Page 50 of A Lone Star Love Affair
“No, it won’t,” he said. “Let’s get this over with.”
As they hurried to the waiting limousine, neither brought up the question that had dominated her thoughts all week. She still was undecided, tempted to accept yet always facing solid reasons to say no.
As soon as Tony sat beside her in the limo, he pulled her close to kiss her again.
When they walked into the lobby of the luxurious restaurant, Dylan and Sydney waited. The moment she saw Sydney, Isabelle was relieved. Both Sydney and Dylan looked radiant.
“There they are,” she said.
“They look like afters in before and after pictures. Thankfully,” Tony said quietly to her, and then gave his sister a light hug. “Sydney, you look pretty and, frankly, far better than the last time I saw you.” He turned to shake hands with Dylan.
Sydney hugged Isabelle, smiling at her. “I’m grateful to you,” Sydney said. “To both of you,” she added, glancing between Isabelle and Tony. “That’s why we wanted to take you to dinner.”
The moment they were seated at a linen-covered table and had given drink orders, Dylan turned to Tony and Isabelle. “We have several things to tell you both. First, this dinner is a token thank-you for revealing what had really happened.”
“It’s impossible to tell you how grateful we are to you,” Sydney added, her brown eyes sparkling.
“We’re together again because of you,” Dylan continued. “That’s one reason for this dinner. There’s another.” He paused to hold Sydney’s right hand. “I’ve asked Sydney to marry me and she’s accepted.”
Smiling broadly, Sydney held out her left hand and a diamond sparkled in the candlelight. “Congratulations!” Isabelle and Tony spoke at the same time.
Isabelle felt a lurch as Sydney turned slightly to Dylan. The look they exchanged plainly expressed their love as much as if they had verbally declared it. Suddenly, she knew what her answer had to be to Tony.
She looked at a beautiful emerald-cut diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds on a wide gold band. “It’s beautiful, Sydney, and I’m thrilled for both of you,” Isabelle said, meaning it. “Dylan, this is wonderful news. Both of you look incredibly happy.”
“We are,” he said quietly to Sydney, for a moment his smile faltering. “Whatever the consequences, this is what we’ve decided to do. Sydney convinced me to marry her,” he added teasingly.
Tony reached out to hug Sydney’s neck, a light, brotherly embrace. “I’ll give you back the check, Syd. I meant what I said about putting you through medical school.”
Dylan shook his head. “Tony, we’ll be married. I’ll send her to med school.”
Tony shook his head. “I want to do this as a wedding gift to both of you. Also, Dylan, I have to admit, I’m enjoying my freedom from being hassled by Dad and this is a little bit of a payback for what he’s done. Let me do this.”
Sydney grasped Dylan’s arm. “Let him, Dylan. You’ll never understand about our father and how he’s tried to control our lives.”
“No, I don’t understand. I’m sure Isabelle doesn’t, either. I’ve heard her talk about her family.” He looked at Tony. “Very well, that’s an enormous, marvelous wedding present and we both appreciate it,” he said, glancing at Sydney, who smiled at him.
“Is a date set?” Isabelle asked.
“We’re talking about it,” Dylan replied.
“Probably around June. Something small with close friends, and whatever family will be there,” Sydney added, her smile fading. “I don’t expect Mom or Dad to attend. If they don’t, Tony, will you give the bride away?”
“I’d be honored, Syd. If Dad appears, fine. He can do the honor. Have you told him yet?” Tony asked.
“No. I want to wait until Dylan and I have our plans made and I’m not so emotional and angry over it. I’ll tell Mom and Dad soon.”
“Syd, I don’t want to say anything to them until you have,” Tony said.
“I’ll let you know.”
They paused while champagne was opened. Through toasts and through dinner, Isabelle tried to join in Dylan’s and Sydney’s obvious happiness, but underneath her smiles was a steady hurt. She was glad for them. Their love was unmistakable.
When the evening finally ended as they parted with Dylan and Sydney, Sydney hugged Isabelle again. “Thank you so much. I wouldn’t have Dylan back if it weren’t for you. Be patient with my brother. He’s really a good guy at heart.”
Isabelle smiled. “I’ll remember your advice,” she said, continuing to wonder about the depth of Tony’s objectives.
She looked into the female version of Tony, dark brown eyes identical to his, a mop of thick black curls, longer than Tony’s. How well did Isabelle really know her brother? Did she have any idea of his ambition to be a billionaire by forty?
