Page 57 of All You Need Is Love

A throat cleared nearby.

She whirled to find her entire immediate family—Mom, Dad, Tyler, Gabrielle, and Quinn—plus the wedding photographer standing about ten feet away.

Mom’s eyes flitted between Shannon and Marshall as she eased closer. “What’s going on, Shannon?” The disappointment in her tone shot frozen darts through Shannon’s chest. Of course she’d be disappointed. It looked like her daughter was coming onto her sister’s boyfriend, who clearly didn’t welcome the attention.

And the worst part—maybe that was actually true.

“Shannon, stop.”

Maybe, like with Cody, Shannon had somehow misinterpreted everything. She’d read waaaaay into the situation. Maybe Marshall liked her well enough, but only as a momentary plaything. He wasn’t thinking about forever. Of course he wasn’t.

And there she went making a fool of herself again.

Marshall moved a few steps away from Shannon’s arms, which dropped with a thud back to her sides. “Ma’am …”

But before he could say another word, Quinn shot forward, lips pursed. “Marshall.” She leaned close and whispered something in his ear.

He shook his head. “You promised.”

“I’ll handle it.” Spinning on her heel, Quinn faced the family and the photographer. “This isn’t what it looks like, okay, everyone?”

Well, that was unexpected. Maybe Quinn would tell the truth after all.

“Then what is it?” Arms folded across his broad chest, Tyler cocked his head.

Quinn paused, biting her bottom lip as she looked from family member to family member. The expression she wore was not one Shannon could ever remember seeing on her sister’s face before.

Open. Raw. Vulnerable.

Mom stepped forward and placed a hand on Quinn’s elbow. “Honey? Are you okay? I’m worried about you.”

And that was exactly the wrong thing to say, apparently, because Quinn stiffened. “I’m fine, Mom.” Stepping back, she grabbed Marshall’s hand. “We’re leaving now.”

He frowned and glanced at Shannon, studying her—almost as if waiting for her to say something. To make a move. Part of her longed to beg him to stay, to communicate with her eyes all the things she couldn’t speak.

But Cody’s face flashed in her mind again, and Shannon’s gaze dropped to the sand at her feet.

Marshall’s sigh was audible. “Fine. But—”

“I know. I will.” Quinn’s reply floated by on the same breeze that stirred the bottom of Shannon’s dress. “We’ll see you guys later.”

Then, without even looking, Shannon knew Marshall had left with Quinn. The air vibrated the emptiness in Shannon’s chest. And when she finally got the courage to lift her gaze, she watched his retreating back until tears blurred her vision—and he was gone.

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