Maybe Savannah should rethink her decision? After all, Mom and Grandma’s new house wouldn’t be too far away from the Diamond. She would still be able to see Damien, and Madison, and Adrian.
Then she looked around at the places she’d grown so used to over the past few months. The green-and-white Victorian drapes in the Grande Café, the delicious brunches of fluffy pancakes and cinnamon-roll French toast, the energy from the groups gathered around gambling tables as they tried to hit it big and the stream of people walking through the colorful halls, ready for their next adventure.
When Savannah envisioned next year, she saw herself here, in the condo she’d moved into that Fourth of July all those months ago. She wanted to continue her Sundays with Adrian, to keep getting to know Rebecca during their spa days, to grab hot chocolate at the café with Courtney no matter what the hour, to work out with Madison in the gym, to walk over to Damien’s any time she wanted. Living in Las Vegas had taken some getting used to, but right now, she was the happiest she’d ever been in her life.
She was happy that Mom and Grandma were moving close by, and she would visit them as often as she’d promised.
But the Diamond was her home.
chapter 30:
The Five Diamond Steakhouse was packed for the rehearsal dinner—which included celebrities, European royalty, business partners from China and well-known hotel moguls and their families. Mom and Grandma were there, too. Courtney had feared the worst, knowing that Mom hadn’t seen Adrian since moving away from Vegas all those years ago, but beyond a casual greeting and congratulations, Mom stayed by Grandma’s side all night.
Among the business partners there was the familiar face of Logan Prescott, Oliver’s dad. He and Adrian had officially worked out their differences and were going ahead with their original plans for the new hotel in Macau. And Oliver’s mom, Ellen Prescott, had been beaming at Oliver and Madison all night, as if she couldn’t be happier that they were there together.
“It’s complete crap that Ellen Prescott is happy that Oliver and I are together,” Madison said quietly to Courtney over dessert.
“Really?” Courtney tilted her head in confusion. “Why do you say that?”
“You know how much she wanted Oliver to date you or your sisters—you saw it when she tried setting you up with him last summer, as if it were a Jane Austen novel.” Madison huffed. “But now that Adrian has claimed me as one of his daughters, Ellen couldn’t be happier that Oliver and I are together. She thinks it’ll be good for Logan and Adrian’s business partnership.”
“Maybe,” Courtney said, although she suspected Madison was right. “Or maybe she’s just glad that you’re both happy?”
“You talking about my mom again?” Oliver asked from his seat next to Madison. He smiled when he looked at her, his eyes shining with something that Courtney hadn’t expected from the guy who until now, she’d thought was a huge jerk—adoration and love.
“Yep.” Madison stabbed her salad with her fork. “She only likes us being together because I’m now one of Adrian’s daughters.”
He placed his silverware down and held Madison’s gaze. “None of that matters,” he said. “Because I would be with you no matter whose daughter you are, and I don’t care who approves of us or not.”
Madison grabbed his hand, and whispered something in his ear that made him smile. Watching them made Courtney’s heart flip. They were so happy, and they could show everyone how perfect they were together without worrying about their parents trying to rip them apart. Courtney wanted that for herself.
Her gaze met Brett’s over the table, his forest-green eyes filled with so much emotion that she could barely remember to breathe. She couldn’t keep their relationship secret any longer. They loved each other, and she shouldn’t have to feel guilty about that. Which was why, when dinner ended and only the immediate family remained, Courtney pulled Brett aside to talk to him.
“Hey.” He eyed the hand that she’d rested on his forearm, as if worried someone might see. “What’s going on? You’ve been off in your own little world all night.”
“I don’t want to keep us secret anymore,” Courtney said, the words coming out in a rush. “I want to tell Adrian and Rebecca the truth.”
“I don’t want to keep us secret, either.” Brett smiled, and Courtney wanted to kiss him right then and there. “I never wanted to keep us secret, but I didn’t want to push you to tell them before you were ready.”
“I’m ready now,” Courtney said, holding her gaze with Brett’s.
“Right now?” He ran a hand through his hair. “But they’re getting married tomorrow.”
“Yes,” she said. “Tomorrow will be a fresh start for all of us, and I don’t want that to begin with a lie. If I stand up there as a bridesmaid, and I still haven’t told them, I’ll feel like I’m going behind their backs. Haven’t there been enough lies and secrets in the past few months? Don’t they deserve to know the truth?”
“They do, but I’m not sure if now is when I would have chosen to tell them...” His eyes darted over to where Adrian and Rebecca were standing, and apparently they took that as a cue to join them, because that’s exactly what they did.
“Is everything all right over here?” Rebecca glanced back and forth between Courtney and Brett. “You both seem worried about something.”
Courtney swallowed, her voice stuck in her throat. She wouldn’t tell them now if Brett didn’t want to. But Adrian and Rebecca were watching them expectantly, and Courtney played with her necklace, unsure what to say.
“We actually have something we want to tell you.” Brett took Courtney’s hand and nodded at her. She froze, her heart racing, her mouth going dry. It had been a lot easier to think about telling them when they weren’t standing right in front of her.
“All right...” Adrian raised an eyebrow, waiting for them to continue.
Courtney wished she’d had time to plan this out. Now Peyton and Savannah had moved closer, listening in, both of them nodding and watching her expectantly. Brett squeezed her hand, letting her know he was there. This was it.
She swallowed down her anxiety, and forced herself to speak. “I know that last summer, Brett and I promised that we wouldn’t date, since we’re going to be stepsiblings,” she said, unable to look Adrian or Rebecca in the eyes. “But we spent a lot of time together in the fall semester, and in December—on the night of Savannah’s birthday party—we started dating in secret. We’ve been together since. I hated going behind your backs, but we love each other, and we don’t want to hide it anymore. I know that the timing right now isn’t the best, but it didn’t feel right for the wedding to happen tomorrow without both of you knowing the truth.”
Her heart stilled, the blood draining out of her face as she braced herself for Adrian’s and Rebecca’s reactions. They were going to be so disappointed in her. They would repeat why her and Brett dating was a terrible idea, and it would be hard, but there was a small amount of comfort in knowing that she’d told them the truth.
Instead, to her surprise, Rebecca smiled, and Adrian let out a short laugh.
Courtney blinked, making sure this was actually happening. “You’re not mad?” she asked.
“No, we’re not mad,” Adrian said. “I’m actually glad you finally said something. It took you long enough.”
“You knew?” Brett sounded as astonished as Courtney felt.
“Yes, we’ve known for a while,” Rebecca said. “We realized when we saw the two of you together in Italy in December.”
Courtney’s mouth dropped open. “You saw us together?” she asked. “And you didn’t say anything? What did you see?”
“Nothing like that,” Rebecca assured them. “We just couldn’t help but notice all the time you spent together, and the way you look at each other.”
“And you’re
okay with it?” Brett asked. “Just like that?”
“We did mean what we said last summer, about how dating a future stepsibling isn’t something that either of us advised,” Adrian said. “But we both know what it’s like to love someone you can’t, or shouldn’t, be with.” He shared a smile with Rebecca and continued, “Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, those feelings can’t be controlled. And while the circumstances aren’t ideal, after seeing how happy the two of you make each other, we fully support you being together.”
“And we’re happy that you told us, instead of us having to sit you down and drag it out of you,” Rebecca said.
“So you mean that during all these weeks, we didn’t need to be being so secretive about our relationship?” Courtney asked. “We could have just told you the truth?”
“Yes,” Adrian said. “Although, since we did specifically ask for something like this not to happen, we don’t blame your hesitation in being honest with us. It took us seeing you together to realize we were wrong. And we’re sorry about that.”
“Thanks.” Courtney could barely get the word out, she was so shocked that this was all happening.
“So I guess you figured out that Courtney and I are going to be each other’s dates tomorrow?” Brett asked, pulling her closer.
Courtney leaned into him, warmth traveling through her chest at how amazing it felt to not have to hide her love for him anymore. They no longer had to worry that they were doing something wrong—to feel like they were doing something wrong. The realization made her feel lighter than she had in months.
“We had that figured out a while ago.” Rebecca smiled.
“I can’t believe it,” Courtney repeated.
“I can,” Savannah chimed in. “You should see the way you both look at each other. Someone would have to be blind not to notice.”
Courtney’s cheeks heated, and she held Brett’s hand tighter.
“Well, as happy as we are for both of you, we should all head back to our condos and try to get some sleep,” Rebecca said. “Remember, we do have a wedding tomorrow.”
chapter 31:
Peyton was usually stubborn about dressing in her own style—iron-straight hair, dark smoky eyes and black clothing—but this was Rebecca’s big day, and since she was a bridesmaid, her hair and makeup was being done in the same style as her sisters. Her nails, which she’d been painting black for the past two years, were now smothered in a French gel manicure. She’d even agreed to have the blue streaks in her hair removed for the weekend, although she planned on redoing them as soon as possible.
After hours sitting in the spa, her hair being attacked by hair extensions and curling irons, her face bombarded with airbrush machines, makeup brushes and itchy eyelash extensions, Peyton’s stylist turned her chair around. At the sight of her reflection, Peyton took a sharp breath inward. She couldn’t believe that was her.
Her hair fell in soft curls, secured by a braid around the crown of her head. Her makeup was all gold and pink, her skin smoother and more radiant than ever. She looked like a summer fairy princess about to step into a magazine cover shoot.
“Wow, Peyton,” Savannah said from the chair next to hers. “This could be a new look for you—you look like a high-fashion model. Tyra Banks would be freaking out over your perfect bone structure.”
Peyton studied her face in the mirror. “It looks good for the wedding, but it’s not me. I’m not giving up my own style.”
“Figured.” Savannah shrugged. “I just wanted to let you know how pretty you look.”
“Thanks.” Peyton smiled at her youngest sister, whose hair and makeup was done in the exact same way, the curls and light makeup making her look like a fresh young pixie. “You look gorgeous, too.”
Rebecca’s complicated updo was taking longer than the bridesmaids’ simpler style, so it was soon time to part ways, although Rebecca’s mom would be by her side for the entire day.
“You’re going to look absolutely beautiful,” Savannah said to Rebecca. “I still can’t believe that Yumi Katsura custom-designed your gown for you...and that it’s going to be in Vogue!”
“Thank you.” Rebecca smiled, her cheeks flushed. “You girls look beautiful, too.”
Savannah’s stylist placed her hand on her shoulder to get her attention. “Come with me,” she said, leading all the bridesmaids into their connected suite. They were helped into the gold silk dresses made by... Peyton glanced at the label one more time. J. Mendel. Another designer Savannah had fawned over while they were getting fitted.
“I know you weren’t happy about the color, but the dresses do look pretty,” Courtney said to Peyton after they were dressed.
“At least it’s not pale pink or purple.” Peyton adjusted the beaded strapless bodice, and let her stylist slip a dainty diamond bangle on her wrist. “By the way, I still can’t believe you told Adrian and Rebecca about you and Brett.”
“I know,” Savannah chimed in. “I can’t stop thinking about it. But you look so much happier now that you don’t have to keep it from them.”
“I feel happier, too.” Courtney beamed. “Like we all have a fresh start.”
The three of them chatted easily, like they always did. The only one of them not in the conversation was Madison. She’d been quiet all morning, and now she was having a hushed conversation with her stylist.
It was strange that this girl, whom Peyton barely knew, was her sister. But Madison had ended up being nicer than she’d seemed last summer. She might actually be fun.
Peyton never thought that this would happen, but she wanted to get to know her better.
She took out her phone and snapped a selfie. “We should take some sister photos before the craziness begins,” she said.
“Do you want me to take them for you?” Madison asked.
“No,” Peyton said. “You should be in them.”
Madison tilted her head, as if she couldn’t believe Peyton had asked. She clasped her hands in her lap and glanced at Courtney and Savannah, who watched her expectantly. “Really?” she asked. “Are you sure?”
“Of course,” Peyton said.
“Thanks,” she said, standing up to join them. “I would like that.”
For the next few minutes, the four of them posed around the dressing room as the stylists snapped pictures of them with their iPhones. They laughed, made silly faces, joked around and wrapped their arms around each other—like sisters.
They were perfecting their most ridiculous duck faces when someone knocked on the door. Savannah giggled, and they broke their poses.
“Come in,” Peyton called out to whoever was out there.
She expected it would be Rebecca, but it was Adrian who stepped inside the bridesmaids’ suite, as sleek as ever in his tuxedo. His blond hair was styled back perfectly, his eyes shone and his face was glowing. This was the happiest and most laid-back that Peyton had ever seen him.
“I’m glad that the four of you are ready early,” he said, holding up a shopping bag he’d carried inside. “Because I have something I want to give you.”
Peyton eyed the bag, curious about what it held.
“I know that Rebecca carefully picked out every detail of your outfits today.” He sat down on the couch, and they all sat down around him, making sure not to wrinkle their silk dresses. “But I asked her if it was all right to give you these to wear. She agreed the present was perfect, and that they would look beautiful with your dresses.”
“What are they?” Savannah asked, leaning forward as if she would get a peek.
He pulled four small velvet boxes out of the bag, and handed one to each of them.
Peyton opened hers and gasped. Inside were gorgeous diamond earrings—studs that sparkled everywhere the light hit. They were elegant, but simple enough that they wouldn’t clash
with Peyton’s style. She’d never owned anything so beautiful.
“I thought that the four Diamond sisters should have matching diamond earrings,” Adrian explained.
“I love them,” Savannah said, taking them out of the box and fastening them in her ears. She walked over to the mirror and looked at them from the side, admiring how they sparkled. “Thank you so much.”
“They’re perfect,” Courtney agreed. “Thank you. And thank you again for being so understanding about what Brett and I told you last night.”
“I’m just glad you don’t feel like you have to keep secrets anymore,” he said. “As Rebecca said, we’re both happy that you and Brett were honest with us.”
“Rebecca’s a great person,” Courtney said. “I can’t wait to see you marry her.” She tried to put her earrings in, but struggled without being able to see what she was doing, so she got up and joined Savannah at the mirror.
“You didn’t have to buy these for me.” Madison blinked, her eyes glassy, as if she were about to cry. “But thank you for including me with the rest of the family.”
“Of course,” he said. “You’re part of this family. All of you are.” Adrian smiled at her, and turned his attention back to all of them. “I’m sorry that I wasn’t a part of your lives until recently. I thought keeping my distance from you was for the best, but I was wrong. Seeing you through this year showed me how much I’ve missed. So while today is about my love for Rebecca, it means more than that to me. It’s about all of us becoming a family.”
Peyton swallowed back tears, willing herself not to cry. Adrian would never be able to make up for the time he’d lost with them, but the earrings held a promise—a bright, sparkling promise of new memories to come.
She realized she was still holding the box, and that she was the only one who hadn’t put on her earrings. But while she knew her thoughts shouldn’t be on herself today, she still felt like an outsider. Because with Courtney and Brett’s relationship finally being accepted by Adrian and Rebecca, Madison and Oliver unable to keep their hands off each other, Savannah and Damien looking so happy together and the big wedding happening today with Adrian and Rebecca...Peyton felt a little left out. Maybe she was never meant to find love.
Diamonds are Forever Page 30