11 Chapter 11

“And on that note.” Tom rose to his feet and hugged his sister again. Valeria was close enough to hear him murmur, “I’m sorry she’s so tense tonight. It’s the wedding. You know how some people get around their wedding.”

Jo let the lie stand and hugged her brother. “I’ll get the check. You just take care of Isabelle.”

After the check was paid, the crew staying at the Ritz had to leave too. They piled into the limo and rode back, relaxing a lot more now that the worst was over. “So,” Valeria said with a sigh, as the limopulled away from the curb. “That happened.”

Jo rolled her eyes, but then she smiled. “It was good to see Tom. I wasn’t kidding when I said it had been too long.” She smirked then. “I feel bad about not just smiling and nodding for Izzy, and I’m sorry if I made anything uncomfortable for you in your family. Thanks for defending me, though. I really do appreciate it.”