Page 34

But then Connor’s turning into a building on our right, holding the door open for me expectantly. It’s too late to back out now.
“You made it,” a deep voice booms from across the wide room, so similar to Connor’s, it’s eerie.
I’ve never actually seen his brothers in person, only photos, but there’s no denying the resemblance between the three of them as my eyes adjust to the dimmer lighting, spotting Gabriel and Archer on the other side of the room. Dark hair, identical blue eyes, chiseled jaws, broad shoulders. It’s like they won the genetics jackpot.
I search for a willowy blonde, but only find a woman with light brown hair, an air of assertive energy surrounding her as she walks around the space inspecting things, checking items off on her clipboard.
“Is that their wedding planner?” I whisper to Connor while we’re still out of earshot of the others.
“That’s Gabriel’s girlfriend, Mackenzie. She owns an event planning business, so they’re handling everything.”
“They?”
“Gabriel works with her,” he explains. “He says he really likes it.”
I nod, not realizing he works in a field so different from his brothers.
“What’s Archer doing now?” All I know is he left Bishop Industries about a month ago, but Connor never said why.
“Not anything at the moment, but he’s considering consulting work. He thinks it’ll be more fulfilling and he can pick and choose what he wants to do.”
I can’t quite say for sure, but is there the slightest hint of jealousy in his voice? Or am I reading too far into things? “Did you think any more about what I said? Making your job different so you like it more?”
“It’s not that simple,” he says stubbornly, the same as he did last time.
“Why?”
He glances over at me, whispering, “Let’s talk about it later.”
Tingles wash over me at the way he says it, the low timbre of his voice, the implied connection between us. My mind is obviously attributing more significance to the statement than it warrants, but I can’t help it.
Gabriel approaches us, smiling broadly, and claps Connor on the back. “Who’d you bring?” His gaze flicks between us, studying me in particular as he tries to figure out what our relationship is. Even if Connor doesn’t date girls in public, does he ever bring them to meet his family?
“This is my assistant, Emma.”
His brother frowns. “What happened to Vivian?”
“She took an extended leave to be with her daughter and new grandson,” I reply. “She’ll be back in a couple of weeks.”
Gabriel nods, crossing his arms over his chest as he studies me. “I’m sorry, have we met? You look so familiar.”
“I do?” I tuck my hair behind my ears, not liking everyone’s gaze suddenly on me. Even Archer and Mackenzie have stopped to stare from across the room. “I’ve definitely never met you before.”
“Maybe it’s your eyes?” He shakes his head, lips twisting. “I swear it’s not a pickup line. But there’s something about them…”
“They’re the same shade as Serena’s,” Archer says, coming up to stand on Connor’s other side, expression solemn.
The blood drains from my face, and I do everything I can to not let my panic show. There’s no way they could put two and two together like that. Lots of people have green eyes. It’s not that uncommon.
“What’s going on?” a soft voice murmurs from behind me, and though I’ve never heard her speak, I know exactly who it is.
“Come here and stand next to her.” Gabriel motions to Serena, who looks at me wide-eyed as she approaches. “Tell me I’m not crazy. They have the same eyes.”
I firm my mouth before it starts trembling as everyone stares at us, resisting the urge to shut my eyes and flee. That will only raise suspicions.
“Oh, yeah,” Mackenzie says, stopping her inspection to join in. “I see it. Even the shape.”
“That’s so weird,” I mumble, not sure how else to deflect.