“Of course. Please, take your time. I’ll go sit and talk to Bekka. She’s in the other room.”
She took her suitcase and rolled it into the bedroom. “What’s her room number? I’ll come by when I’m ready.”
“She’s through the connecting door. Just knock.”
There had better be a lock on that door.
“Fine. Will do. Give me a few minutes.” She closed the bedroom door leaving Bryan on the other side.
Ginny was going to laugh her ass off and then remind Marissa that she been warned. So, maybe Ginny wasn’t going to find out about this part.
Who was she kidding? She told Ginny everything. And this was their thing—she did something stupid, and Ginny said “I told you not to do that stupid thing” and then they laughed for an hour on Zoom while drinking wine.
She washed her hands, touched up her makeup, and shook out her hair, then put on more deodorant. She changed into a cute but comfortable dress and pulled on a chunky cardigan over it. When she felt good enough for a camera, she found the adjoining door, and discovered that it did have a lock on it, but it still felt too close for comfort. She opened her side and knocked.
“Coming!” The door swung open, and Marissa knew instantly that the world hated her.
Standing there was the gamine, wild woodland creature of a minx that she’d dated in college.
Rebekka Harker.
Fuck me.
Though it did appear that Beks had combed her hair today.
She ignored the instant tingle of attraction as the little hairs stood up on her arms. She had a type and, as appearances went, Beks was pretty much the sweet spot.
Damn it.
She rolled her eyes and snorted a laugh. “Really? You’re the sister?”
Bekka’s eyes went wide, and those pretty lips popped open. “Well, motherfucker.”
Yep. Same filthy mouth too. This was beyond ridiculous. “You agreed to take fake honeymoon photos?You?”
“I did. My brother needed a favor. He didn’t tell me the most—the most challenging human on earth was going to be here.”
Challenging? Rebekka was essentially feral. “Well, he didn’t tell me I was going to be posing with a Neanderthal.”
Bryan stared at both of them like they were playing tennis. “Bekka, just shut up, take a picture holding the fucking champagne, and help me. It’s not my fault the wedding didn’t happen, but it is my job!”
Marissa glared at Bryan. “It’s notmyfault the wedding didn’t happen either, just so you know. Let’s get this damn picture over with. My champagne and hot tub are calling me.” She turned around and moved back into the room.
“I didn’t know you knew her?” Bryan whispered, and Beks hissed back.
“I don’t know every lesbian in the country!”
Marissa snorted. “Your sister is an introvert. She doesn’t know anybody.”
“My sister runs a successful business. She’s got tons of clients. Are you sure you’ve met?”
“Oh, I’m sure. She has a little moon-shaped birthmark on her ass.” She picked up the champagne. “And she bites.”
“Oh, my god!”
“Yep.” Beks unbelted a huge, Bohemian tunic, letting it float around her. “Let’s do this. Keep my face out of the pictures.”
“I can say that? No face? I don’t want my face either.” She wasn’t entirely sure she could muster up a genuine-looking smile right now anyway. She stood near the end of the bed, champagne in hand, and looked out at the view, which was spectacular. Mountains, snow, blue sky… “That’s pretty.”