions us to take our places at the altar, so I file out, Dad right behind me. While we’re waiting, I observe my father. He isn’t nervous at all. He’s dead sure about this woman. He knows.

  Is that why I’m not more nervous about Calla, too? Why I’m almost entirely convinced, despite knowing her a mere twenty-four hours, she’s the one for me?

  Suddenly, the music starts. The chapel doors at the back open. In walks a gorgeous blonde in a black dress with pale shoes and matching pearls—and familiar blue eyes.

  Calla.

  She’s the maid of honor? Yeah. And that makes her the bride’s daughter.

  Oh, fuck.

  I blink. This can’t be happening.

  But it is. The woman I’m falling for is about to become my stepsister. What are the fucking odds of that? And what am I going to do?

  One step after the other leads her up the aisle. I see the exact moment she stops sizing up my dad as a prospective husband for her mother and her stare lands on me. Her eyes go wide. Her step stutters. She blinks as she smothers a little gasp behind her hand.

  “Quint?”

  My dad was right; Karma is a bitch. “Hi, Calla.”

  My father frowns. “You two know each other?”

  “Yeah, Dad. She’s the girl I was just telling you about.”

  At that, my dad tosses his head back and belts out a laugh. I’m glad he sees the humor in this. Calla looks horrified, I don’t have any idea what to do, and there’s no time to sort things out because the music changes, and Calla’s mother starts walking up the aisle to make us officially family.

  Calla

  Is the world playing a cruel joke on me?

  The question circles through my head while my mother and Curtis begin to speak the words that officially make my boyfriend—well, of sorts—my stepbrother, too.

  This isn’t okay.

  Two hours ago, my biggest worry was finding a comfortable position for my sore backside on the restaurant’s hard chairs and wondering when I’d get back to Quint. Now…I’m just stunned.

  Somehow, I manage to smile and nod. Through the ceremony, I keep stealing glances at Quint. He’s trying to work this out mentally, too. Clearly, he’s no less shell-shocked than I am.

  The next fifteen minutes feel like forever, but finally Curtis slips a ring on Mom’s finger, they kiss, and the officiant pronounces them man and wife. They beat a path down the aisle, hand in hand, leaving Quint and me at the altar to stare at each other.

  Finally, he sidesteps toward me and holds out his elbow. “Come on, angel. We can’t figure anything out here.”

  “You’re right.” I wrap my trembling fingers around his forearm.

  Is it bad that, even though we’re related by marriage now, I can’t help but notice how devastatingly masculine he looks in a navy suit with a crisp white shirt and a tone-on-tone blue tie?

  I can feel his distress and confusion. It’s a lot like mine. But he’s still solid beneath me, not looking at me any differently than he did before he realized our parents were about to marry each other.

  We only make it halfway down the aisle when two women I don’t recognize assault me with hugs. “You’re Iris’s daughter?”

  I nod. “Calla.”

  “That makes us sisters now!” says the younger with a squee. “I’m Lacey. This is Ivy. Our brother, Jett, is in London.” She turns the phone around to show me an attractive man of about thirty in his hotel room. He looks a lot like Quint, but he’s holding a glass of wine and waving. Though he’s smiling, his eyes look both cynical and haunted.

  “It’s nice to meet you.” What else can I say?

  Lacey smiles. “And you haven’t really met my brother, Quint.”

  “Actually, we met last night,” he corrects. “Why don’t you two let Jett go to bed since it’s ungodly late in the UK, then catch up with the parents. Calla and I need to talk.”

  His sisters exchange a glance, like they finally grasp that something is up between us.

  “Yeah. Sure. We’ll…um, meet you in the restaurant.”

  They scurry out of the chapel. The door closes behind them with a soft swish.

  Finally, we’re alone.

  “Fancy seeing you here,” I try to joke.

  Quint lets out a deep breath. “Obviously, neither of us expected this.”

  “No.” But now that the shock is wearing off, I’m wondering what we should do. Technically, he’s my stepbrother now…but we’re not actually related. We don’t share any blood. “It’s shocking but—”

  “I don’t care,” he insists. “I refuse to give two shits that my dad just married your mom. Why should that change anything between us?”

  His thoughts are heading exactly where mine were. And he’s right. It’s unexpected. It’s odd. It might even seem weird to others but… “I was just beginning to think that maybe this ‘problem’ isn’t really a problem.”

  “Exactly.” He grabs my shoulders and presses our foreheads together. “This weird twist of fate might be a practical joke from the universe…but it doesn’t change the way I feel about you.”

  My heart catches in my throat. “It doesn’t change the way I feel about you, either. When I first realized what was happening, all I could think about was how I was going to live without you. And everything inside me rebelled.”

  “I did those mental gymnastics during the ceremony. But I’m not giving you up.”

  “Then we agree.”

  A little smile creeps across his mouth. “Does that mean you’re game to have sex with your stepbrother?”

  I wince. “When you say it like that, it’s so cringy.”

  He laughs and wags his brows at me. “But you still want me, right?”

  “Are you telling me you’re the kind of guy who would nail his stepsister?”

  “Not usually, but I’ll make an exception for you. And how about we never mention that we’re related by marriage in the context of sex again?”

  “Deal.” I grin. “How about you come here and kiss me?”

  “Sure.” He lays his lips over mine experimentally. Gently. We freeze, share a couple of rapid heartbeats.

  Then passion takes over. It’s as if my body is wired to respond to him—and him alone.

  He nudges my lips apart. I suck in a breath and wrap my arms around him. Then his hands are in my hair and his tongue is teasing mine. My nipples are so hard they hurt, and the ache between my legs is ridiculous, considering how sore I am from all the sex. None of that matters. I’m still wishing we didn’t have to go downstairs for this wedding dinner my mother planned. I’m still wanting to spend the night alone with Quint.

  I love him, and I have no idea how—or if—we can work everything out.

  With a last drag of his tongue and a low groan, he forces himself to pull away. “Calla. Angel…”

  The gravity in his tone is heavy. Something’s up. “What?”

  “Maybe you think I’m crazy. Hell, maybe I am crazy. But I know myself. I know mere lust. And I know my feelings. This is completely different.” He swallows and cups my face, fusing his stare to mine. “I love you.”

  I can’t help but smile and throw myself against him. “Really? I was literally thinking just seconds ago that I love you, too. I’ve never felt this way. You know that.”

  “Yeah.” He nods. “Neither have I.”

  I bite my lip. “What do we do?”

  He shrugs. “We tell the family. Then we stop caring what they think and do what makes us happy.”

  I turn his words over mentally, but again, he’s right. Ultimately, this isn’t about everyone else, just us. They’ll either accept us together or they won’t. But I have a feeling they’ll embrace us with open arms. I know my mom will be thrilled for me. “Yeah.”

  “You in?”

  I nod. “One hundred percent.”

  He slides an arm around me and dips his head to kiss me again when a man behind us clears his throat.

  “Sorry to disturb,” Michael assures. “But we have another wedding in less than an hour. We need to prepare.”

  “Of course,” I say. “Let me grab my purse from the bride’s room and—”

  “Are you all booked up tonight?” Quint asks.

  My heart stops. “Are you serious?”

  Quint pulls out a burgundy velvet box. “I bought this earlier today.” He lifts the lid and gets on one knee. “Marry me?”

  It’s crazy and impulsive—everything I’ve scolded my mother for in the past. But this is Quint. It doesn’t matter how long I’ve known him. He’s the keeper of my heart. I’ve never been impetuous a day in my life—well, except this weekend—and I know what I want.

  “Yes. Oh, my god… Yes!”

  With a hearty laugh, he slips the ring on my finger. I glance down at the sparkling oval diamond haloed by a smaller cluster of the pale, glinting stones, all sitting on a simple white-gold band. It’s beautiful. I love it. Then again, it could have come as a toy surprise in a Happy Meal and I would have been thrilled because it’s from Quint, and he loves me.