Summer of Love - Carly Phillips Page 0,30

on her own, he wondered? He didn’t know, but he’d let her change the subject since he was equally interested in what she had to say about Sam.

“I do think it was Ari’s psych background that helped her to realize that Sam liked to test my parents. It was Sam’s way of finding out what would happen. She wanted to know that even if she misbehaved, they wouldn’t give her away.”

He groaned. “She’s really had it tough.” And he was determined to make it better for her.

The challenge would be in accomplishing his goal without hurting this incredible woman in the process.

The parking lot to Paradeisos was less crowded than usual, Zoe thought as she stepped out of the car. She planned on talking Sam out of her snit and the restroom and then returning to her date as soon as possible. With Ryan right behind her, she pushed through the glass doors. Her mother was waiting for her in the vestibule.

“What happened?” Zoe asked. “Did it have something to do with the pig?” She couldn’t imagine anything else that would set Sam off so badly.

“Ask her yourself.” Her mother waved a hand and Zoe walked farther inside.

“Surprise!” The entire Costas clan from up and down the Jersey Shore greeted her in an excited frenzy, and she stepped back in shock.

This morning, she’d attributed the fact that everyone had forgotten her birthday to the fear and commotion over the break-in. She’d called Ari, and they’d wished each other a happy birthday, promising to exchange gifts during the week. Ari was supposed to be going out for dinner with Quinn tonight, while Zoe hadn’t had any special plans until Ryan had called earlier today. She didn’t believe in playing hard to get, not when she really had wanted to go out with him. And, she admitted, she hadn’t wanted to be alone on her thirtieth birthday.

Once in the car with Ryan, she’d enjoyed his company despite the sometimes serious conversation. In truth, she’d been so enticed by his cologne and swept away by thoughts of kissing him again that by the time they’d arrived at the exclusive restaurant he’d chosen, she’d put the birthday out of her mind completely. Then when her mother had called, she’d turned her focus to more important concerns, like Sam.

But she should have known she couldn’t escape a celebration. In her family, every birthday was a big event. Turning thirty was a milestone, more for Zoe than for Ari because Ari was thirty and married. Zoe was the proverbial old maid—something her relatives reminded her with every kiss on the forehead and every loving slap on the cheek, each accompanied by a birthday wish for a handsome young man.

Meddling and all, Zoe loved these people. She hugged the last of her cousins, Daphne who’d stood last in line.

“Happy big one, Zoe.”

She squeezed her cousin tight. “Thanks, Daph,” she said, then glanced around, looking for her twin. No way would the family throw a party for just one of them.

“Where’s Ari?” Zoe asked.

“Right here waiting for my hug.” Ari grinned.

Zoe turned, happy to see her twin and share the party with her. Gone were the days when a little voice in her head wished that just once she could be the center of attention without splitting it with her sister. Those had been her teenage years, but once Ari had left for Vermont, Zoe had come to realize just how much she hated having that particular wish come true.

It wasn’t a birthday if she didn’t celebrate with her twin, Zoe realized now and met her sister’s gaze. “So they ambushed you first?” Zoe asked.

Ari nodded. “Five minutes before you. They wanted to try and manage the surprise at the same time, but Quinn got me here early, just in time to share your surprise. I’m so glad I’m home to celebrate this birthday with you.”

“I was just thinking the same thing.” Zoe’s heart filled as she looked at her twin. If not for Zoe’s fake death last year, Ari might not have come home and healed old wounds at all, Ari might not have met Quinn, Quinn wouldn’t have introduced them to Sam….

Apparently, Zoe’s troublemaking had led to many positive things, she thought with amusement. “None of our birthdays were the same while you were gone.”

“Mine were so lonely,” Ari said softly, then shook her head as if ridding her mind of the past. “But no longer.” She stepped back and grinned. “I’ve got my family, I’ve