Page 46 of Desperate Justice

Ignoring Rafe and the others, she chose a seat far from them.

Diana followed her a few minutes later, yawning. She frowned at the array of food set out for guests.

“Not much choice,” she told Allison.

“Not all of us can afford a five-star breakfast at a waterfront restaurant,” she muttered.

Heading into the restroom to splash cold water on her face, she left Diana to muse over the selections.

By the time she fetched a plate of food and balanced it with her coffee, Rafe and Sam were tossing out their garbage. Rafe nodded to her.

She watched him walk out the door, the way his jeans hugged his oh-so-fine butt. The man had killer looks.

Watching her from the table, Diana snickered. “I think I know what you really want for breakfast and it isn’t eggs and sausage, but a different meal packaged in a nice pair of jeans.”

Allison scowled. “Stop it. Eat your breakfast.”

“Come on, Ally. Be human for a change and climb off that pedestal and admit you want him. Or at least his bod. He’s got a terrific bod and he’s super cute.”

Stung, she sipped her coffee. “Rafe and I are just friends, and I am not on a pedestal.”

“Can’t convince me of that. Everyone puts you on one, Ally. I’ve seen how they worship you.”

“Our parents?” Allison ate some eggs. “You’re the one who gets all their attention.”

Diana’s mouth turned down. “Right. They always worried I’m going to screw up again. Not you, the perfect daughter. And I’ve seen how your coworkers respect you, Ally. How they all look to you, even that ER doctor.”

This was news to her. Allison drank more coffee and took a long look at her sister, seeing more than her perfect body, her astonishing good looks.

She set down the cup carefully and reached for Diana’s hand. “Jellybean, are you okay? Do you love Paul?”

Moisture glistened in her sister’s eyes. “Yes, I mean, of course I love him. I’m marrying him, right?”

Not a good answer. “Hon, if you want to back out, it’s not too late. No one will think bad of you. It’s your life.”

Diana stared at her plate, her long hair curtaining her face. “It’s not really my life, Ally. I can’t screw up again. Not this time.”

Now she felt truly confused. “Screw up? You, the perfect daughter?”

“Perfect?” Diana shoved at her plate. “You’re the perfect one, the smart one with the 4.0 GPA who got a scholarship, and went on to get your master’s as a trauma nurse practitioner. I’m the pretty, stupid daughter who Mom and Dad thought would never amount to anything much. Not like you.”

Whoa. “You’re not stupid, Diana.”

What happened here? All this time she’d thought Diana had everything, doted upon by their adoring parents. She’d been wrong, so wrong.

Misery etched her baby sister’s face as she raised her head. “I can’t afford to screw up again, Ally. I have to go through with Paul... He’s good to me and loves me so much. He has business connections, he helped get me this new modeling contract in South Beach. I owe him.”

“Owing someone is no reason to get married, jellybean. Love is.”

Diana brushed at her face and waved a hand. “I love him, I really do love him. I just don’t want to botch this marriage and look like a fool again.”

Allison frowned. “You’re not a fool, Di. And it’s your life, not anyone else’s. I want to see you happy.”

Her sister squeezed her hand. “I know. I love you. You always have such good advice.”

Troubled, she squeezed back. “Whatever you need, Di, I’m here for you.”

“Anyway, can you give me a minute alone? I don’t want those guys to see me unraveling. I have to keep up appearances.”