Susan Mallery: The Ultimate Millionaire

We’re having the best time. I can’t wait to get more pictures and e-mails from you. Again, you’re a total goddess for doing this!

Love and hugs, Julie

Marina opened the cardboard box and reached for the tape dispenser. After sealing the bottom of the carton, she flipped it over and then looked at the bookshelves in the hallway.

“Does Julie really need to keep all these?” she asked, even though she already knew the answer.

Willow stuck her head out of the bedroom where she’d gone to tackle clothes. “Of course. They’re books. She’ll keep them forever.”

“Does Ryan know what he’s getting into? The whole pack rat thing?”

Willow grinned. “She’s not a pack rat and yes, he knows exactly what he’s getting into.”

“Well, I didn’t have a clue,” Marina grumbled. “Between helping you pack Julie’s place, you handling the renovations at their new place and me planning Julie’s wedding, she is going to owe us big time. We’re going to have to break our legs or something and force both of them to serve us.”

“She’ll be there every second of our recovery,” Willow promised. She held out her left hand and pointed. “Would you hand that to me?”

Marina didn’t turn to see the object in question. Instead she stared at her sister’s ring finger—or more specifically, at the stunning diamond ring glinting there.

“You’re engaged!” Marina yelled. “I’m so happy for you.”

Willow laughed, then they were hugging and jumping up and down together.

“It’s so beautiful,” Marina said, grabbing her sister’s hand and studying the impressive cushion-cut stone surrounded by baguettes. “When did this happen? You didn’t say anything. How could you not blab the second you saw me?”

“It was hard,” Willow admitted. “But I wanted a great reaction and you gave me one.” She stared down at the ring. “As to the when, it was just last night. Kane and I had talked about getting married before, when he came to his senses and realized he loved me. But between then and now there hasn’t been a word. I was willing to give him time to get used to the idea of just being in a serious relationship.”

They moved into the living room and fell onto the sofa. Marina smiled at Willow’s happy expression.

“Who would have thought that the strong silent type would turn out to be such a great guy,” she said, thrilled that Kane had been the one in a million Willow deserved.

Her sister sighed. “I know. It’s a miracle. He’s incredible. Last night we were having dinner together. It was really romantic and there was music and suddenly he was on one knee and holding out the ring and saying he wanted to marry me and be with me forever.” Tears filled her eyes. “I never thought my life could be so wonderful.”

Marina hugged her again. “I’m happy for you. Beyond happy. Delighted. Giddy. There are other words I can’t think of right now.”

“I’m happy, too,” Willow said.

Marina leaned against the cushion. “Two of my sisters getting married. I’ll be the old maid aunt, a favorite of the children, but you adults will worry that I’m slowly slipping into madness.”

Willow rolled her eyes. “Please. You’re too smart for that. But I would say to be careful. Love is in the air and all that.”

Marina shook her head. “I’m immune. Which is fine with me. I’m not looking to get married anytime soon.”

“What about falling in love?”

“Maybe next year.”

In truth, she liked the idea of falling for a guy. But along with the desire to be in love was a healthy dose of fear. Giving away her heart looked a little to much like giving away her sense of self. First Aunt Ruth, then her mother. Marina wasn’t willing to be like either of them.

“So, another wedding,” she said. “Have you two picked a date?”

“We’re thinking spring. Well, after Julie’s wedding, but before the baby’s born.”

“I can help with the planning. I’ll be an expert.”

“I would love that,” Willow told her. “I wouldn’t know where to start.”

“Just ask me anything. Or Todd. He’s actually pretty good at the whole wedding planning thing. Just don’t tell him I said that.”

Willow shifted so they were facing each other. “Really? He’s not awful?”

“No,” Marina said, still surprised by that bit of news. “He’s actually nice. Funny, charming…I like him. I didn’t expect that at all. I thought he’d be a jerk. I really didn’t want to work with him on the wedding, but even though we don’t agree on everything, I like having him help. It’s a big responsibility and I like having someone to share in the process. Plus, he’s fairly good-looking. Even if my day is going badly, it’s fun to have a little eye candy to look forward to.”

“I don’t think he’s the kind of guy who likes being called eye candy.”

“Probably not, but we won’t mention it.”

Willow studied her. “So this is good?” she asked. “With Julie and Ryan getting married, Todd is kind of in the family now. We’ll all be friends?”

“I think so. We’ll mock his choice of women when he brings dates, but that will be entertaining.”

“Something to look forward to,” Willow said. “Todd’s not the kind of guy to hang out by himself.”

Marina nodded in agreement, but found herself wondering about the other women in Todd’s life. No doubt he was seeing someone right now. Who was she? Some socialite or heiress? A high-powered businesswoman? Marina would guess that whoever she was, her wardrobe consisted of more than jeans and UCLA sweat shirts.

Not that she, Marina, was trying to impress him. They were working together on the wedding. Nothing more. Except he’d kissed her. She still couldn’t seem to forget the flash of heat and need and desire that had nearly overwhelmed her. And that had been from a kind of nothing kiss. What would happen if he kissed her like he meant it?

“He’s actually my date for the wedding,” Marina said. “We both promised Grandma Ruth we’d go on one date and the wedding seemed the easiest.”

“Once again I encourage you to marry him so I can have a million-dollar nest egg,” Willow said with a grin.

“Kane has money.”

“Yes, but that’s his money. A fortune of my own would be kind of fun.”

Marina shook her head. “Sorry. I don’t have any big plans to marry Todd. Not even for a million dollars.”

“What about five million? I’ll bet Grandma Ruth would be delighted to cough up a little more cash.”

“Not interested.”

Willow sighed. “I thought our sisterly love was supposed to be unconditional. I hate that it has limits.”

“Life can be tragic.”

Willow glanced back at her ring. “There are some bright spots. I have Kane.”

“Yes, you do.”

Willow looked at her. “You’re next. Things happen in threes. First Julie, then me, so it’s your turn.”

“I don’t think it works like that.”

Not that she would say no to her own happily ever after, but there were complications. Falling for a guy meant trusting him completely. While she could see that happening, it also meant trusting herself, which she was a lot less sure about.

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