Hitched (Hitched #1)(41)

The moment we walk in I can see why his sister would want to stay here. The ornate double doors open wide to a cream entryway framed by cream and wrought iron stairways on either side.

Above us a chandelier casts lights off the walls and showers us with fragments of that light reflecting off of crystals.

The first person I meet is his little sister, Clara, who comes running in and throws herself into her big brother's arms. "Sebastian! It's so good to see you."

He drops his suitcase and wraps his arms around her, swinging her around like a child. "You too, kiddo. Sorry it's been so long."

She steps out of his embrace to look at him, and I take the moment to study her. She's beautiful. More petite than her brother with fine bones and pale skin contrasted against dark shoulder-length hair and large hazel eyes. She wears glasses perched on her nose as if she's been reading and forgot to take them off.

When she turns to look at me, I tense, worried this lovely elf of a girl will find me wanting in some way, not good enough for her amazing brother.

Instead, she smiles warmly and moves in to hug me.

I'm used to PDA with Tate and Vi, so this doesn't bother me at all, and I return her hug enthusiastically.

"It's so good to meet you," Clara says. "Sebastian couldn't stop talking about you last time he called to let us know he'd be bringing you."

I eye Sebastian, unaware that he'd been talking me up to his family. I guess it makes sense though. He couldn't just bring me unannounced to a wedding. "It's nice meeting you too," I tell her honestly. "Sebastian sings your praises as well."

She beams and grabs my hand. "Let me show you around while my brother takes your luggage upstairs."

Sebastian scowls. "Stealing her away already?"

"We need girl time to get to know each other. Mom and Dad aren't home yet from their errands, but it shouldn't be too much longer."

"And Matt?"

She frowns for the first time. "You know Matt. We'll be lucky if he deigns to honor us with his presence at all this weekend." She makes shooing motions at him. "Now go!"

Sebastian looks to me as if to ask if I'm okay. I nod and smile, confident that Clara and I will get along just fine. He leans in, takes my face in both of his hands, and kisses me. "I'll miss you," he says in a husky voice that makes me weak in the knees.

Clara giggles as Sebastian takes the stairs two at a time, suitcases in both hands.

I hate to be away from him as well, but I link arms with Clara and wonder if this will be my chance to get the inside scoop on the sexy doctor who is coming close to stealing my heart.

***

The house is tastefully decorated in shades of off-white with black accents everywhere. I love it. But when we go outside and explore the stables, I nearly die.

Horses. I loved horses when I was a child—what little girl doesn't?—but I rarely got to ride one, despite growing up in the farm land of Mansfield, Ohio.

Clara hands me a carrot to give to a beautiful white filly, who eats it greedily from my palm.

"Does Sebastian like riding?" I ask, trying to imagine him on one of these horses.

She grins. "Loves it. Hard to imagine, right? Mr. Big Shot Doctor astride a horse, but he's been riding since he was old enough to walk. You should have him take you for a ride while you're here."

I pat the horse's nose as we move on with our tour. "Maybe I will."

As we walk through manicured gardens with a variety of plants, trees and flowers, Clara turns to me. "Sebastian said you two got married."

Damn him. He should have warned me they knew. "Yes, in a manner of speaking. But it will be annulled soon. I've already sent in the paperwork."

"I've never seen him like this with anyone else," she says softly.

"Like what?" My heart is aching.

"Happy," she says simply.

We sit on a bench and watch the light around us change as the sun begins to set.

"Try not to break his heart," she begs, her eyes wide and earnest. "He's already had that happen once."

"Was he happy with her. Before?"

Clara pauses, thinking, before she shrugs. "He had moments where things were okay, but they never seemed a fit, you know? The pregnancy gave them the illusion of closeness. Gave them a reason to make it official, I guess. But, she… she's so calculating and cold. I could never imagine them together forever. And then the baby died, and she showed her true colors."

"I know what you mean. The few times I've met her she's been… a bitch."

Clara laughs. "I was trying to be delicate, but yes, you've nailed it on the head. She's a world-class bitch. I'm glad she'll never be my sister-in-law."

She gives me a look that says she hopes I will be, and I don't know what I'm feeling.

Instead I change the subject. "This house, these grounds, they are impressive. Sebastian never mentioned what your father did for a living."

"He teaches sixth grade English at the local high school," she says.

I stare at her. "Seriously?"

She nods.

"But… " I don't know how to ask my next question without sounding shallow.

"How do we afford all this?"