* * *
“WHAT DO YOU mean you’re getting married?” Cady’s heart was lodged in her throat. “Bianca, you can’t be serious.” She knew Bianca. She knew how focused her friend was. Bianca was careful, methodical—she’d set a goal and she wouldn’t let anything get in her way.
Bianca laughed. “I’m totally serious. You met him. Zach?”
Cady remembered him all right. Zach. The good-looking, charming one that was far too proprietary over her best friend. “The controlling, handsome one?”
“Controlling?” Bianca’s eyes went round.
“Controlling.” Cady sat forward. “Why marriage? Can’t you just bang his brains out for a while? Get him out of your system.”
Bianca frowned. “Cady.”
“Don’t Cady me, girl.” Cady sighed. “Why? Are you knocked up?”
“No!” Bianca cried, glaring her disapproval. “I’m marrying him because I love him.” Bianca’s simple answer made Cady wrinkle up her nose.
“Oh, please.” She shifted in her wrought-iron chair, staring blindly down the street to the fair at the end of the block. She and Bianca had come here the past few years, enjoying the wine tasting, touring the historic homes and exploring the booths of handmade treats and crafts. It was their thing—something that would change if Bianca got married. And while Bianca’s idea of marriage had always been warm and fuzzy and complete fiction, Cady knew the truth. Marriage, love and commitment were illusions. What happened after the honeymoon? Compromise to the point of losing one’s self, resentment or disgust replacing affection for your once-dreamy significant other, and—ultimately—betrayal and distrust. Not that Bianca saw it that way.
“His family is throwing us an engagement party Friday,” Bianca added, pulling Cady from her thoughts. “Apparently they know the woman who owns one of the inns on the lake.”
Cady stared at Bianca. “Friday as in two days?”
Bianca nodded. “You have to come.”
Cady frowned. “What does Zach do?”
“He’s a promoter for a luxury resort chain. He just loves it. They have locations all over the world that he gets to visit. And they’re growing.”
“While he’s off traveling the world, you’ll stay here?” Cady asked, frowning.
Bianca shrugged.
“Well, you can’t travel all the time,” Cady pointed out. “What about the shop?”
Bianca’s answer was soft, “We haven’t worked out all the details yet.”
“Details of your everyday life? Don’t you think you should do that before making him fifty percent owner in your shop? Texas is a fifty-fifty state, Bibi.” She took a deep breath. “You love your shop. You’ve fought tooth and nail to buy that space, to open your own business. Since the day we met, you’ve talked about this. Having a shop like the one your grandfather had in Puerto Rico.”
“Cady,” Bianca sighed. “Zach is willing to take a demotion so he doesn’t have to travel.”
“You don’t think he’d come to resent you for that later?” Cady shook her head. “I know you, Bibi. If there’s a compromise to be made, you’re the one who’ll end up making it.”
Bianca shook her head. “We’ll find a way to make it work without sacrificing our personal dreams along the way.” Bianca paused, stirring her iced tea with a long spoon. “The shop wasn’t my only dream, Cady. You know that.”
Cady did know. Bianca was the earth-mother type. Cady fought to convince her that kids, the minivan, the Saturday soccer games, big birthday parties and the adoring husbands would never be as rewarding as a solid career and loyal friendships. Bianca didn’t buy it. Even after having her heart ground to bits, Bianca held on to the hope that she’d find real love and support in the form of her own personal Prince Charming.
“Shack up with the guy,” Cady argued. “Why do you need to marry this Zach?”
Bianca laughed. “My family would love that.”
“They’re okay with you marrying some guy you’ve known for five minutes?”
Bianca frowned at her. “It’s been longer than that.”
Cady shot her a disbelieving look. “Fine, five hours.”
“I love him, Cady. I see a future with him. One I want.” She stared into her iced tea. “It would mean a lot if you could support me.”