Page 102 of Second Time Around

Twenty-Nine

Armed with trays of food, Jenna and Beck were the first to arrive at Stacy and Nick’s engagement party.

“Where should I put this?” Jenna asked her sister.

“Right there.” Stacy pointed to a buffet table that she’d set up along one wall of the kitchen.

As usual, her sister was extremely organized, and her house looked immaculate. Jenna knew her better than anyone, though, and she’d seen Stacy’s hand shake when she’d pointed.

“I’ll go help Beck bring in the rest,” Nick offered.

After he went out, Jenna turned to Stacy and grabbed her hands. “You’re nervous.”

“What gave you that idea?”

“Your hands are shaky and clammy.”

“Thanks, sis.”

“What are you nervous about?”

Stacy sighed. “You know how I get around big groups of people.”

“These aren’t just any people. They’re your people.”

“They’re your people too.”

At their mother’s urging, Beck’s parents and sister had been invited too. The party had morphed from an intimate gathering into a large soiree, which wasn’t Stacy’s preferred style.

“It’ll be fine. The house looks great, you look great, and the food will be great.”

“I don’t doubt that.” Stacy glanced at the tray of sandwiches that Jenna had brought in. “Did you two stay up all night working on this?”

Jenna scrunched up her face. “Not exactly.”

“What’s that face? What’d you do?”

Beck and Nick came into the kitchen, bearing more food and interrupting their conversation.

“Where do you want these?” Beck asked.

“Right next to the sandwiches,” Stacy said. “Is there still more? What if I run out of room?”

Nick came up beside her and rubbed her back. “It’s okay, honey. Everything’s going to be great.”

Stacy rolled her eyes. “That’s the same thing Jenna said.”

“She’s right,” Beck said. “We’re all here to help. What could go wrong?”

Jenna shook her head. “Don’t get her started!”

The men laughed and then went outside again.

“Okay. So what happened last night?” Stacy asked.

Since her sister probably needed a distraction, Jenna quickly gave her a rundown of the previous evening’s events, minus the striptease in Beck’s living room.

She expected Stacy to lecture her about trusting Beck, but instead, her sister wrapped her arms around her and gave her a tight hug. “I can only imagine how difficult that must have been, and I’m proud of you.”