Page 20 of Don't Call Me Sweetheart (Something Borrowed 1)

Marley shifted in her seat, embarrassed. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have assumed otherwise.”

“Don’t apologize. I appreciate someone who speaks their mind. My parents and sister are so fake, sometimes I check for batteries.”

Marley choked on her coffee, wheezing with laughter. “Oh, my God, that visual.”

“It’s true. My parents started the restaurant chain Sonny’s Burger Shack. From the time I learned to walk, I knew everything was about appearances. And once Sonora hit it big, they used her popularity to boost the business. They have pictures of her all over the restaurants even though she altered her last name. She changed it from Stadarski to Star because she knew she was going to make it big, they tell people.” Kendall laughed. “Sorry, do I sound bitter?”

She did a bit, but Marley couldn’t blame her. It was always hard to live in a sibling’s shadow.

“I shouldn’t bitch about them. I love my family.”

Marley found herself reaching out to take the other woman’s hand. “I had a little sister, and believe me, I know how they can drive you crazy.”

Kendall met her gaze, her blue-green eyes studying her seriously. “Had?”

Marley realized the door she’d opened too late and her chest tightened. “Beth. She died.”

Kendall opened her mouth, probably to offer her condolences, but Sonora chose that moment to breeze through the door in a pair of black shiny shorts, and midriff-baring black and white halter top. The straps of her wedged heels wrapped up her tan, muscular calves, and as she clacked toward their table, she slid her big black sunglasses up, her eyes narrowed on her sister.

Kendall squeezed Marley’s hand and pulled away. She probably assumed that Marley was going to let Sonora kick her out of their table.

Not this time.

Sonora stopped at the end of the table and placed her hands on her curvy hips. “What are you doing here?”

“Relax, I just came in to grab breakfast and thought I’d get to know Marley a little.” Kendall started to slide out of the booth, but Marley put her hand on her arm.

“She can join us, Sonora. After all, we could use the extra help if you want to get this wedding together in eight weeks.”

Marley was sure that Sonora’s head was going to shoot through the air, there was so much steam coming out of her ears.

“We can handle it.”

“No, we can’t,” Marley said, firmly.

This was it. Good-bye bonus. She was getting fired and Kelly was going to be pissed.

To Marley’s surprise, Sonora slammed her purse down next to Kendall. “Scoot over, then.”

Kendall’s jaw dropped, but she did as her older sister said.

Once Sonora was composed again, she snapped her menu open and glared at Marley over it. “About my bridal shower…”

Marley waited, hoping for Sonora’s concession that one hundred was just too many people.

“My mother sent me a list of additional people to invite, so the count is actually more like one hundred and fifty.”

And there it was. Her punishment for defying Sonora’s will. To accomplish the impossible.

With a forced smile, Marley pulled out her note pad and a pen from her tote. “I’ll figure something out.”

* * * *

Luke went with Brent and his other groomsmen to get fitted for their tuxedos before heading out for drinks. Since the tuxes were the only task that Sonora appointed to Brent, he’d wanted to get it done and over with.

Brent’s two older brothers, Marcus and Edward sat at the bar, talking shop, while Paul and Wes, two of his friends from college, played darts in the corner of Shotgun Wedding Bar and Grill. They had all taken the week off to help Brent get ready, but now, it just seemed more like a guy’s week.

Brent took a long pull of his beer and set his mug down with a thunk. “I am getting married in less than two months.”