Page 139 of See You There

Cara’s lips turned down.

“That’s why what I need is such a big ask. I won’t be upset or have any hard feelings if you say no, especially Cara. I want to show her I’m not—that we aren’t—afraid to stand with her.”

Wes’s lips parted. Luke could see in his eyes that the younger man understood, before the rest of them, what he was asking, and was going to object.

“What do you want us to do, Luke?” James asked.

Luke’s gaze fell to his little sister. “I hate to ask this of you, Car-bear, and if I could think of anything else, I would. I would never want to put you through this.”

Cara stepped away from her husband and tilted her chin. “You want me to go to the premiere and make it clear that she’s someone I support?”

Guilt swirled in Luke’s stomach. If it were for anyone other than Dahlia…

“I want you to go to the premiere… I want usallto go to the premiere, as a family. You wouldn’t be alone, I—”

Wes shook his head, his shoulders bunching, and his eyes burned with anger when they met Luke’s. “No.”

Cara kept her eyes on Luke, ignoring the fact her husband looked like he was about to murder Luke.

Luke didn’t blame him.

“You love her?’

“I do.”

“And you really think this could make a difference?” Cara chewed her lip.

“Yes. The Bloom family's first public outing in years will get media attention. Steal some of the momentum from the story about her family, possibly even saving her career.”

“After what your sister went through, I can’t believe you’d ask that of her!” Wes’s face flushed with anger.

Cara studied her fingers splayed in front of her, toying with her wedding rings. She turned to face her husband, looping her arms around his waist. “He wouldn’t ask me if he wasn’t desperate.”

The couple stared into each other’s eyes, emotions warring on Wes’s face. Finally, his shoulders slumped, and he gave an almost imperceptible nod. In the past, Luke would have made a joke about Wes being pussy whipped, but now he understood.

Cara turned back to face her brothers. “We’re Blooms. We stick together. I can’t hide forever.” A sly smile crept over her face. “Besides, I think I might like a splashy reentrance to the world with my handsome husband on my arm.”

Wes still looked concerned. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

“It might be fun and will be great coverage for my new business.”

“I’m sure Matt will be there,” James said with a serious expression, “which means there’s a good chance that Courtney and Chris will, too.”

Anne swore under her breath. “I’m coming, too. I think it’s important we go as a family.”

Her husband, Bruce, who had stayed silent until now, spoke up. “I think it’s probably too much.”

“I’ll wear flats and make a brief appearance. Cara, you can help me bedazzle my cane.”

Cara’s face lit up. “I could ask my friend Jared if they have anything splashy in the wardrobe department.”

“What’s wrong with my cane?” Anne cocked an eyebrow. “I might need a dress, though.”

“What about that purple sheath?” Cara asked. “It’s so pretty.”

“Do you think it’s fancy enough?”

Luke listened while they chattered about what they should wear. Wes joined Bruce at the table. Both men understanding that they’d be there for a while. He heard James on the phone asking the concierge of the hotel he lived in to take his tux to the cleaners.