Page 52 of One Hot Moment

"What spurred this little bout of temporary insanity?"

"Rachelle showed Kendall the plans for the wedding reception."

Why should that send my brother into a death spiral? That doesn't sound like a reasonable response, not even for an uptight bloke like my brother. "I don't understand, Bindy. Kendall attended Hugh and Avery's wedding, as well as the one for Dominic Rigby and Chelsea Vance. He knows what a wedding is about."

My sister huffs. "Men are so oblivious to emotional things. Rachelle showed Kendall the seating chart. When he saw how many people are coming to the wedding and the reception, he went pale. You know how Kendall feels about public events."

Yes, I do. His aversion to such things must have stemmed from his humiliation after Bindy accidentally saw what would become his final performance. "What would you like me to do? I can't run back to London tonight. I have a job that I've only just started."

"I know. And I'm sorry for bothering you. But I hoped you might have some idea of how to handle the situation."

"Let me think about it. In the meantime, don't worry about Kendall. He's a grown man, and we can't treat him like a child. Trust me, Bindy, everything will be right as rain."

But even as I say goodbye to my sister, I have no idea if my prediction will come true.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Tabitha

After the phone call with his sister, Spencer and I get dressed and walk back to my parents' house. They offered to cook dinner for all of us. We let them and Sabrina know that Spencer's brother is having some sort of anxiety attack, but we didn't share all the details. I know Spencer would like to go home to England and help his brother, but like he told Bindy, he has a job here in America. A job he just started.

He must feel so torn right now. I've listened to him talk about his family, and he clearly loves them very much, especially Kendall. I'm sure he feels guilty for not being there. The wedding is in ten days. Maybe he could get time off work to support his brother. Well, probably not. Then again, Spencer has been doing an amazing job.

I'll broach that subject later. Not in front of my family.

The conversation has moved on while I was lost in thought.

"Your job sounds complicated," Mom says to Spencer. "Must take a lot of hard work to do that sort of thing and wrangle an entire group of analysts."

Spencer makes a noncommittal noise. "It takes practice, that's all."

As usual, he's downplaying his smarts and his skills just a little. He's humble, and I love that about him.

"Connie, I've been meaning to ask you," Spencer says. "What do you and Barry do every day?"

Dad clasps Mom's hand. "We've been running a business together for thirty-two years."

"That's wonderful. What sort of business?"

"We run an antiques shop in Asheville, in Biltmore Park."

My dad launches into a monologue about the joys of restoring abandoned treasures and turning them into valuable antiques that brighten people's lives. I've heard that spiel before. Dad is a great salesman, though he never uses pressure tactics or tries to trick anybody. That's why everyone loves the shop. They know Connie and Barry Remington would never cheat them.

"I would love to see your shop before Tabitha and I head back to Arlington," Spencer tells my dad. "Will it be open in the morning?"

"Open seven days a week. We'd love to show you the shop tomorrow."

Spencer's brows wrinkle. "But it's Saturday, and you're here, not at the shop."

Dad chuckles. "We have eight employees. Four of them are manning the shop today, the other four will take over tomorrow. Connie and I like to have weekends off to relax and do some target shooting."

"I never imagined I would think of shooting as relaxation. But after spending the day with you lot, I've realized it can be both fun and relaxing to see how close I can get to hitting the center of the target."

Dad slaps my boyfriend's arm. "You're a good kid, Spence. We'll be happy to welcome you into the family when you and Tabby get hitched."

I smack my fork down hard enough that my plate wobbles. "For heaven's sake, Dad, I met Spencer a few weeks ago. Don't go hiring a wedding planner yet."

"Yet?" Mom says, and her eyes light up. "That means you will tie the knot eventually."

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