Page 37 of All You Need Is Love

Chapter 8

Today was supposed to be a happy day. A day to celebrate love.

So why this heaviness in Shannon’s limbs as she waited outside her Aunt Lisa and Uncle Frank’s house, staring at the pink and silver balloons attached to the mailbox?

A few leaves from the tree overhead dropped and swirled at Shannon’s feet. This was ridiculous. She was one of Bella’s bridesmaids and this was her friend’s bridal shower. And even though she’d spent last night here decorating instead of playing games at the cookout—which she’d skipped—she should have been by a half-hour ago to help with last-minute prep.

Instead, she’d stayed in bed extra long, staring at the ceiling fan blades turning, turning, replaying the scene in her kitchen yesterday. Wondering if she should have just kissed Marshall and asked questions later.

But he hadn’t indicated that he and Quinn would be giving up their charade. And that was a problem.

Then again, she hadn’t asked him to. How would he have responded to such a request?

“Shannon!”

Gripping the handle of the purple gift bag in her hands, Shannon startled at the voice coming from the doorway.

Fresh and glowing in a pair of white linen pants and a bright green off-the-shoulder blouse, Shannon’s cousin Ashley closed the door behind her and headed down the brick path to the mailbox. She leaned in for a quick hug. “Everything okay? You were just standing here.”

“Me? Oh yeah, fine. Just … tired.”

“With good reason. You’ve been handling so much with the reunion, and I can’t thank you enough.” Ashley smoothed back a piece of her hair, the princess-cut diamond on her ring finger a glaring reminder of her love story.

Shannon looked away. “It’s been no problem.”

“Hey.” Ashley touched her shoulder. “You sure it’s just tiredness? I’ve been meaning to ask about the adoption process. Don’t you have an interview this week?”

Any other time and Ashley would have been the one to know all the details first. But not only had her cousin been surrounded at pretty much every reunion event—family members clamoring to hear how she and Derek had gotten together—but she’d also chosen to get married without Shannon there.

Maybe she meant more to Shannon than Shannon did to her.

And Shannon wasn’t bitter. She wasn’t. She just felt … sad. Okay, and maybe a little betrayed. But today was about honoring Bella.

Straightening her shoulders, Shannon forced a smile and linked arms with Ashley. They started to walk toward the door. “The interview was on Tuesday. It went terribly.”

Ashley stilled. “What happened? Are you okay?”

“No.” Despite her efforts, Shannon’s mutinous chin trembled. “But I’m doing my best to keep going this week. There’s just been a lot to deal with.”

“Shannon.” Ashley tucked her arms fully around Shannon, cocooning her into the familiar bond they’d always had—cousins, but more like sisters really. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I’ve been so caught up with finishing Ben and Bella’s wedding prep …”

And eloping.An ice pick stabbed Shannon’s heart. She pulled away from her cousin, swiping her eyes. “It’s fine. Really. I don’t want you to worry about it. I’m sure it’ll all work out.”

A few guests arrived—Heather and Christina Campbell, Ashley’s new sisters-in-law—and after greeting them with hugs and promises to catch up inside, Ashley pulled Shannon off the walkway and under the shade of a huge California oak tree that stood taller than the two-story house.

“I know how much you want to adopt Noah.” Ashley chewed her bottom lip. “But maybe this is a sign, you know? Maybe you’re just supposed to be his teacher, a friend, a mentor—not his mom.”

Despite Ashley’s attempt at encouragement, her words left Shannon feeling like she stood too close to a fire, hot embers flying out to land on her skin.

“I don’t want to be just a teacher or friend or mentor.” Shannon’s hand flew to her heart, thumped it twice. “I want to be his mom. Don’t you think I can do it?”

Her cousin’s eyes widened. “Of course I do. I’ve already told you that. I just wonder if you’ve set your heart on this path and forgotten that you can still have an impact on Noah’s life in other ways. A huge impact.”

Chest tightening, Shannon’s blood raced in her veins and she was very near weeping right here in her aunt’s front yard. “We should get inside.” And before Ashley could respond, she strode toward the front door, her skirt swishing at her knees.

As she entered the house, laughter and chatter filled her ears. Shannon moved through the front hallway into the massive living room, where at least forty women roamed, eating tiny quiches, fruit, and all manner of pastries. Josephine Radcliffe stood behind the white marble breakfast bar, helping Shannon’s much older cousin Elise Griffin—Cameron and the other sextuplets’ mom—load up platters of food. Meanwhile, her aunts Jules and Kiki replenished the punch bowl with pink juice and plops of sherbet.

Bella stood near the white fireplace chatting with her maid of honor, Jessica—who lived in Los Angeles—Jenna, and librarian Madison Price. The bride-to-be glanced up at Shannon’s and Ashley’s approach. “There are the rest of my bridesmaids! Let’s get this party started.” The woman’s strong arms squeezed the breath out of Shannon as they hugged. “But first, Madison was just about to tell us some news.”

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