Page 17 of All You Need Is Love

“Do you not like the guy or something?”

“Oh no! He’s great, and perfect for her.” She sniffed. “I just wish I could have been there, you know? She said it was because she didn’t want to distract me from the reunion planning. That’s why she asked Madison and Evan to stand up for them. But she’s not just my cousin. She’s also one of my best friends, like the sister I never had.”

Her hand flew to her mouth as her eyes widened. “I mean, I know I have a sister, but …” A grimace crossed her face.

Marshall’s thoughts warred with each other. He wanted to lean in, to tell her that it was okay—her secrets, her thoughts, were safe with him. But he also knew what was wiser. He wasn’t here to get involved in family drama. To care. To get attached.

It wasn’t his business.

His business was to get that job promotion. Because what else did he have? Everything else he’d cared about had been taken from him. Work was the one thing he could control.

And anything resembling love … well, love wasn’t worth the risk.

Still, the tears shining in Shannon’s eyes tugged at him.

“There you are, babe.” Quinn’s voice jerked him out of his musings. “What happened to that fresh air you were looking for?”

Shannon retreated toward the safety of the kitchen. Didn’t take a genius to see that she and Quinn were at odds. Maybe even that Shannon somehow saw herself as inferior to Quinn.

Which, frankly, was ridiculous.

You don’t care, remember?

Pushing a deep puff of air from his lips, Marshall looped his arm around Quinn’s waist. “Sorry about that. I’m good now. Lead on.”

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