Sloane Sisters (14 page)

A
ndie stood next to Cate, Lola, and Stella, gripping the stem of her rose bouquet tightly. Emma and Winston were holding hands under the flowered archway, reciting the last of their wedding vows. Andie had been so excited when her dad and Emma stepped into the garden, slowly taking in the band on the terrace, the round tables covered in crisp pale green linens, the vases overflowing with orchids. Emma had started crying when she spotted her brother Simon, and Winston had declared it was better than the wedding Gloria had planned at the boathouse. Emma had even changed into her Vera Wang wedding dress for the ceremony, and Winston wore his tux.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” Judge Haines said, clasping his hands together. “You may kiss the bride.”

Winston grinned mischievously. He dipped Emma and gave her a dramatic kiss on the lips. Emma let out a laugh and smacked him playfully on his jacket lapel. The guests, who had gathered around the archway, clapped. Greta turned the dial on
her disposable camera with great effort, while Tatiana Petrov, the supermodel, pressed blotting paper to her dewy face.

Andie heard a sniffling sound and turned to Cate, who was dabbing at her eyes with the tip of her finger. “Are you crying?” Andie whispered. She smiled, satisfied. Any ceremony that could make Cate cry was a complete success.

“Definitely not,” Cate whispered back, turning away. Maybe she
was
crying, but she'd rather spend every Friday night playing with Sophie's Barbies than admit that she was moved by her father's wedding—the same wedding that a day ago she'd hoped would never happen. Emma and Winston were facing the crowd of guests, their hands raised as though they were doing a curtain call on Broadway. Cate turned the sapphire ring around on her finger. Emma would never be her mother, but she
really
loved Cate's dad. And for now, that seemed like enough.

The band started playing classical music as the guests dispersed, milling about the garden. A few of Winston's old friends from Yale sat down by the bar, their table exploding in laughter every now and then. Emma's mother was sipping a dirty martini and talking loudly to her son Simon and his wife, a curvy woman in a magenta Valentino dress.

Emma lifted the hem of her mermaid gown and pulled Winston over to the girls. “Luvvies,” she cooed, kissing Lola and Stella on the cheek.

Winston smoothed back Andie's bangs and wrapped Cate in a hug. “Thank you for this.” He stepped back to take in the girls.

Lola threw her long arms around Winston's neck and stumbled
into him. “Cheers, Winston!” she cried. Winston slowly hugged her back, a little surprised.

“Cheers, Lola,” he said, a smile breaking across his face. Next Lola hugged Stella, who couldn't help but laugh. Lola was like an excited puppy, running around and smothering everyone in messy kisses.

“Congratulations,” Stella said, kissing Winston on each cheek. Cate and Andie took turns hugging Emma, as the photographer, a woman in a man's gray suit, knelt down in front of them and snapped a few pictures.

“That is one fabulous-looking family!” she cried. “Now let's have all of you under the archway.” She shooed them backward with one hand.

“Yes!” Lola cried, bouncing up and down on her heels. “Our first family picture!”

Stella glanced at Cate, waiting for her to roll her eyes, but she didn't. Emma and Winston beamed. Together, she and Cate struck their best poses for the camera.

Andie turned to Lola. “Ready…
sis
?” she asked, a smile creeping over her face.

Lola looked around the garden, at the guests picking appetizers off silver trays. The lead singer of the band had started a more lively song, and one of Winston's Yale friends pulled Greta over to swing dance, spinning her around twice.

“Absolutely,” she said, grabbing Andie's arm, and they squeezed in next to their sisters.

A
nd they all lived happily ever after. Or not.

The Sloane Sisters maybe be BFFs right now, but at the stroke of midnight, everything can change. After all, it hard to be sisters…and even harder to be friends.

And let's be honest—a fairy-tale ending? Where's the fun in that?

First, a huge thank you to the good people of Alloy Entertainment: The hilarious Josh Bank, a.k.a. Sheila Beers, who has been known to spontaneously channel many of the characters in this series. Sara Shandler, for her sharp editorial insights and, most importantly, for believing. To the fiercely smart Joelle Hobeika, for her enthusiasm, good humor, and reassurance. And to Lanie Davis, for making the connection that started it all.

I'm indebted to Farrin Jacobs and Zareen Jaffery at HarperCollins for their editorial notes and their enthusiasm for this series. A big hug and thank you to Kate Lee for making my life five thousand times easier.

I'm incredibly fortunate to have such supportive friends, who listened to me and encouraged me every step of this process. Many of them appear in these pages in different incarnations, and this book simply would not have been possible without them. Last but not least, thank you to my brother, Kevin, and my
parents Tom and Elaine, three people who make those words—thank you—seem like a cheap imitation of all the gratitude I feel for them. I love you.