Page 56 of Richard

“How have you been?”

“Getting better.” Janice shrugged as she reached for her bowl. “I have been promoted to purchasing manager at my company.”

Her sister worked for a big retail company and had been with them for years.

“That’s wonderful news.”

She nodded.

“Uhm there is something I want to tell you.”

“Please. I am so happy you called me that I could hardly wait to see you. I really hope this means we are making headway in our relationship.” Her eyes became pleading. “I really want that to happen.”

Collette nodded. “It’s funny. I have hated you for so long and told myself that I would never forgive you.”

“Collette–”

“No, let me finish. What happened to me ten years ago felt as if it was the end of the road for me. I thought I would never recover.” She took a sip of her iced tea. Lifting shining eyes to her sister, she blurted. “I met someone.”

“Oh Collette!” Janice reached across the table and clasped her hand. “I am so happy for you. Is he–”

“Richard!”

“What–”the rest of the words died inside her throat when the familiar distinguished man came abreast of their table. Janice watched in shock as her sister rose and took his hand in hers. The look on the man’s face was so tender, it was obvious to anyone looking that he was in love.

“You didn’t say you would be here.”

“I had a meeting at the bank, so I decided to crash the party," he told her teasingly.

Turning his head and still holding Collette’s hand, he nodded to Janice.

“I suspect she was about to tell you the good news.”

Janice rose slowly, wondering if she was dreaming. “You are the– you are the person she met?”

“Yes. I doubt she got to the part where she invited you to the wedding?”

Janice’s gaze swung from Richard to her sister, and she felt as if her world was spinning.

“When?” she asked thinly.

“On Saturday at the courthouse at ten. Mother also wants to include you for dinner.” He turned to look at Collette, a gentle smile wreathing his face. “She is dying to meet you, love.”

“Does she know who I am?”

“Absolutely. She thinks you are radiant.” Ignoring the other woman, he lifted a hand to touch her cheek. “Now I really have to run.” Giving Janice a perfunctory nod, he left.

“You are marrying Richard McBride, music producer extraordinaire.” Janice was still standing and gazing after him dazedly.

“To me, he is just Richard.” Collette pressed a hand on her chest and took a breath. “Sit while I tell you everything.”

Chapter 13

“What do you think?” she asked just as he stepped into the room. He had insisted on her leaving almost everything at her place, including most of her clothing.

She had arrived at his lift to see several changes made, and one side of the closet filled with new stuff for her. He had thought of everything, including underwear and accessories, the very pricey ones. Her protests had gone unheard, naturally.

His eyes met hers in the full-length Queen Victoria mirror, his expression saying it all.