Page 80 of Aloha, Seattle

Sarah giggles. “We were all talking about what we love most about the men in our lives.”

Oh, Hellfire and broomsticks.Mushy gushy girl talk.

“I said, I love Caleb’s sense of adventure.” Sarah beams, snacking on pieces of assorted fruit as her mother does her hair.

“I love seeing Drew as a dad,” Ruth chimes in, clearly repeating her answer for my benefit. “He’s so patient.”

“Mark is very level-headed and balances me out.” Sarah’s mom, Elizabeth, says with a loving grin, rubbing Sarah’s shoulders as they look at each other’s reflections in the mirror.

“Oh, Mom.” Sarah kisses her mom’s hand.

“I love that Steven is a man of integrity.” Athena motions for me to zip up the back of her gown and I oblige. “No relationship will last if built on dishonesty. No honesty means no trust and no trust means no love.”

“Way to bring us down, Mama,” Tess snickers slipping her feet into her sandals.

“It’s true,” Athena snorts. “What did you say was what you loved most about Liam?”

“His ability to commit,” Leah spits, bringing her wine glass to her thin lips. An apparent jab since Tess and Liam have been dating for six years with no engagement ring in sight.

If Tess is bothered, she doesn’t show it. But I’m sure if given the opportunity to be alone with Leah, there’d be a beat down, with words or with fists, doesn’t matter.

Sarah and her mother flash Leah a look that screams, zip it, and Leah responds by leaving the room completely.

“I’m sorry, Tess.” Sarah’s brown face seems flushed.

Tess shakes her head and waves her arm in the air. “Don’t worry about it, Sarah. It’s not your fault.” She takes a sip of her drink and to relieve the tension in the room she says, “I said, I love that Liam accepts me for the strong, independent, competitive woman that I am.”

Athena pats her daughter’s face. “An engagement is in your future, Contessa. Don’t you worry.”

I swear I see a glimpse of doubt in Tess’s watery brown eyes but as quick as it flashes, it is gone again, and she points at me. “What about you, Cate? What do you love most about my brother?”

While they have been talking, I have changed into a floral summer dress with a plunging neckline. And even though I know the question will eventually make its way back to me, I am not sure how to answer.

I take a moment to think about what I love most about Theo. Is it his mischievous green eyes or that perfectly wicked grin? Is it his tattoos or his dark hair that always falls into his face at the perfect angle? Maybe its his work ethic, competitiveness, or the fact he can turn almost anything into a betting game? Is it his protectiveness or his courage to overcome his fear of heights?

I can feel Athena’s eyes burning a hole into my face; she looks excited, almost expectant, to know what I love most about her son.

“I love his heart.” My voice is barely louder than a whisper. “How he always seems to be able to turn the worst day into the best one. How his smile can light up a room and he is always ready for a new adventure. But most of all, I love the way he makes me feel about life – about myself. Like nothing before him matters anymore – just what lies ahead with him.”

I only realize once I am done that I have gotten caught up in my thoughts and probably overshared. The ladies are standing with their hands to their chests, tears in the eyes, mouths agape, silent.

I immediately blush.Hellfire.How embarrassing. My tongue betrays me again, this time with its looseness.

“I’m sorry – I guess I got carried away.” I start gnawing at my fingers, but Athena approaches me with tears slipping down her full cheeks, ruining the make-up Tess just finished, and wraps me in the warmest hug.

“Never be sorry for loving deeply, Cate, darling.” Athena kisses both of my cheeks, cupping my face. “All a mother dreams and hopes for is the right woman to love her son. I am blessed that I can say both of my sons are in good hands.”

Sarah slides over and hugs Athena and me in a three-way hug.

Hell to the hundredth power!I can’t breathe. This is too much for me. I almost feel pressured to admit the truth to them. To tell them Theo and I are a fake couple but that my feelings for him are real.

Instead, Sarah’s mom says, “It’s time.”

We get ready to head to the beach where Sarah will marry the love of her life. While I do my best to keep myself together and not panic-expose myself to be a fraud.

Chapter Twenty

It is a perfect afternoon for a wedding. Right on the beach, the sound of the ocean serenades us, and pink flowers of different hues scattered all around the outdoor ceremony brings a magical touch. There are wooden chairs, with white linen tied in bows on the back, set up to face the floral canopy, the ocean as its backdrop.

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