Sweet as Honey (The Seven Sisters) - By Caitlyn Robertson Page 0,11

you is never going to end well. I’m just thankful he found out she was lying in time. She thoroughly deserved what she got, and I don’t think anyone blames Dex for jilting her at the altar.”

He kissed her forehead. “But what you two have is completely different. He loves you—I can see it in his eyes. He suggested you wait until your wedding night because he wants to prove to you that he respects you, and to remove the shadow of everything he’s been through before. This way there’s no worry that the two of you are getting together for anything except the desire to be together.”

Damn it. She’d tried so hard to be the strong one and yet here her father was again, comforting her. Why was she always so frickin’ needy?

She smiled brightly. “I know. I shouldn’t worry. And I am looking forward to it, very much.” She cleared her throat. “How are the other girls? Have you seen them much today?”

He shrugged. “Missy’s Missy. You know what she’s like. Belle seems okay. Daisy would never show it, even if she was upset. Jas went out to Whangarei early so I haven’t seen her, although she texted to check on me and said she was fine. Lily’s the only one I really worry about.”

Honey nodded. “Me too. I’ll have a chat to her tonight when I get back from the movies.”

He smiled. “You’re so like your mother. Anyone would think you were the eldest. But don’t worry too much. Concentrate on your big day on Saturday, eh?”

“Yeah.” She grabbed his hand. “Come on, then. Dex will be wondering where I’ve got to.”

She led him back into the kitchen to find it empty and the table tops clean. Voices echoed from the café, so they walked through. Jude had arrived, and he sat on the table next to the one where the others were sitting, Belle and Missy either side of him, Daisy leaning against the counter, arms crossed.

“…get him drunk and then wax his eyebrows,” Jude was saying, and the others laughed. He was obviously talking about taking Koru out for his birthday. She was pleased they were going out. Her brother’s previous birthday had been non-existent, and they’d all been aware that every birthday after that would be tainted with the memory of their mother dying on the same day. Koru had been a rock for the family and a massive support for their father, and he deserved to have a bit of fun.

“If my eyebrows are getting waxed, you’re getting a Brazilian,” Koru commented.

Jude grinned, saw Cam in the doorway and raised a hand. “Hey, Mr. Summers.”

“Hey, Jude.”

As usual, whenever anybody said those words, they all broke out into the Beatles’ song and sang a few lines before falling into laughter. Honey smiled. The inimitable Jude would make sure Koru had a good time. Okay, so it would probably involve Jude plying him with too much alcohol and finding his best mate a nameless blonde for the night before finding himself a nameless brunette, but for once she didn’t care. There would be plenty of time for them all to grow up, and her siblings deserved a bit of fun.

“Sure you don’t want to come with us, Honey?” Jude asked her wickedly. “We’ll find you a stud on the dance floor, some dude who’ll make sure everything’s working before this loser finally gets around to sorting you out.” He gestured at the groom-to-be.

Honey blushed. Dex gave him the finger. Everyone else started laughing, and Cam rolled his eyes and went behind the counter to finish tidying up.

“Are the rest of you going?” Honey asked her sisters, trying to distract attention from her hot cheeks.

“We are,” said the twins together. That pleased Honey. Koru wouldn’t drink too much if the girls were with him.

“We’re heading off,” Daisy said, nodding at Reuben. Chase scowled, but they both ignored him. How long would it be before he gave up? He was like a puppy dog trailing around, Honey thought. She knew Daisy had feelings for him, maybe even loved him, although Daisy would never confide that to her. But no way would her ambitious, materialistic sister settle for anything less than a guy with his own house, car and lucrative career. Although she still handled the business side of things at Matariki, her life was now in Auckland. Chase wasn’t even in the picture anymore, and the sooner he came to terms with that, the better it would