Secrets Of The A-List. Yahrah John St.

      Ana tossed her highlighted hair over her shoulder. “What are you going to do? Go run and tattle to Mommy? Oh, wait—” her index finger flew to her ruby lips “—you can’t, because she’s not here.”

      “How could you be so spiteful?” Elana lunged for her aunt.

      * * *

      Thom rose from his seat and caught his fiancée before she reached her tía. He hoped his usually calm, gentle demeanor would be enough to help keep her from panicking, but Elana was agitated. He understood. They’d all stayed up all night searching for her mother and calling everyone they knew while trying not to raise suspicions.

      Elana shrugged him off. “Thom, don’t try to handle me.”

      “I wasn’t trying to handle you,” Thom said softly. “I was just trying to help.” He stepped away from her, forlorn. When he glanced up, he found Rafe’s eyes staring at him, watching him. It wasn’t the first time he’d caught his soon-to-be brother-in-law staring at him, and it made Thom uncomfortable, so he looked away. Ever since that night together, Thom had tried to keep his distance and not send Rafe mixed messages. They were back to being friends now, even playing tennis from time to time. Thom had made his choice, and he’d chosen Elana.

      “How about some coffee and scones?” Joy, their live-in chef, asked cheerfully as she entered the room, wearing a white chef’s coat and khakis.

      “We can’t think of food at a time like this,” Elana huffed as Joy passed by her with a carafe of coffee, mugs and a tray of her famous scones. “My God, it’s almost a week before my wedding, and I could very well be an orphan if this keeps up.”