Only His (Fool's Gold #6)(62)

“Ever the romantic,” Nevada teased.

Charlie eyed her over her margarita. “Your sisters are getting married.”

Nevada took another drink, then sighed. “That sounds more like an accusation than a question.”

“I didn’t mean it to. I guess I’m surprised.”

Nevada realized the other two women were looking at her with identical expressions of concern. “Uh-oh. You’ve been talking about this.”

Heidi leaned toward her. “A little. Don’t be mad. We’re worried. You’re a triplet.”

“I kind of knew that.”

“What she means,” Annabelle said, “is you’ve always done things together and now they’re getting married. We’re worried.”

Nevada felt a rush of affection for the three of them. “Thank you, but don’t be. I’m fine. I love my sisters and I’m okay with the wedding.”

She paused, admitting to herself that she felt a little left out. “Maybe it’s a little strange, but I don’t want anything to change.”

Heidi wrinkled her nose. “I know I’m new and I shouldn’t have an opinion.”

“Don’t let that stop you,” Charlie told her.

“I like your sisters,” Heidi continued. “But it seems kind of mean to have a double wedding, leaving you out. Shouldn’t they have gotten married separately?”

“Yes,” Jo said, coming up to the table with a huge plate of nachos. “That would have made the most sense. But they’re in love and happy and people do crazy things when they’re in love. Dakota and Montana love their sister and would never want to hurt her. They really want to have a double wedding. There’s no way to reconcile the two.”

“I’m not hurt,” Nevada said. “I mean that. Sure, I feel funny about it, but I want them to have the wedding of their dreams. I’ll be part of it and that’s what is important.”

Jo put down a stack of napkins and four small plates. “You four are going to get drunk tonight, aren’t you?”

“Maybe,” Charlie admitted.

“Everyone walking?” Jo asked.

When they all nodded, she said, “The next round is on the house, then.”

“Someone’s in a good mood,” Nevada said, staring at the bartender.

Jo gave a slight smile. “Maybe. But don’t press me on it or I’ll rescind the offer.”

With that she strolled away.

Nevada stared after her. “I guess things are going well with Will. He’s been a pretty happy guy. Everyone’s in love but me.”

The second the words were out, she winced. “I said that aloud, didn’t I?”

The other three nodded.

“Crap. Sorry.”

“Don’t be,” Annabelle told her. “Love is great. Except for when it’s ripping out your heart and stomping on it.”

“You, too?” Heidi asked.

“Oh, I’m the poster girl for picking the wrong guy. Trust me, if there’s a selfish bastard within a fifty-mile radius, I’m all over him. Or I was. I’m in the process of retraining myself.”

“How’s that going?” Charlie asked.

“Slow. What about you?”

“Guys find me intimidating.” Charlie shrugged. “Most days I like that.” She glanced around the table. “So Heidi is dealing with her fear of cows, Annabelle’s trying to get over falling for the wrong guy.”

“Again and again,” Annabelle added. “Let’s be specific.”

“Sure. I’ve given up on finding anyone because men are stupid.” She turned to Nevada. “It’s all up to you. You’re going to have to represent us all on the road to happily-ever-after.”

Nevada had been swallowing as Charlie spoke and now she started to choke.

“Me? No way. I’m not good at relationships.”

“You’re seeing Tucker,” Heidi said. “Someone told me that at the grocery store, so it must be true. All the most accurate gossip comes from the grocery store.”

Nevada felt a scream building up in her chest. “‘Seeing’ is a little strong.”

“So, you’re just using him for sex.” Charlie touched her glass to Nevada’s. “I can respect that.”

“Can we talk about something else?” Nevada asked weakly.

Annabelle used her fork to slide several chips onto her plate. “Sure. That artist in town, Caterina Stoicasescu, came into the library this morning. She’s really interesting. Famous, but approachable. Do any of you know her?”

Nevada told herself that banging her head against the table wouldn’t help. But this was a good reminder to be careful about what she wished for.

TUCKER STARED at his calendar. “Why?” he asked, suddenly realizing his perfectly good day was going to spin slowly down the toilet.

Nevada glanced up. “Why what?”

“Our appointment with the mayor. Why?”

“I have no idea. She didn’t send an agenda.”

“Of course she didn’t. She wants to blindside us with something. That’s what city officials do.”

“Not here,” Nevada told him. “She’s happy about the construction. She wants the resort and casino. Because of the treaty with the last of the indigenous Máa-zib tribe, the city gets to tax whatever is built here. It’s not a high percentage, but this is a huge project. Do you know what this is going to do for city revenues? I wouldn’t worry about it.”