REBECCA MOORE FOLLOWED her younger sister, Celeste,
through the spacious lobby of The Delaford Resort and Spa,
feeling much like a plain sparrow in an elegant, gilded
cage — out of her element and surrounded by an opulence
that was completely foreign to her. Certain she'd never
set foot in such an exclusive hotel again in her lifetime,
she took it all in, from the lush, green plants and
tastefully neutral decor, to the large, elaborate fountain
dominating the middle of the lobby.
While Celeste was marrying into money and had become
accustomed to spending it, Rebecca had learned at a very
young age to be frugal and economical when it came to
parting with cash. Years of scrimping and saving, and
being practical with her purchases, had become a way of
life for her. Now, even at the age of thirty-two, she just
couldn't imagine splurging hundreds of dollars at a luxury
resort when a room at the Holiday Inn would do just as
well.
But the next three days weren't about what she would have
preferred. This weekend was all about her sister, Celeste,
and her much anticipated marriage to Greg Markham the
Third. And both the wedding and reception would be taking
place at The Delaford, thanks to the Markhams' unending
generosity and bottomless financial resources.
Since Greg was their only child, they'd insisted on a
large, luxurious wedding, not to mention paying for
everything, including what the bride's family should have
been responsible for. With both of their parents gone, and
no close relatives to speak of, the bride's family —
specifically, Rebecca — just didn't have the kind of money
to pay for such a grand and lavish ceremony and reception,
and she was grateful that Celeste was getting the kind of
no-expense-spared fairy-tale wedding every girl dreamed
about.
"Would you stop thinking about the cost of everything and
just enjoy yourself this weekend?" Celeste said as she
pushed the button for the elevator.
Her sister's tone was laced with amusement, but the
knowing look in Celeste's gaze dared Rebecca to refute her
claim. Of course, Rebecca couldn't argue where her
thoughts had strayed. The habit of being penny-wise was
just too damned ingrained for her to deny.
"Don't worry, I have every intention of having a great
time while we're here," Rebecca assured her sister with an
indulgent grin. "I have a bunch of wedding-related
festivities to go to, not to mention a swanky ceremony to
attend."
Celeste laughed, her pretty cornflower-blue eyes sparkling
happily. "Yes, you do. And if you play your cards right,
you might even get lucky this weekend."
Rebecca didn't care for the sly note she detected in her
sister's voice, but before she could ask what Celeste
meant the elevator doors slid open and they stepped
inside. The interior was just as elegant as the rest of
the hotel, with flooring gleaming in marble and the walls
mirrored and edged in gold trim.
Catching sight of their reflection together, Rebecca was
once again reminded of all the extreme differences between
herself and her sister that went beyond the six years that
separated them. While they both possessed blonde hair and
blue eyes, Celeste's hair was long and flowing with no
definitive style, and Rebecca's cut was sleek, smooth, and
a manageable chin-length. Her sister wore cute, trendy
outfits that matched her bubbly attitude, and Rebecca
preferred a more tailored, practical look that was a
direct reflection of her own sensible personality.
Then again, with Rebecca taking on a parental role to
Celeste at the young age of sixteen while their father was
working, she'd done her best to make sure that her ten-
year-old sister was spared the kind of adult pressures,
responsibilities and worries that Rebecca had taken on
after their mother had passed away. In a lot of ways,
Rebecca had treated Celeste more as a daughter than a
sister, in an attempt to make sure that her younger
sibling enjoyed a carefree childhood as much as their
unconventional lifestyle had allowed. Judging by the
radiant, vivacious woman Celeste had become, Rebecca knew
she'd done her job well.
As the elevator started its upward climb, Rebecca turned
to Celeste, unwilling to let her sister's earlier comment
slide without finding out what was behind the cryptic
remark. "So, what do you mean by 'get lucky'?"
An oh-so-innocent smile curved the corners of Celeste's
pink, glossy lips. "Well, it's Valentine's weekend, and a
certain someone is going to be here," she replied
meaningfully. "And since you're my maid of honor and he's
Greg's best man, you'll be spending an awful lot of time
together. It's a perfect scenario for Cupid to strike two
people who need love and passion in their lives." Celeste
sighed dreamily, obviously thinking of her own passionate
love-life with her soon-to-be husband.
Rebecca knew exactly who her sister was referring to and
she highly doubted that Connor Bassett, one of San Francis-
co's most eligible and wealthy bachelors, had any problems
finding love or passion. Most likely, with his sexy bad-
boy looks and the allure of his fat bank account, both
were thrown at his feet on a regular basis by very willing
women.
Rebecca shook her head at her sister's whimsical
hopes. "You're way too much of a romantic, Celeste." And
Rebecca was much too practical to believe in a mythical
character such as Cupid.
"One of us has to be," Celeste said with a wave of her
hand. The huge, three-karat diamond on her left hand ring
finger caught the light in the elevator, nearly blinding
Rebecca with its brilliant sparkle. "You've spent all
these years raising me and giving up your own personal
life in the process. I managed to find my Prince Charming.
Is it so bad of me to want you to find yours?"
Her sister had a heart of gold, but if Celeste believed
that Connor Bassett was Rebecca's white knight, her sister
was sorely mistaken. The man might have the ability to
send her hormones into a frenzy whenever he was near, but
he just wasn't her image of an ideal mate. The man was six
years younger than she was and spent his days playing
video games. Sure, he'd made millions as a gaming expert,
but he squandered his money on the most frivolous, self-
indulgent things. His devil-may-care way of life went
against her much more modest, pragmatic outlook. Other
than her intense physical attraction to Connor, the two of
them just didn't mesh. The last thing she wanted was for
Celeste to hold out any hope that the two of them would
hook up in any way.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Cece," Rebecca said, using
the nickname she'd given her sister as a baby. "But my
Prince Charming is definitely not Connor."
The elevator came to a smooth stop. When the doors glided
open quietly, they stepped out together, making a left
toward the north wing of the hotel where Celeste's room
was located. "You have to admit that he's a dream to look
at," Celeste said of her own fiancé" s best friend,
apparently not done trying to sway Rebecca. "And he
certainly couldn't be more obvious about his interest in
you."
Rebecca laughed at that, because over the three years that
her sister had dated Greg, she'd quickly learned that
Connor had flirting down to an art form. There was no
denying that he tempted and teased her with sexy innuendos
whenever their paths crossed, but she was smart enough to
know that his interest in her wasn't exclusive. If
anything, he enjoyed the thrill of the chase and she
undoubtedly proved to be a challenge for him. The man was
a consummate playboy, and his short-lived track record
with other women proved he was more interested in a good
time than establishing a substantial or lasting
relationship.
"Connor is fascinated by anything wearing a skirt and high
heels," Rebecca said lightly. "I don't think I've ever
seen him with the same woman twice."
That observation didn't seem to concern Celeste as they
continued down the corridor. "Well, he's coming solo this
weekend."
So, he was experiencing a slump at the moment. The man was
entitled, but Rebecca wasn't looking to be his weekend
replacement. "The only arm candy I'll be for Connor is
during your wedding," she told her sister. "That's it."
"You're getting too stuffy in your old age," Celeste said,
the concern in her tone overriding the insult behind her
words, which Rebecca knew her sister hadn't intended. "You
need to live a little, Becca. Break out of that parental
mode you've been living in since Mom died."
Becoming a maternal figure to her then ten-year-old sister
had been a necessary transition for Rebecca, then
eventually a habit she couldn't break. Their father,
Curtis, had worked for a plumbing parts company that
required him to travel often, which had left Rebecca in
charge of things at home — not only raising Celeste, but
cooking and cleaning, and even handling the finances. And
it hadn't taken Rebecca long to discover that her father
spent more money than he earned and charged thousands of
dollars on his credit cards on big ticket items and never
paid off the revolving balance. Mainly because he couldn't.
"I'm getting married and moving out of our apartment as
soon as I get back from my honeymoon with Greg," Celeste
went on with her sisterly lecture. "You're going to be all
alone for the first time ever, and you don't even have a
boyfriend to keep you company. Heck, for that matter,
you've barely dated in the past few years."
"I haven't found anyone worth dating," she said with a
nonchalant shrug. "There is a guy in the accounting
department at the hospital who's asked me out a couple of
times. Maybe after this weekend I'll go to dinner with him
and see how it goes from there."
"Ooooh, that sounds so exciting and adventurous," her
sister said with an exaggerated roll of her eyes. "The two
of you can discuss hospital billing codes while eating
your meal."
"Stuart is a nice guy," Rebecca said in automatic defense.
They came to a stop at a set of double doors and Celeste
retrieved a plastic key card from her purse. "I'm sure
he's very nice, but if he's a pencil pusher, my guess is
that he's boooorrrring — just like every other guy you've
dated," she added beneath her breath.
Stuart was stable, responsible and dependable. Not that
she expected her sister to understand Rebecca's need to
find a man with the kind of qualities and traits their own
father had lacked. Rebecca had done her best to protect
Celeste from the harsh realities of their lives after
their mother's death so she'd never been truly aware of
their father's erratic spending sprees, which had
eventually put their house into foreclosure and had forced
him to file for bankruptcy.
Celeste had lived a carefree life, never needing to worry
about money as a child because Rebecca made sure her
sister always had whatever she needed. But for Rebecca,
the loss of the only home she'd ever known had been
absolutely devastating. Even though her father had died of
a heart attack over ten years ago, that event in her life
had cemented a deep determination to make sure she never
found herself in that kind of dire financial situation
again. And that meant finding a man who knew how to manage
money much better than her own father had.
Celeste opened the door to her room, and Rebecca followed
her inside, once again stunned by what awaited them. She
stared in silent wonder at the extravagance of the suite —
from the elegant furniture, to the richly textured
draperies, to the opulent-looking decor. Everywhere there
were fresh flowers arranged in expensive crystal vases,
their intoxicating scent filling the air around her.
"Wow," Rebecca breathed, admiring the elaborate crown
molding framing the ceiling of the living room, which gave
way to cream-and-gold patterned wallpaper. "Greg's family
certainly didn't spare any expense on the bridal suite,
did they?"
"Will you stop already?" Celeste said in exasperation as
she set her designer straw handbag on a glass-topped table.
Rebecca grinned. "Hey, you've had three years to get used
to living this kind of life. I'm just getting my first
glimpse of 'Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.'"
Winking at her sister, Rebecca looped her arm through
Celeste's and guided them toward the open French doors
that led to a terrace. Once they reached the wrought-iron
railing, they had a perfect view of the landscaped
courtyard below, as well as the rolling fairways of the
resort's golf course. Beyond that they could see the faint
outline of the shops and boutiques that lined one of the
main streets in town.
"So, what's on your agenda for the afternoon?" Rebecca
asked, hoping that they'd have some alone time to spend
together before everything turned crazy for the wedding.
"I'm meeting with Greg's mom to go over some of the last-
minute wedding and reception details with the planner,"
Celeste said, her expression apologetic. "I have no idea
how long everything is going to take."
Rebecca experienced a familiar stab of regret, along with
a small pang of jealousy she valiantly tried to shake off.
The past few months had been difficult for her, especially
having to watch her sister bond with Greg's mother,
Carole, over the wedding preparations, when Rebecca wished
it were her instead.
When Celeste had first announced her engagement, Rebecca
had wanted to be a part of the planning, but with her work
schedule and the Markhams footing the bill, it had been
easier for Carole to accompany Celeste during those
outings. Not that Carole ever made Rebecca feel unwelcome
when she had gotten the chance to join them, but it was
always a painful reminder that she was losing her sister
to another family, and soon Celeste would no longer be a
part of Rebecca's life on a daily basis.
"That's fine," Rebecca said, and swallowed the tight knot
of emotion gathering in her throat. "I understand."
"Thank you." Celeste appeared relieved. "While I'm gone, I
need you to do me a favor, if you can."
Rebecca squeezed her sister's hand. "Anything, you know
that." And she meant every word. There wasn't a thing she
wouldn't do for her sister.
"There's a brand new candy shop a few blocks from here on
Larchmont Street that makes the most incredible chocolates
and confections," Celeste said, her expression turning to
one of heavenly bliss, since chocolate was one of her
greatest weaknesses. "When I was here last week I placed a
special order for some petits fours for tonight's cocktail
get-together with the bridal party and family. I was
hoping you could pick them up for me so that would be one
less thing I have to worry about today."
Rebecca figured running the errand for her sister was
better than sitting alone in her hotel room for the next
few hours thumbing through a magazine. "Consider it done."
"You're the best!" Celeste wrapped her arms around Rebecca
in a warm, exuberant hug. "The shop is right down the
street and close enough to walk to, or you can take a cab
instead, if you like."
"I think I'll walk." Rebecca wasn't about to miss the
chance to enjoy such a gorgeous, sunny day by taking a cab
ride.
"What's the place called?"
"Sinfully Sweet. And I can personally guarantee that the
shop lives up to its name."
Rebecca was definitely intrigued by her sister's comment.
While chocolate wasn't one of her basic food groups as it
was for Celeste, she did enjoy the occasional sweet treat.
Together, they took the elevator back down to the lobby,
then Rebecca waved good-bye to her sister, heading out of
the hotel and down the resort's entry road that led to the
main streets. In no particular hurry to reach the candy
shop, she strolled along casually, taking in the sights
while enjoying the warmth of the sun on her skin and the
slight breeze tousling her hair.
When she reached Larchmont Street she made a right as her
sister had instructed, and sauntered past specialty
boutiques, a quaint outdoor café, and other unique stores.
She window shopped along the way, admiring clothes and
jewelry and other one-of-a-kind novelties and antiques
until a designer handbag boutique gave way to an adjoining
shop displaying in their window the most delectable-
looking candies and chocolates. The glossy black and gilt
name on the window, Sinfully Sweet, confirmed that she'd
reached her destination.