Rafe grabbed her hand and kept walking, keen to duck the prying eyes of the media.
“We’ll be on Instagram within the hour. I can already see the headlines,” she said and gave a brittle laugh. “One half of ‘Thelana’ paints the town red.”
“That’s such a stupid name for you and Thom,” Rafe said and grimaced. “Nowhere near as cool as Kimye.”
Elana laughed loudly. “Because I’m not as cool,” she said. “And Thom can be such a dork sometimes. But at least this is nothing more scandalous than a shopping trip. Unless,” she said and gave a cheeky grin, “we head to Oscar’s so you can hook up for a quickie in the cool room with he who shall not be mentioned.”
“Don’t push your luck,” Rafe warned playfully. “The last thing this family needs right now is another scandal. Besides, we don’t want to have to call in the Fixer.”
“Ha,” she laughed. “I don’t have the number. I’m not even sure he exists.”
“He?” Rafe’s brows shot up instantly. “Maybe it’s a not a he. Maybe it’s a she.” His eyes sparkled. “Maybe it’s you?”
“Me?” Elana laughed again as a photographer snapped a few shots as they walked up the street and headed around the nearest corner. “Hardly. That job sounds way too organized for me. I can’t even balance my checkbook.”
“Maybe it’s Luc,” Rafe said and shrugged.
He didn’t look convinced, but Elana wasn’t about to admit she’d been thinking the same thing. She tried to make her voice as casual as she could. “I suppose it makes sense... Luc’s Daddy’s favorite. I mean, besides me. And Gabe,” she added and grinned. “And he gets to hear all the good gossip when he’s nipping and tucking all those celebrity housewives. He’d know who needs to be bailed out of trouble.”
“As he constantly informs me, he does more than boobs and Botox.”
“I know what a do-gooder our big brother is. There’ll probably be a HBO special on his work with Doctors Without Borders.”
Rafe’s mouth twisted. “You sound jealous. Worried that Luc might steal the limelight from you?”
“Ha, no chance. I’m the bride-to-be at the wedding of the year, remember?”
“I remember. But he might beat you to the altar with Blondie.”
Elana screwed up her face. “I really don’t like her. She’s got cold eyes...like a fish.”
“Or a shark?”
“Yeah,” Elana said and laughed again. “And she’s been circling our brother like he’s a tasty meal.”
“She moved into his apartment...he must like her a little.”
“He’s a boob man,” Elana said crassly. “He likes her assets. I just hope he knows what he’s doing. Imagine having to spoon that icicle every night. She must be good in bed, that’s all I can guess.”
Rafe chuckled. “Say what you really think. Incidentally, if you think Luc is the Fixer, why didn’t you call him out on it when you had a chance?”
“I didn’t say he was,” she said, suddenly more serious. “You did.”
Rafe shook his head. “I don’t know anything anymore.”
“So, speaking of a special someone,” Elana said as they crossed the street and headed for a small café.
“Is that what we were doing?”
“Sure,” she said and chuckled. “I said you were special. You said I was...blah, blah. When are you going to get back in circulation?”
They were seated and had ordered coffee before Rafe replied. “I’m in circulation,” he assured. “Well and truly.”
She made a face. “I don’t believe you. And I can’t believe someone hasn’t snapped you up. I could set you up with someone.”
“No, thanks.”
“How about him?” she asked and discreetly pointed to a good-looking, well-dressed young man who strode past and glanced their way.
“For me?” he inquired. “Or you?”
Elana waved her left hand, and the huge engagement ring sparkled. “Just because I’m getting married doesn’t mean I’ve lost my eyesight.”
He laughed. “I guess not. So...how does Jarrod feel about the wedding?”
She shrugged, looking faintly embarrassed for a second, but quickly composed herself. “He doesn’t care.”
Rafe didn’t believe her. “You sure about that?”
“Positive,” she replied and drank some coffee. “He’s married...so why shouldn’t I be?”
His sister’s logic was illogical. “And Thom? Does he know you clearly have no intention of being faithful?”
Her brows came together. “What makes you think I won’t be?”
“I know you, Elana. Are you hoping that Jarrod will leave his wife? It that why you’re marrying Thom? To force Hollywood’s hand?”
She shook her head. “I don’t believe in fairy tales.”
“He might leave her,” Rafe said quietly. “With the right kind of ultimatum.”
“I don’t want to,” she said, her voice firmer. “I love Thom. I’m going to marry him.”
It sounded like a lie. But he loved Elana too much to admonish her.
“I know.”
“Then why do you sound as though you don’t approve?” she asked.
“Of Thom?” Rafe’s brows shot up. “Didn’t I agree earlier that I’m his number-one fan?”
“Now you’re making fun of me,” she said, eyes suddenly downcast. “I thought that was Luc’s job, not yours.”
“Touchy subject.”
“Not at all,” she defended. “Jarrod and I have one kind of relationship. And with Thom, I have another. Maybe it feels as though we’re friends more than lovers...none of that makes any difference. I’m marrying Thom because it’s the right thing to do. It’s time I settled down and acted like a grown-up. And it’s what Dad wants. I’m doing it for him.”
An odd pain pinched in Rafe’s chest. Of course, Elana was doing it to please their father. That was a no-brainer. And deep down, he agreed with her decision. He and Thom were a daydream. A fantasy, conjured up from some old infatuation.
But it hurt.
Badly.
* * *
Gabe
