London Falling by Audrey Carlan Read Free Book Online Page A

reminded me of why we were having lunch today. “Speaking of marriage…you’re getting married?”
    My sister flung out her left hand and bright as the sun stood a huge diamond ring.
    I gripped her hand to inspect it and my body started to tingle. An all-encompassing tickling sensation ran up and down my spine. It was as powerful as full-body laughter, or one of the most earth-shattering orgasms. You couldn’t help but be swept away by it.
    Instantly I felt sheer joy pump off her like sound waves encasing me, lulling me into a happy stupor. She was throwing off some intense vibes. My empathic ability struggled to accept it all. Even when she admitted to being in love with Hank, it was never this concentrated. Something had changed. It was as if she was a giant force and anything that touched her couldn’t help but be affected.
    “Aspen, what’s going on?”
    “I’m getting married in five weeks!” she squealed like a five year old little girl, something I’d never seen her do. My sister was always in complete control.
    “It’s more than that. Why are you in such a rush? Just a couple months ago you two were on the outs. Now you’re rushing into marriage?”
    Tripp’s head volleyed from side to side, watching us. “Hank is the one pushing it. Not me.” That was an odd admission, even for my sister, who tended to be brutally honest.
    I rolled my eyes. She was being vague and it annoyed the hell out of me. I watched her sip her tea almost nervously and stop making eye contact. She was hiding something. I knew my sister as well as I knew the backside of my hand.
    “Out with it.” I crossed my arms, tilted my head and stared her down. I was prepared to wait all day if I had to.
    She looked at me, then at Tripp and bit her lip. “Okay fine.” She took a deep breath and then blew me away with her next words. “I’m pregnant.”
    Tripp and I looked at one another, grabbed our glasses, clinked them together, then swallowed our entire martini down in one go. It was how we dealt with crazy information. Knock one back when you don’t know how else to deal with what life has served you.
    “Now that…I didn’t expect.” I shook my head and smiled.
    She watched us closely to gauge our reactions.
    “Looks like we need more drinks, Bridge. You’re going to be an Auntie!” Tripp laughed.
    “I can’t wait,” I said. Aspen clasped her hands together and took a deep breath, obviously worried what my reaction would be. “Just one favor, Pen. Just one is all I ask.”
    She looked puzzled. “Anything.”
    “Please let me be there when you tell Mom.”
    She threw her napkin at me and we all howled with laughter. Our mother was a stuck up mega beast who hated that Aspen and Hank were together. I could only imagine what she’d say when she found out they’re getting married in five weeks. Add a baby to the mix? That’s a whole new angle and this information would send Mother into a manic depressive state. I wanted front row seats to that show.
    “You’re terrible, Bridge!” Tripp grinned wickedly.
    “No, our mother’s terrible. Watching her face twist and contort when she hears her daughter is marrying a blue-collar man and pregnant with his baby…before the wedding! Oh seriously, Pen. I need to be there. I’ll do anything!”
    “Two things?” she tilted her head and grinned. “Be my maid of honor and decorate the baby’s nursery in the Penthouse, maybe even at the ranch, too?”
    I jumped up and instead of sitting in Pen’s lap like I always did--fear of crushing the baby prevented my usual antics--I hauled her into a great big hug in the middle of the restaurant. She squeezed me and once again I felt extreme happiness surrounding her. It sunk into every one of my pores, filling my dark with light.
    “Can I pick my own dress?” She laughed but I was dead serious. There was no way in hell I’d be wearing some ridiculous bridesmaid dress. We needed appointments with Vera Wang ASAP. It was a good