Page 38 of All You Need Is Love

“What news?” Dressed in dark skinny jeans, a crisp white button-up, and red pumps, Quinn joined the small grouping, a plate of goodies in her hand.

Guess she couldn’t avoid her sister forever. Shannon glanced away.

All eyes turned back to Madison, who held up her left hand. “Evan proposed last night.”

Squeals filled the air, questions flying about how he’d done it. Ashley stood there quiet and grinning. She and Madison had been close since Madison’s return to Walker Beach in January, so it wasn’t surprising that Madison would have told her before everyone else.

They must be better friends than Ashley and Shannon, since Madison had been invited to Ashley’s wedding-slash-elopement.

Ugh. Shannon tried her best to stuff the green monster back into the cage of her heart as Madison told the story of how Evan had taken her for a picnic at Walker Beach Park, and, on the pitcher’s mound of the baseball fields where they’d had their first date, told her he’d been waiting for the right pitch and, now, with her, he was ready to run the bases of life if she’d have him.

The women all oohed and aahed, and Shannon’s eyes drifted upward, pain radiating in her jaw from clenching it too tightly. Over the wooden mantel hung a hand-painted sign that read Be Still My Soul.

Be still. Yes. Shannon blew out a breath.

What was the matter with her? She was happy for all of her family and friends who had found love. Really she was. But was it too much to hope that maybe—someday—she’d find someone to love her?

“Daisies also symbolize purity, beauty, loyal love, and patience. Shannon, they remind me of you.”

Shannon pinched her elbows to bring herself back to reality.

“What about you, Quinn?” Bella turned to Shannon’s sister, who was just popping a blueberry between her teeth. “Are you and Marshall pretty serious? Any proposals in your future?”

Quinn chewed, her gaze thoughtful, then swallowed. “I sure hope so.”

Catching Jenna’s raised eyebrows aimed her direction, Shannon rolled her eyes.

Her sister’s gaze shot to hers, narrowed. “He’s very much in love with me. Told me so last night.”

What a load of crock. The tips of Shannon’s ears burned. She coughed. “Excuse me. I need some punch.” Backing away, she headed for the drink station.

Before she reached it, a hand gripped her elbow. “We need to talk,” her sister’s voice hissed in her ear.

Quinn practically dragged Shannon down the hallway toward an empty guest room. Lavender permeated the air but did nothing to calm the quivering in Shannon’s stomach, nor the tightness in Quinn’s features.

Her sister closed the door and whirled around. “What was with the eye roll, sis?”

Confrontation with Quinn never did any good. Shannon always ended up feeling like Lucky backed into a corner—wanting to bare her teeth. But it was futile to fight back. “Nothing.”

“Are you jealous of Marshall and me?” Quinn advanced, which left Shannon retreating, the backs of her knees hugging the twin bed behind her. “I’ve seen the way you look at him, you know.”

Oh, that was rich.

But before Shannon could respond, Quinn plowed on, her hands working overtime as they waved. “When he got home from your place yesterday, he decided he didn’t feel well enough to go to the beach. What did you say to him?”

He hadn’t gone last night? She couldn’t help the smile curving on her lips.

“See? I knew it. You like him.”

“Quinn, just stop. I know the truth.”

Color drained from Quinn’s face as her hands dropped. “What did you say?” The low words emerged from between her clenched teeth. Her eyes flashed white-hot. But, for a moment—here and then gone—there was also something almost … vulnerable.

Scared.

But what did Quinn have to be scared about? She had an amazing job, lived a fashionable life in New York City, and could land any man she wanted.

Still, she was lying for a reason. Shannon just wished Quinn would confide in her about why. “Marshall told me the truth.” She stepped forward.

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