What happened?”
“Went a few rounds with my old man.” Trip folded his arms across his chest. “But I should have the funds by the end of the week.”
On his way back out of the office, Grey slapped Trip on the shoulder. “Sorry this has caused you trouble with your family. But our partnership is worth it. You’ll see.”
It had better be, Trip thought, because he might’ve just opened the door to a whole lot of misery by using that money.
Chapter Two
Kelsey walked with Fee the six blocks across town from her condo to her sister’s house. As they approached the yellow clapboard home, she admired her sister’s small garden, manicured lawn, and picket fence—a private outdoor haven compared with the shallow balcony of Kelsey’s second-floor unit.
They passed through the front gate and started up the walkway.
“I see you’ve changed out of your costume.” Maura smiled at Kelsey from the front porch.
Fee scampered up the front steps and flung herself into Maura’s arms. “Mommy!”
Maura hugged her while kissing the top of her head. “Did you have fun with Aunt Kelsey?”
Fee nodded. Maura then looked at Fee’s costume, her eyebrows rising as she noticed the streaks of chocolate and vanilla icing smeared across its skirt. “Looks like you got a treat . . . or two.”
“Three!” Fee exclaimed, apparently forgetting Kelsey’s earlier warning as she thrust three extended fingers in Maura’s face. Maura raised one eyebrow at Kelsey, who shrugged and flashed a guilty smile. “And we met Prince Charming, too, but he says he’s too old to marry me.” Fee flashed a wide-eyed smile. “So I told him to marry Aunt Kelsey.”
“Aren’t you thoughtful?” Maura chuckled before patting Fee’s bum and sending her inside to change. Then she turned toward Kelsey. “Well, your day sounds interesting. Park your butt on the porch swing and give me the scoop.”
While following Maura to the far end of the porch, Kelsey noticed her sister hadn’t quite lost all her baby weight since giving birth to Tyler ten months ago. Of course, even on their best days, neither she nor Maura would ever be considered skinny. They looked like sisters, although Kelsey’s hair was a shade or two lighter, and six inches longer, than Maura’s. At five-foot eight, Kelsey also stood about two inches taller, and her cup size was at least two sizes bigger, too—as Maura often lamented.
“Where’s Ty?” Kelsey asked as she settled onto the swing, which creaked as they began to rock.
“Napping.” Maura held up a baby monitor before setting it back on the windowsill. Her eyes radiated girlish mischief. “Now, who exactly is Prince Charming?”
“Trip Lexington.”
“Oh, no!” Maura giggled. “Were you mortified? Did he catch you in that ridiculous getup you were wearing?”
“Yes, literally. I collided with him on our way out of Sweet Cakes.” Kelsey shrugged. “But I’m not mortified . It’s not like I’m interested in him.”
“Really?” Maura tilted her head, using her sisterly intuition to sniff out Kelsey’s self-deception. “I’ve never met the man. Only seen him in town. But Fee’s right, he does look like Prince Charming.”
A flush of heat prickled throughout Kelsey’s body. “I have eyes, so I can appreciate his ‘most gorgeousness.’ But these eyes also see how he appreciates himself. I like a confident guy, but Trip’s cocky. He’s probably a great one-night stand, but definitely not boyfriend material.”
“Until someone comes along and rocks his world.” Maura wiggled her brows suggestively, prodding Kelsey with an elbow to the ribs. “Someone like a strong, sassy Callihan girl to bring him to his knees.”
That’s how Maura had always referred to them—the Callihan girls—and she said it like a boast, like they knew life secrets no one else had figured out yet.
On the surface, Kelsey and Maura didn’t have much in common. Maura, sixteen months older, had been a tomboy