Delectable Desire by Farrah Rochon

be out in a minute.”
    The set of her mother’s jaw was so rigid Lorraine wouldn’t be surprised if it broke into a million pieces. Annoyance etched across her face, Abigail pivoted on her designer heels and exited the storage room. Lorraine understood her mother’s plight; she was feeling a fair amount of frustration herself.
    She turned back to the baskets of shower favors and needlessly straightened them. She needed a few minutes more to collect herself before going back out there.
    No, what she really needed was for this shower to be over so that she could go to Carter and smooth things over.
    Lorraine felt an immediate stab of guilt. This was her one and only sister’s bridal shower, and here she was, hiding out in a closet and counting the seconds until she could leave. She should be out there celebrating with Trina, who had been positively glowing from the moment she’d walked into the tearoom.
    There was a soft knock on the door a moment before it opened and her sister walked in. It was that twin thing again. All their lives, all one had to do was think the other’s name, and they somehow appeared.
    “Hey, you,” Trina said. “What’s going on? Why are you in here?”
    “Just checking on the favors,” Lorraine said, motioning to the baskets of crystal wine stoppers and picture frames etched with Trina’s and Jackson’s names and wedding date.
    One of Trina’s brows cocked. “Are you expecting them to grow legs and walk out of here?”
    Her sister, always the smart-ass.
    “Ha-ha,” Lorraine said. “I just needed to get away for a bit. My face ached from all of the smiling.”
    “Now, that I can understand,” Trina said.
    “How so? Aren’t you enjoying yourself? It’s the under-the-sea theme, isn’t it? You don’t like it.”
    “Would you calm down!” Trina put an arm around Lorraine’s shoulders. “I love the theme. I was completely floored when I walked in here. And that cake! It’s unbelievable.”
    “Oh, Trina. I’m so happy you like it.”
    “I didn’t say like. I said that I love it. Thank you so much for all of this.” Her sister squeezed her shoulder and pressed a kiss to Lorraine’s temple. “Now, can you tell me what’s really going on? And not just what has you hiding out in here. I want to know what’s been eating at you lately. You haven’t been yourself for months, Lorraine.”
    “Please don’t ask. You don’t want to know,” Lorraine whispered.
    “I wouldn’t have asked if I didn’t want to know. I would just pretend to be blissfully ignorant and ignore the fact that my best friend in the world hasn’t been herself lately.”
    Lorraine stepped out of her sister’s grasp and turned to her. “If you really want to know, I’m jealous,” she admitted. “Jealous of you and Jackson.”
    A sad smile pulled at Trina’s lips. “I had a feeling that’s what you were going to say.”
    “I’m also...I don’t know...hurt? You’re leaving me, Trina. Who am I going to turn to when Mother and Father start driving me up the wall?”
    “It’s not as if I’m moving to the other side of the world, Lorraine. I’ll still be here in Chicago, just a few minutes away.”
    “But with a new husband, and a new life.” Lorraine shook her head. “I’m sorry. I’m completely ruining your day. But it’s not as if I didn’t warn you,” she pointed out. “I told you not to ask. You’ve always been the hardheaded one who never listens.”
    “Shut up,” her sister said, bringing her in for another hug. “You know that I’m always here for you. Always. And you are more than welcome to crash at our place when Abigail and Arnold start driving you crazy. Just promise you’ll give Jackson and me a heads-up. We are going to be newlyweds, after all. I wouldn’t want you walking in on something you’d rather not see, if you know what I mean.”
    They both burst out laughing. Count on her silly, down-to-earth sister to brighten her mood.
    “Are you ready to go back