Page 3 of Nothing Breaks Like A Heart

"He's not that kind of man."

"From my experience, they all turn into that kind of man at some point, Lauren."

"Not Andrew. He's different."

"Is he? You haven't known him that long."

"Time doesn't mean anything. You should know that better than anyone." My impulsive words landed hard, and I immediately felt bad. Harper's longtime boyfriend had turned out to be cheating on her after years of being together. That was three months ago, and Harper was still justifiably upset about it. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

"No, you're right." Harper's lips tightened. "I knew Peter for two years, and it wasn't long enough."

I felt guilty that I'd reminded her of a painful time in her life. I'd just gotten a little tired of hearing about how fast I was moving. She'd been singing that song since I got engaged, and she wasn't the only one.

"I know you and Jamie are looking out for me," I said. "But you have to stop trying to make me nervous about getting married. I know what I'm doing. Andrew is my forever guy. He's the one." I almost added,He has to be,because I couldn't imagine how horrible it would feel if this ended, if I was alone again. But that sounded too desperate, too fearful, and I wasn't either of those things. Andrew and I were good together, and I wasn't going to second-guess my decision to marry him.

"Okay. I'll shut up. I want you to be happy, Lauren. You deserve it. I just feel protective of you. You went through such a difficult time after losing your mom. You were so sad and unhappy when we first met. I don't want to see that bleak look in your eyes ever again."

"You won't. And you like Andrew, remember?"

"I do like him. He's a hard man not to like. He's very charming. I promise to stop being a jealous brat and support you wholeheartedly."

"Good. Because I need you. This weekend is going to be a lot."

"It's definitely shaping up that way. I never thought your marketing idea would escalate into a two-day wedding weekend extravaganza. You're a lucky woman, Lauren."

"I know. I never could have afforded anything like this."

"None of us could. So is your family here?"

"I don't see them yet, but my Aunt Lydia texted me they'd gotten off the ferry around four, so they should be showing up soon."

My aunt and uncle, Lydia and Hugh Paulson, and their daughter Marian and her husband Travis, were my only family members that would be in attendance. I came from a very small family, and I wasn't even that close to them.

Lydia had been my mother's older sister by six years, and they'd never been that close, but Lydia had been nice enough to come, and I was happy to have some blood relatives at the event. Not for the first time, I felt a wave of sadness that my mom wasn't here to see me get married. But lingering on that thought was too painful, so I pushed it aside and looked back at Andrew, who had quickly become my stable buoy whenever my emotions threatened to overwhelm me.

"What'shedoing here?" Harper suddenly murmured.

"Who?"

"Him."

I followed her gaze to the dark-haired man with piercing green eyes, wearing a black suit with a maroon tie. He was sipping a cocktail and perusing the group more like a predator than a guest.

But Ethan Stark wasn't a guest. At least, he hadn't been on my guest list. Victor had probably invited him. Ethan worked as an investigator for the insurance company that had insured the art in Victor's office, art that had been destroyed during the hotel fire. He had shown up in my hospital room the day after the fire to interview me, and then again at my apartment a week later, armed with detailed blueprints, security footage, and more questions.

He'd been particularly focused on my presence in the office so late, the elevator's malfunction, and Andrew appearing at exactly the right moment. I'd explained everything, but there was something unnerving about the way he relentlessly questioned me, the way he looked at me as if I were a puzzle piece he was trying to fit into a bigger picture.

Over the following months, he'd backed off, probably because he'd found no evidence to prove our stories weren't true. But now he was here at our wedding, and he was the last person I wanted to see.

"Did you know he was coming?" Harper asked, turning back to me.

"No. I thought the fire claims were settled months ago. And why would he be here on this island? The fire happened in Newport Beach."

"I heard Victor is moving some of his personal art collection to his villa here. Apparently, he's planning to spend more time on the island and less time in Beverly Hills."

"It is a beautiful location, but the Carringtons lead such busy lives, it's difficult to believe they'd be happy camping out on this island."

Harper shrugged. "They can afford to have as many homes as they want. And while Victor and Paula lead busy lives, they don't always seem to be living their lives in the same place. I'm not sure that marriage isn't in name only." Harper lifted her wine glass to take another drink, then realized it was empty. "I need a refill. Do you want something?"

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