An Unexpected Attraction (Love Unexpected Book 3) by Delaney Diamond Page B

married without you. It wouldn’t be the same if you weren’t there, Bren.”
    Her throat constricted and her eyes became misty. Samantha sure knew how to get to her. “Damn straight.”
    “Do you think your sister would come to the wedding?” Samantha asked tentatively.
    The relationship between her mother and sister had always been strained. Her sister didn’t speak much to their mother. Like Brenda, she was often embarrassed by Samantha’s behavior, but unlike Brenda, she didn’t keep in touch. She’d gone to school all the way out in California and had as little to do with Samantha as possible.
    “I don’t know. We can ask.”
    “I would love to have both my girls there.”
    “I’ll work on her, okay?” Brenda was always the peacemaker between them. “Now let me get back to work. I’ll talk to you soon. Love you.”
    “Mwah. Love you, too.”
    Brenda hung up the phone slowly and stared at it for a few moments.
    If Basil made her mother happy, did it matter that he had one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel? Did it matter they barely knew each other? If they made each other happy, who was Brenda to judge or stand in their way?

Chapter Ten
    She could get through the night. At least that’s what Brenda told herself.
    Freshly showered and clad in a terry cloth robe, she rummaged through the drawers of her dresser to find the right outfit. She hadn’t seen Jay since after the wine bar. Nick was back in town and insisted they all get together before he flew home to Chicago. Fortunately, Sophie was also in town, and she would join them at the restaurant and promised not to bail at the last minute.
    Brenda decided on an off-white long-sleeved blouse with an elastic waistband, cuffs, and neckline. The gauzy material made for a relaxed fit over snug-fitting jeans. She added a couple of bracelets and small earrings, and completed the look with a bejeweled forehead band.
    Nick chose the Red Lion Restaurant and Bar, a newly open upscale establishment that boasted a lounge with low tables and white leather sofas. Located on the second floor of a building on Peachtree Street, they offered a menu of contemporary American cuisine and California wines. She and Sophie ran into each other in the parking lot and searched for Jay and Nick inside.
    “There they are,” Sophie said, pointing.
    Jay and Nick sat at the bar, but Brenda’s eyes gravitated to Jay. He sat hunched over the bar, cradling a beverage and nodding at a comment Nick made.
    “Damn, they look good, don’t they?” Sophie said. “Especially Jay. We’re lucky women tonight.”
    Brenda tossed her friend an annoyed glance. “You’re in a relationship,” she reminded Sophie.
    Sophie arched a brow. “Doesn’t mean I’m dead. I can look.”
    “You’re only saying that because you’re mad at Keith. Again.”
    Sophie shrugged, and they walked up to the men.
    “Hello, fellas!” Sophie said with exuberance. She flung her arms around Jay first and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
    Brenda glared at her friend. Her behavior was part of the bizarre relationship she had with Keith, which included outrageous flirting whenever they had an argument or took one of their “breaks.” Right now, she was looking at Jay like he was the last piece of shrimp at a shrimp fest.
    Nick grinned. “The ladies are finally here.” He pulled Brenda into a hug and squeezed.
    “Glad you made it back safely,” she murmured.
    When she withdrew from him, Jay’s gaze flicked over her. “How are you, Brenda?”
    No hug for her.
    “Great, and you?” The other two were too busy hugging and joking to notice the tension between them.
    “I’ve been better,” he said.
    His face did look a little drawn, as if he hadn’t been sleeping well.
    “Let’s go, let’s go.” Nick herded them toward the hostess stand with outstretched arms. “I’m ready to eat and find out what’s been going on with all of you.”
    Jay pulled up the rear and bristled when he saw Nick