Arrival
The car had barely rolled to a stop, and Nathan was already unbuckling.
“Home sweet home.”
Sienna glanced out the window and repressed the grimace that she felt. The house was massive, white, and symmetrical, like someone had designed it specifically to intimidate women named Sienna Carter.
“You ready?” he asked.
“Of course,” she said, smoothing the crease in her skirt.
Nathan was halfway up the steps before the valet even opened her door.
She followed behind him and as soon as she entered, she saw that the front hall was utter chaos. Someone somewhere was barking into a headset, someone else was rolling in a ton of boxes labeled MENU CARDS - DO NOT CRUSH and white roses were literally everywhere.
Vivian Hayes emerged from amongst the noise like a politician.
“Ah, Sienna,” she said, gliding in for an air-kiss. “You look thin.”
“Hi, Vivian.” Sienna said, forcing a smile as if she truly meant it.
“You'll be in the west wing,” Vivian said, already turning to bark at one of the events coordinators. “Separate rooms until the wedding. You know the drill.”
“Yeah yeah, tradition,” Nathan echoed, already pulling out his phone. “I’ll sneak over later when you aren't looking, Ma.”
Vivian shot him a warning glance.
“Don’t make me drug you both.”
“Hmm, that does sound tempting,” Nathan muttered.
He kissed Sienna’s cheek lightly. “Go get settled. I’ll find you later, okay?”
She nodded. He was already walking away.
The staff who had led her upstairs didn’t speak a single word and Sienna trailed behind, counting the marble steps like they might keep her sane.
At the suite, the girl dropped her bag and turned to go.
“Anything else, Miss?”
“No. I’m good.”
The door clicked shut behind her.
Sienna exhaled and looked around. Clean white linens, flowers on the nightstand and a welcome packet titled The Wedding of Nathan Hayes & Sienna Carter in gold script.
She dropped it face-down on the dresser.
The bed was too perfect to sit on, so she wandered to the window instead. The lawn below was dotted with people: a few groomsmen arriving, staff adjusting umbrellas, someone unboxing centerpieces on the patio.
She rested her hand on the glass, absently watching the flow of it all as a black town car pulled up.
This wasn't a family car, nor was it a wedding rental. This was something different.
She leaned forward to get a better look as the driver got out, walked around, and opened the back door.
The man who stepped out wasn’t wearing a suit. Just a black shirt with the sleeves pushed to the elbows. He had a duffel bag slung over one shoulder and sunglasses hooked in his collar.
No one greeted him like they had Sienna and Nathan.
He looked up at the house like it bored him, and then he looked straight at her window.
Sienna stepped back, her heart skipping a beat instantly.
He didn’t wave. Didn’t nod. Just stood there.
But she knew that face far too well. She knew the way he carried his silence. That slight tilt of the head, the way he never fidgeted like normal people did.
It was Luca.
Of course it was Luca.
She stood there, unmoving and he held her gaze a second longer, then turned and walked toward the side entrance.
Her phone buzzed.
Nathan: Everything okay?
Sienna swallowed, still staring at the now-empty driveway.
Sienna: Yeah. Why?
Nathan: Just checking. Heard something weird,Luca showed up. Don’t worry, he won’t stay long.
She didn’t reply.
There was a knock at the door and Sienna flinched and turned. Her hand hovered over the handle, heart racing, but when she opened it, it was Chloe, her best friend and the only bridesmaid with a functioning brain.
Chloe stepped in, already rolling her eyes.
“Jesus Christ...Vivian has a whiteboard schedule and a whistle. I swear to God.”
Sienna tried to laugh but it came out too thin.
Chloe looked at her with a frown.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I'm just tired.”
Chloe flopped onto the bed, taking great delight in messing the neatness of the bed up as she wrinkled her nose.
“This place gives me cult energy. If anyone starts chanting, I’m stealing a golf cart and driving into town.”
Sienna smiled, then crossed the room and sat beside her.
“Thanks for coming.”
“Don’t get sappy. I’m only here for the wine and the gossip.”
“There won’t be any gossip, so you're out of luck there.”
Chloe raised an eyebrow.
“Honey. It’s a weeklong wedding and your future mother-in-law is planning it like she’s covering up a murder. There’ll be gossip. I guarantee it.”
Sienna didn’t answer, she just sighed.
Chloe nudged her. “Come on. What’s wrong?”
Sienna hesitated. Her fingers twisted in the hem of her dress.
“Nathan’s brother is here.”
Chloe blinked in shock.
“The one? That brother?!”
She nodded.
“Oh my lord, Sienna! You didn’t tell me he was coming.”
“I didn’t know he was!” she protested weakly.
“Are you freaking out?”
“No,” Sienna lied.
Chloe studied her face, then lay back on the bed.
“All right. But if this turns into a weird love triangle, I’m switching sides halfway through. Just saying.”
Sienna smiled again, but it didn’t reach her eyes.
Later, when Chloe left, Sienna closed the door quietly and leaned back against it.
She still hadn’t unpacked and outside her window, the world was spinning forward toward the wedding.
But inside her chest, everything had just slammed into reverse.
