Page 3 of The Love Trick

I wave to Molly, the hostess who’s been working here for years now.

“Your family’s already in their private dining room,” she says with a smile.

“Great, thanks.” I smile back, smoothing out my disheveled hair from my near jog to get here on time.

I brush my fingers over the crisp, clean white blouse that I threw on right before I left and take a deep breath. I catch a whiff of the vanilla jasmine perfume I sprayed all over myself in hopes it would hide the pungent reminder that my parents’ highly esteemed socialite daughter is, indeed, a dog walker.

“Ah, Addy.” Mom perks up as I finally enter the room. Her blonde hair is pulled up in the perfect bun, and based on her lack of wrinkles, I’d guess she got her Botox done this week. “Come take a seat beside me, honey. We’re just waiting on Aurora.”

“The bride-to-be is late for herownbridal meeting?” I joke, pulling out a chair. I glance around the room as I take a seat, wondering if anyone heard me since nobody even cracked a smile. Aurora’s college sorority sisters are all sitting together and looking at their phones. My mom is sitting between me and Granny Esme. And my three aunts are across from us, also on their phones. And then there’s the wedding planner—a middle-aged woman who looks like she could be named Nancy…

Oh, and she’s on her phone too.

Cool.

I shift my attention to my mom, who’s now glaring at the door.

“I’m sure Aurora’s just running a little late.” I place my arm on her shoulder and then instantly retract it when I realize my nails are chipped. I don’t want to give her a reason to glare at me, too.

I do that enough as it is.

“She’s probably off rendezvousing with Robert,” Mom says through a terse smile.

I giggle. “Well, considering they’re about to get married, there will be plenty of time forrendezvousinglater.”

“Adeline Harper Williams,” Granny pipes, her tone scolding as her blue eyes sear into me over her pink-framed glasses. “Have some manners.” Her eyes tell me that, at nearly thirty years old, I should know better.

I duck my head. “Sorry, Granny.” I tuck my loose strands of hair behind my ears and keep my gaze on my hands until I hear the door open once again. When I look up, my sister, in all her elegant ways, steps into the room. Her designer floral outfit makes the floral wallpaper look drab and dull. It’s like something straight off the runway—which she’s gorgeous enough to have walked herself.

We may share similar facial features and slender builds, but our styles couldn’t be more different. And there’s no denying that she gotallthe grace and charm in the Williams family gene pool. Whereas I tend to stumble into situations with the subtlety of a bull in a china shop.

“Sorry, I’m late,” she chimes, her tone light and sweet. “Robert needed me to stop by his office for a minute. We had to talk about something.”

I hide the face I’m making, trying to stifle a laugh as my mother grimaces and Granny’s face grows a shade paler. While Idon’tthink my sister was being ‘promiscuous’ as Granny would say, given the conversation we all just had, it definitely sets the wrong tone.

“Take a seat, Aurora. We need to get this meeting underway.” Mom drives the conversation as my sister pulls out the empty chair beside me and takes a seat. I catch a whiff of her peachy perfume and inhale deeply, thinking of orchards … andanywhereelse but this stuffy tearoom.

“You’re actually on time.” Aurora shoots me a sideways glance. “It’s a miracle.”

“Ha ha,” I mouth back to her, and we both crack a grin. My baby sister and I like to poke fun at each other, but it’s all out of love. We’ve always had each other’s backs, even when our personalities couldn’t be more different.

“Okay, so we’re leaving for Hawaii in two weeks,” Mom says, placing her freshly manicured hands on the table. “It’s time to nail down the final guest list.”

“Will you be bringing a plus one?” Granny asks. But when she doesn’t get a response, she sharply adds, “Adeline,I’m speaking to you.”

My eyes widen.

Oh no. Not again.

“Um…”

Granny sighs the moment she senses my hesitation. “You do realize that yourtwenty-five-year-old sisteris about to marry a nice, stately man who comes from a wonderful family… You’re turning thirty soon, dear. This isn’t looking good.”

I try to conjure up a reply, but as my lips part, nothing comes out. I can’t think of a single thing to say to her. I’ve already said it all, and it never makes a difference.

“She’ll find someone,” Aurora says, attempting to come to my rescue. “Anyway, we need to talk about the wedding.”

“Yes, and the fact that my oldest granddaughter is going to be coming to your weddingalone.” Granny narrows her gaze at me—like it’s my fault the cesspool of men in Atlanta sucks. “I just want better for you, Adeline. By the time a man turns thirty, he ought to be starting a family.”

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