I'm In Love With Your Sister (Book 1) (Second Draft)

The soft twittering song of the birds announced a new dawn. Sunlight spilled across the courtyard, gilding the fresh-cut lawn. A white carpet unfurled down the aisle, flanked by rows of garden chairs waiting like silent witnesses. At its end, the altar gleamed—a tiled dais crowned with a glass pulpit, draped in roses and greenery. Behind it, veils of white cloth shimmered, each knot fastened with blossoms, as if the day itself were dressed in devotion.

Wedding decorators moved briskly around, scattering white flower petals, adjusting flower stands with white flowers, and decorating the chairs with white cloths and ribbons.

On the patio of the mansion, Mrs. McDonnel stood tall in her blue gown, her hair pinned neatly with pearls. She watched the preparations with a fluttering heart—everything had to be perfect for her precious son.

Two wedding decorators bypassed her, heading to the courtyard. Before she could call out to one of them, something bumped her leg from behind. She put her hands on her hips as she turned around.

“Isn’t there anything better for you to do than trouble me?” Mrs. McDonnell asked.

“No. I came here to sit and have breakfast on the patio,” said Amanda—Mrs. McDonnell’s mother-in-law—who sat in a wheelchair, dressed in a pink gown and bonnet askew.

“You have been nothing but a pain since I joined this family.”

“Well, you’re the one who married my son,” Amanda smirked.

“I’m not in the mood for your jokes, okay? Please go to your room. I’ll have someone bring up breakfast.”

“Why are you trying to get rid of me? I want to stay here too.”

“I’m working here. I can handle the wedding preparations by myself.”

“May I remind you, Bertha, I organized your wedding and my daughter’s.”

“Mine was horrible,” said Mrs. McDonnell under her breath.

“I heard that,” said Amanda.

“Aunt? Grandma? Are you two arguing again?” came a deep voice from inside the house.

A tall young man stepped into view, brown hair sleekly combed, green eyes flashing like emeralds. His shirt clung to a frame that spoke of strength, impossible to disguise.

“Your aunt can’t stop harassing me, Eric,” Amanda pouted. “She has no pity on an old woman like me.”

“She is acting like a child,” said Mrs. McDonnell.

“Come on, Grandma. Let’s go have breakfast together inside,” said Eric, steering Amanda’s wheelchair.

“Yes, please,” said Amanda. “Arguing makes me hungry.”

Amanda stuck out her tongue as Eric wheeled her inside. Mrs. McDonnell looked back across the courtyard and called to one of the decorators to place a ribbon properly on one of the chairs.

Savory and sweet smells filled the kitchen as trays of food filled the kitchen island and counters. Amanda’s and Eric’s eyes savored the sight as they walked past. The kitchen was buzzing with servers walking about.

“You shouldn’t be arguing with Aunt so much,” said Eric as they stepped out of the kitchen.

Amanda huffed in silence, drawing out a smile on Eric’s face.

“Is Leo awake?” Amanda asked.

“He must be getting dressed.”

“Tell him to come have breakfast with us.” They entered the hall, heading to the living room.

“I hope you aren’t going to convince him to ditch Kim at the altar.”

Amanda grinned. “I’m not. There’s no point in convincing him when he’s as stubborn as his mother.”

Eric stopped in front of the doorway to the living room. “I’m glad you plan not to whack him on the head. I’ll go and get him for you.”

Eric made his way up the stairs as Amanda placed a hand on her chest.

Oh, Lord, if this wedding is to take place, let Your will be done, she prayed.

***

Leo paced the room, breath shallow and his hands trembling. Am I about to make the biggest mistake of my life? Are my emotions getting the better of me?

A knock startled him. He opened the door to find his cousin, Eric—his best friend and best man.

“Good, you’re alive. Grandma wants to have breakfast with us,” said Eric.

“I don’t feel like eating,” said Leo, his voice deep and heavy.

Eric raised an eyebrow. “What’s up with you? You don’t look so good.”

Leo sighed. “Come in. I don’t want anyone listening in.”

Eric did likewise, and Leo closed the door. Eric stood in the middle of the room.

“Are you nervous?” Eric inquired. “It’s normal to get cold feet.”

“It’s far worse.”

Eric’s jaw tightened. “Please, don’t tell me...”

Leo pursed his lips together. With his eyes downcast, he nodded.

“Damn it, Leo!” Eric’s hands flew to his head. “Are you fucking serious right now? We’ve gone through this a hundred times. You’re marrying Kim in a few hours. Now you change your mind?”

“I don’t know what happened.” Leo shook his head.

Eric laughed sharply. “Grandma will love this. We need to change your mind fast. I’m not ready for your mother’s wrath today.”

Leo sat on his bed, mind racing. Why is he feeling this now? He is in love with Kim. There’s no way his feelings changed overnight.

Overnight.

Leo’s eyes widened.

The bachelor party.